NBI taps Coast Guard in hunt for fugitive businesswoman Janet Napoles

 News
Aug 162013
 
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday tapped the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in its hunt for businesswoman Janet Napoles, the central figure in a multibillion-peso pork barrel fund mess.

NBI director Nonnatus Rojas wrote the Coast Guard for assistance, asking its units to inform the NBI if they spot Napoles or her brother Reynald, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported on Friday afternoon.

Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said instructions have been sent to Coast Guard stations to be on alert for Napoles and her brother, who are subjects of an arrest warrant issued by a Makati court.

The arrest warrant for the Napoles siblings stemmed from the alleged illegal detention of who would turn out to be the whistleblower in the pork barrel scam.

Earlier on Friday, the Philippine National Police joined in the hunt for Napoles after receiving a copy of the arrest warrant.

An updated dzBB report said the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group deployed 19 tracker teams nationwide to go after the siblings.

Napoles, the woman at the center of an alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam, has been ordered arrested for the serious illegal detention case involving whistleblower Benhur Luy.

“Warrants of arrest (were) issued this afternoon by Br. 150, RTC-Makati vs Janet Lim Napoles and her brother Reynald ‘Jojo’ Lim in the serious illegal detention case,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told GMA News Online on Wednesday.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has charged Napoles and Lim for the alleged illegal detention of Luy, lead employee of Napoles’ JLN Group of Companies, which has been linked to anomalies involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel, of several lawmakers.

Napoles’ company was alleged to have been tapped in ghost projects of the government, pegged in one report as totalling P10 billion worth of projects, and these ghost projects were allegedly used by lawmakers for kickbacks.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) had earlier cleared Napoles and Lim of illegal detention charges, but the NBI moved for the reversal of the decision.

“The motion for reconsiderations of NBI and Benhur Luy were granted,” De Lima said.

De Lima said the case was non-bailable, and that the “NBI team (is) on its way to implement (the arrest warrants).” – with a report from Mark Merueñas, VVP, GMA News

PNoy cancels Ilocos Sur trip due to allergy attack

 News
Aug 142013
 
PNoy cancels Ilocos Sur trip due to allergy attack

(UPDATED 10:40 a.m.) – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday cancelled what would have been his first trip to Ilocos Sur since he assumed office in 2010 because of an allergy attack, a Palace official said. “The President has an allergy attack,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told GMA News Online in a text message on Wednesday. Aquino was supposed to go to Cervantes in Ilocos Sur for the inauguration of the Aluling Bridge, which was included in his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 22. The bridge took almost 36 years to build. Work on the bridge started in 1978 but was completed only now. However, Valte said the President was suffering from an allergy attack after coming into contact with flowers. “He reacts to them when there are too many at close proximity,” she said. She said he probably got the allergy during the Philippine National Police event last Tuesday. “I think he was actually stifling sneezes during the speech,” she said. “We’ve noticed that it happens pag napapaligiran ng maraming bulaklak at malapitan.  It also happened during his visit to Australia,” she added. Meanwhile, a report of  radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. said Aquino may be represented by his sister Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee at the event. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson is also expected at Thursday’s inauguration. President’s health Earlier, public concern about Aquino’s health spiked after his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22 was interrupted by at least five coughing Read More …

Senate agrees to cut spending on oversight committees

 News
Aug 052013
 
Senate agrees to cut spending on oversight committees

The Senate has agreed to cut spending on oversight committees following controversies on the use of the government funds involving some senators. In a statement on Tuesday, Senate President Franklin Drilon said he and his colleagues have reached a consensus to trim down the number of oversight committees. “We will rationalize the oversight committees so that we will be able to save funds by the end of the year,” Drilon said. However, he noted that the Senate has yet to decide which of its 35 oversight panels will be removed and retained. Oversight committees are created to check the implementation of specific laws. Some existing oversight panels include those tasked to monitor the Clean Air Act, the Overseas Voting Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Law. Drilon said scrapping of some of these ad hoc panels will save the Senate up to P500 million annually. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto earlier said the Senate leadership may trim down the number of oversight panels down to 20. The Senate made this decision after controversies involving some senators and the use of government funds over the past months. Last month, the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran a series of reports detailing how fake groups supposedly used the “pork barrel” of some senators and House members to fund ghost projects worth P10 billion. Earlier this year, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was also accused of irregular disbursement of maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) to some senators. Based on the proposed 2014 budget, the Read More …

VP Binay: HUDCC to lead study on new settlements

 News
Jul 222013
 
VP Binay: HUDCC to lead study on new settlements

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) will lead a study on establishing new settlements that would encourage economic opportunities outside Metro Manila, Vice President Jejomar Binay said. Binay, who chairs the HUDCC, said creating investor-friendly and safe settlements nationwide will help realize the administration’s goal of inclusive growth. “We shall identify future settlements using new technologies on climate change, such as geohazard maps and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), to protect our people and ensure that our communities would be out of danger from the effects of climate change,” Binay said on his Facebook page. “This study will entail a long and very comprehensive urban planning but I believe that it is doable,” he added. LiDar is the country’s first three-dimensional mapping technology that gives accurate topographical information. Binay also said the study aims to correct a misconception that the best economic opportunities are in Metro Manila. The misconception may have made Metro Manila reach its carrying capacity in a short time, he said. “We need to reverse this trend. Instead of people going to one location to seek for greener pastures, we should bring the opportunities to them through these new settlements,” he said. Binay noted the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change chaired by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje had approved the study on the establishment of new and safer settlements. He said Paje asked the HUDCC to lead the proposed study group. Meanwhile, Binay said the proposed study will support the initiative of government officials to find Read More …

PAGASA: Thunderstorm affecting parts of Metro Manila, Bulacan

 News
Jul 062013
 
PAGASA: Thunderstorm affecting parts of Metro Manila, Bulacan

Residents of Metro Manila and Bulacan may have to take precautions against flash floods due to rain from a thunderstorm, state weather forecasters said on Saturday afternoon. In a 1:00 p.m. thunderstorm advisory, PAGASA said rain may fall over the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, Navotas) area of Metro Manila. PAGASA also said the thunderstorm may affect Santa Maria and Balagtas in Bulacan and nearby areas in the next two hours. “All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flash floods. Keep monitoring for updates,” it advised. PAGASA earlier said the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone affecting parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao may bring rain to most parts of the country. This was noted despite their models showing there is little chance of a cyclone forming in the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend, PAGASA said. – VVP, GMA News

Tropical Storm Gorio accelerates, 37 areas under storm signals

 News
Jun 282013
 
Tropical Storm Gorio accelerates, 37 areas under storm signals

TS Gorio seen cutting across Luzon, west-northwest at 15kph. PAGASA forecast in its 11:00 p.m. storm bulletin that TS Gorio will move west-northwest at a pace 15 kilometers per hour with top near-center winds of up to 80 kph. By Saturday evening Gorio may be in the Vicinity of Catarman, Northern Samar. The storm is forecast Sunday evening to be at or ner Cabanatuan City and then by Monday evening, the forecast position is 390 km Northwest of Dagupan City. PAGASA (UPDATED 12:30 p.m.) – After making landfall in Eastern Visayas, Tropical Storm “Gorio” (international codename Rumbia) accelerated slightly as it continued to move northwest and state weather forecasters said 37 areas are now under storm signals. On its 11:00 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Gorio was estimated at 30 kilometers southeast of Catbalogan, Samar as of 10:00 a.m.  The storm packed maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The center of the storm was noted southeast of Catbalogan, Samar. On government-run dzRB radio, PAGASA forecaster Joey Figuracion said “Gorio” may be felt in Metro Manila by Sunday. PAGASA weather models indicate that “Gorio” may cross Zambales and exit the Philippine area of responsibility as early as Monday evening. The weather agency said “Gorio” was moving northwest at 19 kph and is expected to be in the vicinity of Alabat, Quezon on Sunday morning. By Monday morning, it is expected to be 170 km east of Dagupan City. By Monday Read More …

Hero's welcome awaits now famous dog Kabang in Zamboanga

 News
Jun 082013
 
Hero's welcome awaits now famous dog Kabang in Zamboanga

Hero dog Kabang goes to Makati after arriving from US. Team Kabang members play with hero dog Kabang during a presentation rite in Makati City shortly after the dog’s arrival from a successful operation in San Francisco, California, USA. From left to right: Mona Consunji of Animal Welefare Coalition, veterinarians Anton Mari Lim and Edgardo Unson. Danny Pata The residents of Zamboangga City will be giving a hero’s welcome to the now internationally-famous dog Kabang, who arrived in the Philippines on Saturday after her eight-month treatment in the United States. Kabang’s owners — Rudy and Cristina Bunggal — and the hero dog’s fans are eagerly awaiting her arrival in Zamboanga on Sunday, according to a report of Kara David for “24 Oras.” Kabang’s owners said even the pup that the dog left behind before going to the US, is also excited about the hero dog’s arrival. The couple’s niece, Mary Jane Manuel said, they are happy that Kabang, who became famous for heroically saving two young girls from a road accident, is finally headed home. Zamboangga residents have readied a motorcade and a meet-and-greet- for the hero dog. Kabang’s arrival in PHL Balitanghali’s Katrina Son said Kabang arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday and was mobbed by local media. The hero dog seemed to look healthier and more cheerful after undergoing reconstructive surgery to close the gaping wound on her face. Kabang’s Philippine vet Dr. Anthony Lim said Kabang underwent a gruelling five-hour facial Read More …

Defense chief says China, not PHL, violating code of conduct in Spratlys

 News
May 302013
 
Defense chief says China, not PHL, violating code of conduct in Spratlys

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday claimed that China and not the Philippines was allegedly violating the Declaration on the Code of Conduct (DOC) in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. Gazmin made the statement in a chance interview with reporters at Camp Aquinaldo a day after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing over questions about whether or not China will remove its ships from the Ayungin Shoal. On Wednesday, Gazmin said China intends to keep monitoring Manila over concerns that the Philippines intends to put up new structures on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas) in the disputed Spratly Islands. Gazmin explained that China was concerned about a Philippine ship that was on its way to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Gazmin explained that the ship is not there to build structures in the disputed territories but is on a supply mission. On Thursday, Gazmin said, “Well we’ve been adhering to the conduct, we’ve been following the DOC, wala naman tayong viniolate.” Gazmin alleged that it is China that is not adhering to the DOC. “Sila ang hindi [sumusunod], kaya nga ito pwedeng [isama] sa ating mga protesta, kaya nga lumalabas yang sunud-sunod na protest natin,” Gazmin said. “Tayo ay nagpupunta dun because of routine provisional missions, at saka yung regular rotation of forces. Ang tao dun stays there for three months, alangan naman three months ka dun sa barko, ang area mo napakaliit, tapos puro dagat lang so kailangan constant ang rotation,” he added. ‘Deescalation’ Read More …

CBCP: Commemorative San Pedro Calungsod P50 bills, medals to be issued this year

 News
Feb 042013
 
CBCP: Commemorative San Pedro Calungsod P50 bills, medals to be issued this year

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will issue later this year commemorative P50 bills featuring the image of San Pedro Calungsod, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said over the weekend. An article posted on the CBCP news site said the limited-edition bills will commemorate the canonization of the second Filipino saint last October. “Because of the many signatures needed, certainly I think these will be released not later than the feast day of Calungsod on April 2,” said former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, secretary general of the National Commission on the Canonization of Calungsod. De Villa said the Monetary Board has also approved to issue commemorative medals to honor the sainthood of Calungsod. Calungsod was a teenage Catholic missionary who died a martyr in Guam on April 2, 1672. He was canonized at the Vatican on October 21 last year. – VVP, GMA News

Cops secure Supreme Court for anti-cybercrime law protests

 News
Feb 042013
 
Cops secure Supreme Court for anti-cybercrime law protests

The police on Tuesday tightened security anew at the Supreme Court in Manila for the resumption of arguments on the Anti-Cybercrime Act of 2012. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said some groups had scheduled a vigil and concert there from 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday up to 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Mateo said the police appealed to the organizers of the vigil and protest actions to keep their activities peaceful and orderly. Many of the protesters are marking not just the resumption of arguments but also the eve of Feb. 6, the day the high court’s temporary restraining order on the controversial law lapses. Among the activities lined up by various youth and blogger groups for the day are a concert and vigil protesting a supposed “electronic Martial Law.” Many groups had staged protests at the high court when arguments on the controversial law are held. They argued that the anti-cybercrime law may violate Filipinos’ constitutional right to freedom of expression. – VVP, GMA News

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