Lawyer: NBI to submit Luy’s digital files to Senate

 Entertainment
May 232014
 
Lawyer: NBI to submit Luy’s digital files to Senate

Blue Ribbon Committee chair, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima reconcile after Guingona earlier admits being “disappointed” for not bringing whistle blowers during the pork barrel scam probe at the Senate on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2013). Both parties shake hands after. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The camp of Benhur Luy on Wednesday said it will leave it up to the National Bureau of Investigation to submit to the Senate the digital files of the principal whistleblower on the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam. This was according to Luy’s legal counsel Raji Mendoza, when asked when their camp plans to comply with a subpoena issued last week by the Senate blue ribbon committee requiring them to hand over the files. “We will be complying through the proper protocol on evidence which is to submit an authenticated copy of the files,” Mendoza said. He said the authenticated files would be coming from the NBI, which earlier obtained a copy of them from the Luy family for its investigation on the multi-billion-peso diversion of Priority Development Assistance Fund and Malampaya gas fund. “We have already coordinated with the NBI and we have already informed the Senate blue ribbon committee that the digital files will be coming from the NBI,” said Mendoza. The subpoena for the digital files came on the heels of an earlier subpoena for alleged fund mess mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles’ affidavit and list of individuals said to be involved in the scam. Justice Secretary Leila de Read More …

GMA Worldwide Inc., showcasing the Kapuso brand to the world

 Entertainment
May 232014
 
GMA Worldwide Inc., showcasing the Kapuso brand to the world

GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI) continues to showcase the best of what the Kapuso Network has to offer by participating in various TV content markets all over the world. Over the years, GWI – being the global content distribution and acquisition arm of GMA Network – has opened doors of new opportunities for Kapuso programs and artists through content development partnerships and international distribution deals. In April, GWI participated in the biggest gathering of entertainment industry professionals, the MipTV Market Exhibit in Cannes, France. Here, top television execs and creative talents from 100 countries had the chance to preview some of the Network’s latest programs for international licensing; among them Carmela, The Borrowed Wife, Rhodora X, Innamorata, Kambal Sirena, Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw and Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig. Jocelyn Go, GWI Assistant Vice President for Sales and Marketing, noted on the positive response for Kapuso programs, “Buyers and other TV groups predominantly radiate positive and enthusiastic reactions when presented with GMA programs. This is an acknowledgment of the high standard and improving quality of our products.” “Equally significant are the great relationships we have built with the other companies who attend these markets with us because their positive opinions are a reflection of GWI’s reputation and standing with our international partners,” she added. Aside from MipTV, GWI also hosted a booth at the NATPE conference in Miami, Florida. Titles that were highlighted include Katipunan, Titser, The Politician (Bayan Ko), and Love Sonata. GWI likewise established a strong presence at DISCOP West Asia in Read More …

Court denies Napoles appeal to extend hospital stay

 Entertainment
May 232014
 
Court denies Napoles appeal to extend hospital stay

A doctor checks the condition of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame on Wednesday, February 26. Napoles, alleged mastermind in the P10-B pork barrel scam, has been diagnosed to have ovarian cyst.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A Makati court on Tuesday denied the appeal of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to extend her stay at Ospital ng Makati where she underwent surgery last month. In a two-page order, Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda said Napoles should be brought back to her detention cell in Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna on or before May 23 Alameda ordered the Philippine National Police to provide adequate security for the transfer. Earlier, Napoles’ camp asked the court anew to extend her hospitalization, this time to allow her to finish her affidavit to be submitted to the Ombudsman. During the hearing, Alameda said he is set to decide on Napoles’ motion to extend her stay at the Ospital ng Makati, earlier filed by her camp. “There is no more medical or clinical reason for the extended stay of Janet Lim Napoles. It is also safe to transfer her to Fort Sto. Domingo and it is ready to receive Napoles. This motion is deemed submitted for resolution,” he said. But Napoles’ counsel, lawyer Stephen David, said there is a need for Napoles to stay in the hospital to be able to finish her affidavit. He said Fort Sto. Domingo is not a good place Read More …

Sarah enjoying her lovelife, at last!

 General
May 232014
 
Sarah enjoying her lovelife, at last!

Sarah Geronimo and boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli  with Ryan Agoncillo and wife Judy Ann Santos during an outing over the weekend. — PHOTO FROM RYAN’S INSTAGRAM The picture of Sarah Geronimo with boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli and her friends Judy Ann Santos and husband Ryan Agoncillo (who posted it on his Instagram) has generated an approving reaction, especially from Sarah’s fans and people who genuinely care for and love her. The question is: Has Sarah finally (finally!!!) gotten the blessing from her parents (particularly her over-protective mom Divine) to enjoy her long-delayed lovelife? It’s about time since Sarah is turning 26 on July 25. According to Funfare’s VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), the picture (showing the foursome flashing wide smiles) was taken during a race “held in the south” which the group watched. “Matteo was supposed to join the race but he wasn’t feeling well,” said the VDPA, “so he decided to just watch it with Juday and Ryan who are from the south and Sarah gladly joined but she was able to watch only the tailend of the race.” It must be recalled that Sarah and Juday are good friends. It was Juday who was among the few friends who offered a shoulder for Sarah to cry on when she was having problems with Rayver Cruz (the boyfriend she almost but never had because he was reportedly to be “two-timing” Sarah who didn’t know that Rayver was also courting, or going secretly steady, with Cristine Reyes). “Sunday, May 18, was a Read More …

Whistleblower's affidavit tags Abad, Revilla Sr.

 News
May 232014
 
Whistleblower's affidavit tags Abad, Revilla Sr.

An affidavit of one of the whistleblowers in the pork barrel scam appeared to corroborate alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles’ allegation that Budget Secretary Florencio Abad was one of her first conspirators in Congress when he was still Batanes congressman. According to a report on GMA News “24 Oras”, an affidavit executed in November 2013 by former Napoles employee Merlina Suñas indicated that Abad was one of the House members that transacted with Napoles between 1997 and 1999. Under Napoles’ scheme, lawmakers get fat kickbacks from Napoles after they channel their priority development assistance fund allocations to her fake non-government organizations. “Noong 1997 to 1999, isa si Cong. Abad, ngayon ay Secretary ng Department of Budget and Management,” read Suñas affidavit in response to a question on the identities of the congressmen to whom she was referring. Abad has previously denied transacting with Napoles and claimed that he is being implicated in the pork scam to destroy the credibility of the Aquino administration. Suñas’ November 2013 affidavit also identified the Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sr., as the first senator Napoles dealt with in connection with the pork barrel scam. “Una naming naging client si former Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. Si Sen. Revilla Sr. pinakilala sa amin si Atty. Richard Cambe, isa sa mga staff niya na humahawak ng kanyang PDAF,” Suñas said in her affidavit. Suñas said it was Revilla, Sr., that endorsed his son, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., to the Napoles group when he became senator in 2004. Read More …

US Pacific Command chief backs PHL on code of conduct 

 News
May 232014
 
US Pacific Command chief backs PHL on code of conduct 

The commander of the United States Pacific Command has indicated support for the Philippines’ call for a binding code of conduct among parties in the disputed territories in the South China Sea, GMA News “24 Oras” reported on Friday. “The US position has been, you need a baseline to maintain the status quo, which was in the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea) and not to move forward from that until there’s been a legal ability to look at this,” said US Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear III in one of the sessions of the just-concluded World Economic Forum on East Asia. The report quoted Locklear as saying complications in the disputed territories would have been prevented if a binding code of conduct had already been adopted. China in 2002 signed a non-binding declaration with ASEAN member-countries including the Philippines, indicating among others that the parties agree not to build structures in the disputed areas to prevent increasing tension in the region. However, China has recently undertaken reclamation work in the Johnson Reef or what the Philippines calls the Mabini Reef.   The Philippines on Friday urged neighboring countries to hasten the adoption of a Code of Conduct  that will serve as a rules-based guiding principle for countries regarding their activities in the disputed areas west of the archipelago. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Del Rosario stressed before thousands of business and political leaders from around the world the urgency to come Read More …

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