News – Page 488

PNoy to join LP proclamation rally, says spokesman

News

Feb 012013

PNoy to join LP proclamation rally, says spokesman

Barring a last-minute change in plans, President Benigno Aquino III is to attend the proclamation rally of the administration coalition’s senatorial bets in Manila on Feb. 12, a member of the ruling Liberal Party said Saturday. Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone on Saturday said Aquino will participate in the event, which he said is “historic” for the LP as it will be held at Plaza Miranda. “’Yan ang pagkakaalam ko, dadalo siya … Base sa ating discussion sa leaders ng LP, siya ay sasama at makikiisa sa proclamation rally,” Evardone said on government-run dzRB radio. Also, he said the Plaza Miranda venue is significant for the LP as it was where a deadly bombing occurred in 1971 – during a political campaign rally of the LP. Aquino has been taking part in the early campaign of the administration coalition’s senatorial bets – in the coalition’s television ads, he hinted some candidates claim to be supporting him but are merely posing. He then named the coalition’s senatorial bets – some of them from the Nacionalista Party and Nationalist People’s Coalition. — LBG, GMA News

Palace: Efforts to bring home to PHL Aman Futures boss continue

News

Feb 012013

Palace: Efforts to bring home to PHL Aman Futures boss continue

Malacañang on Saturday said efforts are still being undertaken to bring home Manuel Amalilio, the suspected brains behind a P12-billion investment pyramiding scam, amid rumors that he was a nephew of a top official of Sabah. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace has yet to verify the supposed ties between Amalilio and the chief minister of Sabah’s Chief Minister Musa Aman. “We don’t have any verification to that effect, but only the assurance the Philippine side will continue to work with local police authorities for his deportation to the country,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. When asked what the government will do if Amalilio is indeed related to Aman, Valte said, “we don’t at this point want to speculate on that particular allegation.” She declined to comment further on the supposed ties of Amalilio to Aman, saying she would defer to the Justice, Foreign Affairs and Interior departments. The Philippines will continue working with local authorities “to do whatever we can to ensure his return,” she added. “As far as we are concerned, we submitted all the documentation required primarily to prove Amalilio is a Filipino citizen,” she added. On Saturday, a report on The Philippine Star had quoted Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as saying Amalilio is a nephew of Aman. Anwar alleged that Amalilio’s mother is Musa’s first cousin, and that Amalilio’s real name is Kamal bin Said, born in Beaufort, Sabah. However, Anwar was also quoted as saying Amalilio is married to a Filipina, Read More …

Binay, DFA thank Saudi king

News

Feb 012013

FREEDOM FOR DOOMED PINOYBy Jerome Aning Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:53 am | Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 Rodelio Celestino Lanuza. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday expressed the Philippine government’s gratitude to Saudi King Abdullah for donating the P24.9-million balance for the “blood money” needed for the release of Filipino death convict Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza. “I’m happy to relate that our compatriot has been saved from the execution. This is because of the kindness of King Abdullah,” Binay, concurrent presidential adviser of OFW affairs, said. In a press conference at the Coconut Palace, the Vice President’s official residence, Binay said the government had been quietly working for the release of Lanuza, who was sentenced to death in 2000 in Damman, Saudi Arabia for killing a Saudi national. Lanuza claimed it was an act of self-defense. The Vice President said the King’s gesture of goodwill “once again affirms the strong ties of friendship and brotherhood between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Saudi government’s “humanitarian gesture” would pave the way for the issuance of the affidavit of forgiveness (tanazul) in Lanuza’s favor, thus formally saving him from execution. “This positive development is a result of the tireless effort and steadfast commitment of Filipinos working together. We hope that as soon as all legal procedures are completed, Mr. Lanuza will finally be reunited with his family,” Del Rosario said in a statement. Del Rosario did Read More …

US sub’s visit has Palace OK

News

Feb 012013

By Michael Lim Ubac Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:21 am | Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 ‘TOM CLANCY’S SUB’ The USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is scheduled to arrive in Subic Bay Friday for a routine port visit. This stop in Subic will permit the Cheyenne to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. Cheyenne is the primary subject of Tom Clancy’s novel “SNN,” a fictional war over the Spratlys. PHOTO FROM US EMBASSY INFORMATION OFFICE MANILA, Philippines—The port visit of the USS Cheyenne, a nuclear attack submarine belonging to the US Pacific Fleet, has been cleared with Malacañang. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte said that although Cheyenne is a “nuclear-powered submarine,” this does not necessarily mean that it is carrying nuclear warheads. The Cheyenne arrived on Friday at the former US naval base on Subic Bay, Zambales, for a “routine port visit,” according to the US Embassy. The US Embassy in Manila did not say how long the 110-meter-long submarine would stay in the Philippines. But Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair Roberto Garcia said the USS Cheyenne would be in Subic for a week. At a briefing in the Palace, Valte clarified that the port visit was not violative of the constitutional ban on the presence of any nuclear armaments in the country. Nuke-powered “Just to clarify, the Constitution prohibits nuclear armaments, not nuclear-powered (vessels). So this is nuclear-powered and this has diplomatic clearance of the DFA, in consultation with Read More …

Pope names Tagle to 2 key councils in Vatican

News

Feb 012013

Pope names Tagle to 2 key councils in Vatican

12:23 am | Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Two months after his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has been appointed to two key councils in the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday named Tagle a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which deals with pro-life issues, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. The five other prelates who became cardinal in November together with Tagle were also given new assignments in the Vatican curia. “According to the Catholic News Agency, [the cardinals, while keeping their main jobs, can] bring their experience and perspective to bear on the discussions and decisions of the central church offices that assist the Pontiff,” a report posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news website said. “As member of the two Rome-based offices, Tagle may attend the councils’ important meetings and receive regular correspondence from Rome on matters that need consensus,” the report said. Family council According to the Vatican website, the Pontifical Council for the Family is responsible for the promotion of the pastoral ministry and apostolate for the family, dealing with issues related to responsible procreation, and the defense of human life “in all stages of its existence, from conception to natural death.” The council also deals with sex education, demographics, contraception and abortion; sterilization, ethical and pastoral problems related to AIDS and other problems of bioethics; legislation regarding Read More …

PH thanks Saudi Arabia for P25M ‘blood money’ to save doomed OFW

News

Feb 012013

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 7:38 pm | Friday, February 1st, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine government on Friday thanked the Saudi government for its decision to shoulder nearly P25 million in blood money for jailed Filipino worker Rodelio Celestino Lanuza, saying the act affirmed the strong ties between the two countries. “On behalf of President Aquino, we would like to express our most sincere thanks to His Excellency King Abdullah for his gesture of kindness. This gesture once again affirms the strong ties of friendship and brotherhood between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Vice President Jejomar Binay said in a statement Friday. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that its government had made a directive for the payment of the balance of 2.3 million Saudi Riyals for handing over to the heirs of the victims of Lanuza, who had admitted to stabbing an Arab out of self-defense in June 2000 and was sentenced in 2002 to death by beheading. In February 2011, the Philippine government and the Saudi Reconciliation Committee in Dammam helped him secure forgiveness from the offended family. The family required a diyya or compensation worth P35 million. The embassy noted that the family had filed an appeal to the Saudi government after paying an initial 700,000 riyals (P7.6 million). In his statement, Binay also apologized for being elusive and not readily answering questions regarding the state of Lanuza’s case for the past years, saying that the cases of Lanuza and other Filipinos’ Read More …

Despite Palace pronouncement, De Lima says FOI law within reach

News

Jan 312013

Despite Palace pronouncement, De Lima says FOI law within reach

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday told leaders of foreign parliaments that the Philippines is getting closer to enacting a law on better access to government records. De Lima made the pronouncement despite President Benigno Aquino III being lukewarm to the idea of certifying as urgent the current Freedom of Information (FOI) measure pending in Congress. Speaking at the 5th Global Organization of Parliaments Against Corruption (GOPAC) in Pasay City, De Lima emphasized the importance of having a law that guarantees the public of free access to government records. “Freedom of information is the most effective modality to prevent corruption… [and can] make government officials accountable to any wrongdoing,” De Lima said during the event held at the Philippine International Convention Center. “A freedom of information act is very much within our reach,” she added. This was in stark contrast to a pronouncement made by presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Thursday that Aquino has no plans on certifying as urgent the current FOI bill, a version of which has been passed in the Senate but remains on second reading at the House of Representatives. “We want a healthy debate [first]. Whether [it’s] this Congress, or the next Congress, we want a healthy debate to take place. That’s what we want and in fairness to all constituents, let’s have a healthy debate… and let’s take it from there,” Lacierda said. He also said that the public can be assured of government transparency even with the absence of a freedom of Read More …

Comelec to retain aggregate airtime for candidates

News

Jan 312013

Comelec to retain aggregate airtime for candidates

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to keep the shorter or aggregate time limit on the advertisement of candidates for the May elections, poll chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Friday. “Pina-finalize na namin,” he said, referring to Resolution 9615. “We will retain the aggregate [time limit with some changes in right of reply,” Brillantes told reporters. Interviewed at the sideline of the retirement ceremony for Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Armand Velasco, Brillantes said he expects to see the final copy of the resolution within the day so Sarmiento and Velasco, who will retire on February 2, will be able to sign it. He said the amended resolution may be released on Monday. GMA Network Inc. and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas have earlier asked the Comelec to reconsider its resolution. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News

PAGASA: Diffused tail-end of cold front to bring rain to parts of Luzon

News

Jan 312013

PAGASA: Diffused tail-end of cold front to bring rain to parts of Luzon

The diffused tail-end of a cold front may bring rain to parts of Northern and Central Luzon on Friday, state weather forecasters said. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the diffused tail-end of a cold front is particularly affecting the Northern Luzon area. “Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the regions of Ilocos and Cordillera will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,” it said. Also, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Meanwhile, strong to gale force winds associated with easterly and northeasterly winds may affect the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. “Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said. — LBG, GMA News

PHL hacktivists hint at Feb. 6 anti-cybercrime law protest

News

Jan 312013

PHL hacktivists hint at Feb. 6 anti-cybercrime law protest

Philippine-based hacktivists on Thursday hinted at a protest action against the Anti-Cybercrime Law on Feb. 6, the day the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order on the measure lapses. In a post on its social networking accounts, Anonymous-affiliated Private X issued guidelines to participants but did not post details of where the protest will be held. “Asahan nyo kami sa mga darating na araw sa cyberspace, sana maasahan din namin kayo sa February 6, 2013 (Expect us in the coming days in cyberspace, but we also expect you to join us on Feb. 6, 2013),” it said. The group also said it does not need a permit for its physical protest. “Hindi natin kailangan ng permit dahil ang ANONYMOUS ay Free at di Grupo (We do not need a permit. Anonymous is free and is not a group),” it said. Feb. 6 is the day the high court’s TRO against the Anti-Cybercrime Law of 2012 lapses. Hacktivists had joined protests against the law for its provisions regarding e-libel, which they said violates the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of expression. Last year, some hacktivists attacked government websites to protest the law but stopped when some of the sites attacked turned out to be providing critical weather data. The Private X post also gave guidelines to its participants: – No violence, No weapons, No graffiti, destruction, or vandalism, Anonymous is legion. – Never be alone. Know the dress code. – Cover your face (Use scarves, hats and sunglasses. Masks are not necessary). – Read More …

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