Gigi Reyes' return helps afford her due process  – Palace exec

 News
Apr 192014
 

Ex-Enrile aide Gigi Reyes comes home

Ex-Enrile aide Gigi Reyes comes home. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff Gigi Reyes arrives in Manila from the US early Saturday, April 19, 2014. Reyes is among those charged with plunder for the PDAF scam. Reina Anne Dimapawi

A Malacañang official on Saturday said the return from the US of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes helps afford her “due process.”

“[Her return] will afford her the opportunity for the full application of her right to due process,” Malacañang spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Reyes, a key personality in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam and one of several people charged with plunder because of it, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via PR-105 from San Francisco, GMA News reported.

“I’m facing the charges. I’ve always faced it,” Reyes quoted as saying upon her arrival.

On April 7, Reyes’ representatives asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its decision to file plunder charges against her over the alleged P10-billion por barrel scam.

Reyes claimed her constitutional right to due process was violated, and denied receiving any commission from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), popularly known as pork barrel.

Last April 1, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Reyes, Senators Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as alleged scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles, with plunder.

The National Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Reyes had signed documents related to the release of Enrile’s pork barrel funds to bogus non-government organizations linked to Napoles.

Meanwhile, Enrile’s camp declined to comment on Reyes’ return.

Commenting on the Reyes’ return, Senator Grace Poe on Saturday said, “Our countrymen clamor for the truth and expect its unsullied exposition in pursuit of the nation’s highest interest.”

“Together we should encourage and support those who will champion the truth and those who will favor the public good,” she added, in a post on her Twitter account. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News

With New Year injuries rising, 5 senators favor firecracker ban

 News
Jan 022014
 
With New Year injuries rising, 5 senators favor firecracker ban

At least five senators are in favor of partially or totally banning the use of firecrackers in the country after over 800 cases of injuries caused by consumer fireworks were recorded in the recent holiday revelry. Senators Loren Legarda and Miriam Defensor Santiago are pushing for the banning of the use of firecrackers in residential areas. “There are too many deaths and injuries already,” Legarda said in a text message Thursday. Santiago has formalized her proposal to prohibit the use of firecrackers near houses in Senate Bill 1876, which she refiled this Congress. She proposed that those who use firecrackers near residential areas be slapped with a fine of up to P50,000, and imprisonment of up to a year. As of Thursday morning, the number of injuries caused by consumer fireworks climbed to 804, including a 16-year-old who lost his eye due to a sky rocket (kwitis). Because of these injuries, the Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for a ban on the individual use of firecrackers, “allowing only community fireworks managed by responsible persons, local government units or organizations, in designated areas,” said Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona in a statement on New Year’s Day. Malacañang said it supports this proposal. The current law regulating the use of firecrackers in the Philippines, enacted 22 years ago, allows the use and sale of certain pyrotechnic devices, including kwitis and watusi, which has caused the poisoning of minors in past years. Designated areas Santiago’s law also proposes that local government units Read More …

Drilon wants to use funds for unfilled gov’t posts for Yolanda rehab efforts

 Entertainment
Nov 162013
 
Drilon wants to use funds for unfilled gov’t posts for Yolanda rehab efforts

A resident holding an umbrella walks on ruins of houses which were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, near a coastal town in Tacloban city, central Philippines November 13, 2013. Desperation gripped Philippine islands devastated by Typhoon Haiyan as looting turned deadly on Wednesday and survivors panicked over delays in supplies of food, water and medicine, some digging up underground water pipes and smashing them open. Five days after one of the strongest storms ever recorded roared over cities and towns in the central Philippines, survivors in remote regions complained they had yet to receive any aid.(MNS photo) MANILA, Nov 14 (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Thursday proposed the use of funds for unfilled government posts next year for rehabilitation efforts in areas hit by recent natural disasters, including super typhoon Yolanda. In a statement, Drilon proposed that the Senate realign P15 billion from the proposed Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) next year to create a calamity assistance and rehabilitation effort (CARE) fund. The MPBF is a stand-by allocation for the filling up of unfilled government posts, and for the creation of new positions in the bureaucracy. “The 2014 national budget must provide for funds badly needed by our countrymen, who suffered the misfortunes brought about by the series of massive natural and man-made disasters,” the Senate leader said. He added that allocations for rehabilitation efforts in next year’s spending plan, such as the P7.5-billion calamity fund, seem not enough considering the extent of the damage caused by Yolanda and Read More …

Senate commends Megan Young for winning Miss World title

 Entertainment
Oct 182013
 
Senate commends Megan Young for winning Miss World title

Newly crowned Miss World Megan Young of the Philippines, smiles after winning the Miss World contest, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Senate on Monday commended beauty queen and actress Megan Young for winning the Miss World 2013 title. Young attended the Senate session on Monday afternoon wearing a sparkling white terno and her blue crown to receive the commendation. In sponsoring Senate Resolution 272, Senator Grace Poe praised Young for showing Filipina simplicity to the world. “Tunay nga bilang isang Pilipina, ang pinakamaningning sa kanya [Young] ang pagiging simple ngunit nagmamarkang pagka-Pilipina,” Poe said during the session. After Poe’s speech, Young ascended the Senate rostrum to receive her commendation and to have a photo opportunity with senators. Last September 28, Young won the first ever Miss World crown for the Philippines, besting 126 candidates from all over the globe. (MNS)