Palace exec: SolGen Jardeleza ‘very’ qualified for SC justice post 

 News
Mar 212014
 
Palace exec: SolGen Jardeleza ‘very’ qualified for SC justice post 

While saying the decision is up to the Judicial and Bar Council, a Malacañang official on Friday said Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza is “very qualified” for the soon-to-be vacated post of Supreme Court Associate Justice Roberto Abad. “He’s very qualified. His years in practice as a private practitioner and also now as Solicitor General, and previously as Deputy Ombudsman… his record speaks for itself,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press conference in Malacañang. Jardeleza is among the 14 candidates vying for the post of Abad, who will retire in May. Lacierda said he can vouch for Jardeleza since they have “worked more directly” with him as the lawyer of the executive branch. Earlier, however, the Palace official said Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido Tan is also competent enough to vie for the post. “With respect to Chairman Grace Tan, again, her record also speaks for itself,” he said on Friday. But Lacierda quickly noted that they will just wait for the decision of the JBC. “Labas kami diyan sa pagpili kasi nasa JBC pa… they will still whittle down the list to a certain number,” he said. “The President normally keeps a distance until such time that the final list is submitted to him… he takes time to sit down with the nominees and interview them and assess and guage those in the list,” he added. The JBC is the body constitutionally mandated to create a shortlist of nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary, the Office Read More …

Napoles back in Laguna detention after checkup due to abdominal pain

 News
Mar 212014
 
Napoles back in Laguna detention after checkup due to abdominal pain

Alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles was brought back to her detention cell at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna after attending a court hearing and undergoing a checkup at Ospital ng Makati due to abdominal pain. A staff of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 said Napoles left OsMak past 3 in the afternoon. “Pinaverify ni Judge (Elmo Alameda), kaaalis lang daw sa OsMak ni Napoles mga 15 minutes ago,” a staff told GMA News Online over the phone. Napoles was brought to the hospital around noon after attending the hearing on her motion to undergo medical surgery and confinement at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global.   During the hearing, Napoles personally appealed to the court to allow her to have an operation in a hospital of her choice with a doctor also of her choice. But Judge Alameda said Napoles should remember that she cannot exercise her civil and political rights in full because she is a detained person. The court is expected to issue its resolution on the motion next week and if granted, the surgery will most likely be conducted at Ospital ng Makati. Napoles is currently detained in Laguna for a serious illegal detention case. She is also facing plunder charges at the Ombudsman for allegedly masterminding a P10-billion pork barrel scam. Through her non-government organizations, Napoles is accused of funneling lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel, to ghost projects. — RSJ, GMA News

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 …

14 online fashion stores, from cheap to couture, for Hong Kong shoppers

 General
Mar 202014
 
14 online fashion stores, from cheap to couture, for Hong Kong shoppers

Hong Kong is known for its shopping and for being a hip and fun place – yet it’s still surprising just how mant diverse and awesome online shopping choices there are in the city. There’s a funky mix of Hong Kong-based tech startups and fashion labels that are doing interesting things with ecommerce. Many of them not only sell in Hong Kong but have also expanded across the region. Plus, this list will also look into some big-bucks ecommerce companies that are accessible to clothes shoppers in the territory. Let’s start – thanks to guidance and inspiration from StartupsHK and SassyHongKong – with the less well-known ones: This online fashion boutique features a growing array of emerging designers and brands – over 60 of them. About 10 of those are from Hong Kong, but the couture selection is from around the world. Featuring womenswear, menswear, and the now obligatory ‘lookbook’ section, this startup is a great blend of startup ecommerce and upstart fashion designers. The Hong Kong-based site can be changed to Chinese, English, or French, and supports payment with one of nine currencies. Also based in Hong Kong, ZaoZao is described by its founders as Kickstarter meets Fab meets Moda Operandi. The idea is that young designers post projects to ZaoZao and garner support for production through crowdfunding. Once the funding goal is reached, production starts and backers get the fashion items that they supported. The site launched in September 2012. When we talked to co-founder Vicky Wu in Read More …

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