Fil-Am Rob Villeza appointed judge to Los Angeles Superior Court

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
Fil-Am Rob Villeza appointed judge to Los Angeles Superior Court

Attorney Rob Villeza Los Angeles, CA – The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) congratulates Assistant United States Attorney Rob Villeza on his appointment to the Los Angeles Superior Court.  On November 12, 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed Judge Villeza to a judgeship in the largest unified trial court in the United States. Judge Villeza was the recipient of PABA’s Trailblazer of the Year Award in 2013.  “Judge Villeza’s appointment is deeply significant to us,” said Hildy Aguinaldo, PABA President.  “As a skillful and experienced lawyer committed to public service and justice, he represents the very best of our community.  We are extremely pleased that Governor Brown appointed a well-qualified and ethical attorney to serve as a judicial officer in Los Angeles County, one of the most challenging, dynamic, and diverse communities in the nation, as well as the home of more than half a million Filipino Americans.” Judge Villeza has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California for more than twenty years.  A veteran federal prosecutor, he is currently the Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Section, where he prosecutes and investigates drug trafficking and money laundering cases.  As Deputy Chief, he also supervises and mentors numerous prosecutors, law students, and interns. The trajectory of Judge Villeza’s path to the Superior Court bench exemplifies the American Dream.  His humble beginnings are both distinctly Filipino American and Californian.  Raised by Filipino American parents in Echo Park, he was the first Read More …

PAGCOR to fund titling of lands used as public school sites

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
PAGCOR to fund titling of lands used as public school sites

(photo courtesy of www..pagcor.ph) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker has filed a measure mandating the Philippine Games and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) to appropriate funds to support the titling of all lands being utilized as public school sites. In filing House Resolution 1652, Rep. Gavino C. Pancho (2nd District, Bulacan) said the Department of Education (DepEd) is using many properties as sites for public schools nationwide without legal ownership. Pancho said majority of these school sites, which are owned by the local government units or leased from private individuals, lack the proper legal documentation to support any efforts by DepEd on the transfer of ownership. “There are also parcels of lands, which were verbally donated and similarly lack the proper legal documents to support the land transfer of ownership,” Pancho said. “Upon the death of the donors their heirs claim ownership of the land resulting to court litigation, with most of these cases now pending in the court while some have reportedly been subjected to or pending demolition,” Pancho added. Pancho said the State should to provide all lands being utilized by the DepEd as public school sites with legitimate titles. “PAGCOR which is an active responsible and responsive partner of the government in nation-building programs should support the mandatory titling of all lands being utilized as public school sites and the registration of these real properties with the Registry of Deeds under the name of the Department of Education,” Pancho said. (MNS)

Walang Pasok: List of areas that have suspended classes on Dec. 6

 News
Dec 052014
 
Walang Pasok: List of areas that have suspended classes on Dec. 6

The following areas have declared class suspensions on December 6. Keep checking back on this page for updates: All Levels: – Cavite – Laguna – Rizal – Bohol – Siquijor – Bais, Negros Oriental – Bayawan, Negros Oriental – Guihulngan, Negros Oriental – Dumaguete, Negros Oriental – Danao, Cebu – Bogo, Cebu – Carcar, Cebu Preschool to High School: – Naga City College: – University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban

Military peacekeepers given a clean bill of health

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
Military peacekeepers given a clean bill of health

— Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia leave Caballo Island on Tuesday after undergoing a 21-day quarantine. The soldiers, who had to be quarantined before being cleared of the dreaded Ebola virus, will undergo 2 more days of tests before reuniting with their families. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The 107 military members of the 18th Philippine Contingent to Liberia were all given a clean bill of health following a routine medical screening at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center. Medical examinations started around 10 p.m. Tuesday and ended 3 a.m. Wednesday, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said. Cabunoc said that the peacekeepers arrived at the AFP Medical Center around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Earlier, the Philippine Navy announced that the peacekeepers, who were transported by the BRP Dagupan (LC-551) from Caballo Island, arrived at Naval Station Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The vessel and its passengers left Caballo Island around 3 p.m., of the same day. During their arrival, they were greeted by Joint Task Group Liberia commander Capt.Luz Camacho. After greetings, the Caballo Island returnees where all transported by military buses to the AFP Medical Center. All 107 peacekeepers were found to be clear of any disease or ailments, Cabunoc said. He said that the medical screening is standard procedure for all returning Filipino peacekeepers. After their medical screening, the 107 military personnel were immediately taken to the AFP Peacekeeping Operation Center barracks where they are now resting. Earlier, the Read More …

Leni Robredo: House version of FOI stronger than the Senate’s

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
Leni Robredo: House version of FOI stronger than the Senate’s

Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Robredo (right) and Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Joseph Allan Dilay inspect on Tuesday a train that will be used in the PNR service to Calamba. The railway extension project will serve an additional 3,000 to 5,000 passengers daily. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Members of the House committee on Public Information will push for the Senate’s adoption of the lower chamber’s version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, saying it is stronger than the counterpart measure passed by senators. Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo said that there were several similarities between the Senate and the House’s versions of the bill, one of the details which set the latter apart from the former is the inclusion of an open data provision that requires the government to upload on the Open Data Philippines website datasets generated in the implementation of agency mandates, programs, activities, and projects. “Palagay po namin mas malakas [ang bersyon ng House ng FOI] dahil binibigyan nito ng mas malaking obligasyon ang gobyerno na i-publicize ‘yung information na kailangan ng publiko. Napakahalaga sa bicam na mailagay ‘yung open data provision dahil pag nangyari ito, tayo ang unang bansa sa mundo na sabay na ang paglabas ng FOI at open data [law],” she told reporters in a press conference Wednesday. The panel passed the FOI bill last month after deliberating on the measure for almost a year in the technical working group. The proposed legislation was heralded by the committee members as Read More …

Drilon accuser claims P740-M ICC initially estimated to cost only P200-M

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
Drilon accuser claims P740-M ICC initially estimated to cost only P200-M

SENATE INQUIRY ON ICC: Senate President Franklin Drilon (left) denies he has anything to do with the bidding for the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center. “To set the record straight, I had nothing to do with the bidding for the project. I did not participate in the constitution of the Bids and Awards Committee. I did not interfere with any part of the bidding process, nor did I nominate or appoint the winning bidder,”Drilon told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the convention center. Also in photo is Senator Teogisto “TG” Guingona III, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The construction and development of the controversial Iloilo Convention Center was initially estimated to cost only P200 million, the accuser of Senate President Franklin Drilon said Wednesday as he submitted to a Senate panel the deed of donation which he claims will prove that the construction of the building was overpriced. Manuel Mejorada, former Iloilo provincial administrator and staff of Drilon, said that based on the document which he obtained on December 1, the property developer Megaworld Corporation will provide the land while the government will put up the amount of P200 million to build the ICC. He earlier filed with the Ombudsman plunder and charges against Drilon, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and several other officials over the alleged rigging and overpricing in Read More …

Ejay, Ellen Adarna to heat up new soap

 Entertainment
Dec 052014
 
Ejay, Ellen Adarna to heat up new soap

Ejay Falcon (MNS PHOTO) Actor Ejay Falcon has already started working on his upcomimng series “Pasion de Amor,” which also stars Coleen Garcia, Arci Muñoz, Ellen Adarna and Jake Cuenca. “Nakapag-taping na po kami matagal na. Hinintay lang po namin si Jake Cuenca nakabalik na siya,” Falcon told reporters. In the series, a remake of the Colombian telenovela, Falcon will have Adarna as his leading lady. “Ito ang pinakabago sa akin masasabi ko na grey charater siya pero ito ibang iba. Napanood niyo naman siguro. Napanood ko dati hindi pa ako artista noon, alam ko na din ang kwento,” Falcon said. Falcon said he really prepared for the new series and admitted that one of the requirements of the show is to have a sexy body. “Matagal na pong pinaghandaan ito at ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy na. Paglabas ko pa lang ng ‘PBB ‘na cast na ako dito, 2009. Pinaghandaan namin, hindi lang ako, lahat kami pinaghandaan namin at yun ang unang requirement sa show na kailangan maganda po talaga ang katawan,” he said. Falcon said they are hoping to air ‘Pasion de Amor’ early next year.(MNS)

Espina to take charge of PNP until Tuesday

 News
Dec 052014
 
Espina to take charge of PNP until Tuesday

Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina will be the PNP’s officer in charge while Director General Alan Purisima is away. Espina, deputy chief for operations,  will take over as OIC from Dec. 6 to 9, radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported. On Thursday, the Ombudsman ordered Purisima suspended for six months in connection with a supposed anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier service in 2011. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

De Lima to Laude camp: Let prosecutor resolve murder complaint

 News
Dec 052014
 
De Lima to Laude camp: Let prosecutor resolve murder complaint

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday warned the camp of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude against calling the prosecutor handling the case unfair and biased without basis. De Lima reminded the Laude family and their legal counsel Harry Roque Jr that the murder complaint being handled by Olongapo City prosecutor Emily de los Santos has already been submitted for resolution. “Attorney Harry should be careful in insinuating unfairness on DOJ’s part and imputing bias or partiality on the part of CP (city prosecutor) Millet (de los Santos)… without clear and sufficient basis to back up such claims,” she said. “[De los Santos] should be left alone in resolving the merits of said case,” De Lima added. Prosecutor General Claro Arellano had earlier said there was “no ground for [the] inhibition” of state prosecutor Emily de los Santos as requested by the Laude camp. “No ground for inhibition. Bias [is a] mere allegation,” said Arellano. Roque was earlier quoted in reports as saying that they would ask the DOJ to take De los Santos off the case for allegedly taking orders from the United States government. Roque claimed De los Santos has been hostile to the Laude family since the start of the preliminary investigation in Olongapo City. On Friday, De Lima said Arellano was merely reacting to media reports quoting Roque’s plan to move for De Los Santos’ inhibition from the case. “Apparently, PG  (prosecutor general) did by making a general statement that there is no basis or Read More …

CA affirms ruling allowing Manila court to push through with Pestaño trial

 General
Dec 052014
 
CA affirms ruling allowing Manila court to push through with Pestaño trial

The Court of Appeals has affirmed its earlier decision allowing a Manila court to continue hearing the murder case against 10 Navy officers and enlisted personnel accused in the death of Ensign Philip Andrew Pestaño in September 1995. In a two-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Ramon Bato Jr, the CA’s former Seventeenth Division denied a motion for reconsideration filed by the accused seeking to reverse a June 17 ruling of the CA siding with the Manila Regional Trial Court. “Acting on the motion for reconsideration… against the resolution of this Court dated June 17, 2014 which denied outright the petition for certiorari on the grounds stated therein, the arguments advanced by the petitioners are the very same arguments in their petition for certiorari, all of which had been duly considered and resolved by the Court,” the CA said. “It would be an exercise in futility to be repeating our discussion thereof,” it added. Pestaño was found dead aboard the BRP Bacolod City docked off Manila in 1995. While a supposed suicide note was found on his body, his family suspected foul play. The ensign’s father Felipe claimed his son had discovered the BRP Bacolod was supposedly used to deliver illegal drugs, logs and firearms. In its original petition with the CA, the accused soldiers claimed the Manila RTC committed grave abuse of discretion and violated their constitutional right to due process and liberty when it denied their motion to quash the murder case filed against them by the Office Read More …

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