May 062013
 
Self-proclaimed “anti-corruption crusader” Louis Biraogo on Monday filed a complaint against re-electionist Senator Loren Legarda for allegedly misdeclaring her assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

The case was in connection with the posh residential condominium unit that Legarda bought in New York in 2006 for $700,000.

“Eto po ay napaka-expensive, mahal na property, na hindi kaya ng ordinaryong tao dito sa ating bansa. Ito ay binili ni Sen. Loren Legarda noong 2006 sa halagang $700,000,” Biraogo said in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras.”

Legarda, who is running under the administration coalition, was accused of violating the anti-graft law and code of conduct and ethical standards of public officials, the report said.

At a press briefing last week, Legarda said the property, which she said is family-owned, has been in her SALN since 2007 but declared as “Equity in Real Property.” The price of the unit as reflected in her SALN was $7.1 million, supposedly her share in purchasing the property.

But in filing the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, Biraogo presented to the media the title for the condominum unit showing that Legarda is the sole owner of the property.

“Eto yung titulo, at sa titulo po ang buyer ay si Sen. Loren Legarda. Walang nakalagay na kapatid nya o asawa nya,” he said.

Legarda was among the senators who voted in favor of ousting Chief Justice Renato Corona last year for misdeclaring his SALN.

Legarda, who continues to top surveys on senatoriables, has described Biraogo’s accusation as “black propaganda.” She has yet to comment on Biraogo’s complaint. — KBK, GMA News

Feb 182013
 
Chiz, Grace, Loren already made their choice: Tañada

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Senatorial candidates flashes the Laban sign as Noel Cabangon performs “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino” during the Team PNoy Senate Campaign Launch at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila City on Tuesday (February 12, 2013). The administration candidates for the midterm elections are Aurora Lone District Representative Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, former Akbayan Partylist Representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senators Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano and Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Senator Loren Legarda, former Senators Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., Senators Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, and former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar. Team PNoy is the coalition of the Liberal Party (LP), Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) and the Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party (Akbayan). The latest survey shows the Filipinos’ high preference for Team PNoy senatorial candidates is an indication of their confidence to President Aquino and his team. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 14 (Mabuhay) -– The spokesperson of the Liberal Party on Thursday said common candidates Grace Poe, Senator Francis Escudero and Senator Loren Legarda have made their choice on which slate to join in the May 2013 election. “Nag-desisyon na sila. They appeared sa proclamation rally, sa Batangas sortie, nandoon sila. Mamaya sa Laguna, kasama sila ulit. Tingin Read More …

Feb 042013
 
Senate OKs bill declaring waling-waling a national flower

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill declaring the waling-waling a national flower of the Philippines. The Senate approved House Bill No. 5655, which declares the waling-waling a national flower, joining the sampaguita. The sampaguita was declared the national flower of the Philippines by Governor-General Frank Murphy through Proclamation No. 652 on February 1, 1934. “Orchid lovers all over the world consider the waling-waling as one of the most unique and beautiful native orchids in the world and that while some adore it, most Filipinos have forgotten its natural beauty,” said the measure’s sponsor Senator Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts, and culture. Senator Loren Legarda, who co-sponsored the measure, said the approval of the bill will mandate the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations that will protect, conserve, and propagate the waling-waling orchid together with the sampaguita. Angara said the waling-waling is known as “the Queen of Philippine Orchids.” Unlike the sampaguita, he said, the waling-waling is native to the Philippines and endemic to Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. — BM, GMA News