PHNO-BE: THE ECONOMY: TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD


THE ECONOMY: TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD

MANILA, DECEMBER
31, 2011 (MALAYA) By AMADO MACASAET - THE economy may have a
difficult beginning in the coming year. It has two problems that, according to
the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), will make the first half of
the coming year a bit difficult to handle.
Aurelio Montinola III, president of the BAP and of the Bank of the Philippine
Islands, said the world economic slowdown and the distraction by the impeachment
of Chief Justice Renato Corona will not help the economy in the first semester
of the year.
Montinola said the negative effects of these two situations can be blunted or
offset by the implementation of the public-private partnership program which, he
said, the banking system is completely prepared to support.
Montinola pointed out that the emerging market will compliment the effects of
the PPP. He explained that the "whole year (2012) should be positive/better than
2011 due to emerging market and the Philippines superior economic fundamentals."

Thus, he said, he hopes that the situation will improve beginning the second
semester. He predicted that the coming year will be better than 2011.
Montinola believes that the Philippine economy has "superior economic
fundamentals."
A good portion of the funds for the PPP should be spent in public works which
create jobs and infrastructure needed by local and foreign businessmen.
The private sector partners of the PPP have huge amounts of money for loans
from the banking system.
The present prime rate hovers between 6 and 8 percent. This rate has never
been seen in the history of bank lending
The continuing stability of the banking system is helped immensely by more
careful scrutiny of the credit reputation of new big borrowers.
Montinola earlier said that the sorry part of the story is that the big
corporate borrowers who never default on their loans are now able to generate
enough cash flow from their operations. They do not have to borrow in huge
amounts.
The banking system, awash with cash, is seeking low-risk investments that
contribute to growth and job creation. It has long been observed that while
lending to small and medium enterprises as well as to the micro businesses is
administratively expensive, the default rate is much lower than among the giant
borrowers.
A low interest rate regime characterized the Aquino administration from the
time it took over on June 30, 2010.
The other "superior economic fundamental" is the stability of the peso. There
has never been a time in the past when the exchange rate moved within a very
narrow and therefore manageable band.
Neither has there been a time when the country's supply of dollars is bigger
than the size of its total foreign debt. The bulk of foreign debt has long-term
maturities.
The banking system is seen as the main driver of growth as it has never been
as stable as it is today.
Convulsions in the equities market and other negotiable instruments may not
happen at all as investors continue to take "a flight to safety." Lower margins
from safe instruments, particularly sovereign liabilities, are now an accepted
investment practice.
Montinola's hopes for a better year ahead is also pinned on "the US getting
better."
He also explained that "the eurozone will muddle through to not breaking up."
The Philippine economy can be affected by a decline in demand in the eurozone.

Montinola did not sound worried over the steady decline in the performance of
the manufacturing sector. Obviously, he believes in what he earlier told Malaya
Business Insight that the economy is slowly but steadily shifting to the service
sector as a self-adjusting mechanism to the negative effects of being a member
of the World Trade Organization.
He is most happy about the stability of the banking system, not because he is
running the country's second-biggest bank.
He is extremely satisfied that the banks are beginning to recognize the huge
potentials of small and medium enterprises. In fact, he said, competition in
micro-lending is palpably intense.
The property sector will continue to grow. Even Ayala Land, considered as the
most respected property developer, has gone down to the middle market with its
Avida brand of apartments and detached homes.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved


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HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: LEA SALONGA AND MiG AYESA HIGHLIGHT ATLANTIS 2012 SEASON


LEA SALONGA AND MiG AYESA HIGHLIGHT
ATLANTIS 2012 SEASON

MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2011
(STAR) [PHOTO - Lea Salonga and MiG Ayesa] It was a
stellar year for Atlantis Productions, with critically acclaimed and
award-winning hit productions of Next to Normal (which had two sold-out runs),
Aida, In the Heights, and the smash hit Disney's The Little Mermaid.
But Atlantis Productions promises an even more exciting 2012 with
a new year round partnership with Metrobank.
In March, Atlantis brings back the Tony Award winning Broadway musical In the
Heights.
The Manila run of In the Heights won the Aliw Award for Best Ensemble and the
repeat run will feature the original Manila cast led by Nyoy Volante, who will
reprise his critically acclaimed performance as Usnavi. Joining Nyoy in the
joyous musical about friendship, family and the place we call home are K-La
Rivera, Jackie Lou Blanco, Ima Castro, Calvin Millado, Tex Ordonez, Felix
Rivera, Jimmy Marquez, Bibo Reyes and Jay Glorioso (who also won an Aliw Award
for her performance as Abuela Claudia).
Directed by Bobby Garcia, the limited repeat run will also welcome In the
Heights' Tony Award-winning composer and star on Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda to
Manila. Through a special arrangement with Delta Airlines, he will be present
for the show's opening night. The limited repeat run of In the Heights is from
March 16 to 25, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

In June, Atlantis is proud to present the first internationally-licensed
production of the Tony Award nominated musical Rock of Ages starring MiG Ayesa.
Rock of Ages is a worldwide smash hit that features 28 classic rock hits
including Don't Stop Believin, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted
Dead or Alive and Here I Go Again. A celebration of classic '80s rock culture,
Rock of Ages tells the hilarious story of a small town girl and a big city
rocker falling in love to the greatest songs of the decade. An awesomely good
time where big hair meets big dreams.
Heading the cast of Rock of Ages is MiG Ayesa who will play the role of
Stacee Jaxx, which he recently played on Broadway. Rock of Ages will also soon
be a film starring Tom Cruise. Rock of Ages is directed by Chari Arespacochaga
and runs from June 15 to July 8, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC
Plaza, Makati.
In July, Atlantis proudly welcomes back Tony Award winner Lea Salonga to the
Atlantis stage in the Tony Award winning comedy of "bad manners" God of Carnage.
God of Carnage begins with two sets of parents meeting up to deal with the
aftermath of a fight between their sons. What starts as a civilized discussion
between grown adults about the importance of proper behavior soon devolves into
a hysterical and very uncivilized session of tantrums, tears, and startling
revelations. It won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play. It will also star Menchu
Lauchengco-Yulo.
This smart, viciously funny and dark new play by Yasmina Reza (Art) will be
directed by Bobby Garcia. It is also now a film entitled God of Carnage starring
Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Cristoph Waltz and John C. Reilly. The very limited
Manila engagement of God of Carnage is from July 13 - 22, 2012 at the Carlos P.
Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. It will travel to Singapore later in the
year in a co-production with The Singapore Repertory Theatre.
In September, Atlantis opens its doors to one of the most critically
acclaimed and awarded musicals of all time — Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit's
Nine. Based on Italian director Federico Fellini's comic masterpiece of
biographical filmmaking, 8 1/2, Maury Yeston's sultry and enchanting musical
Nine follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini as he prepares
his latest picture and balances the numerous women in his life. Nine won five
Tony Awards including Best Musical in its original run on Broadway and then went
on to win the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in the 2003 run on
Broadway starring Antonio Banderas. The Manila production of Nine will star Jett
Pangan as Guido Contini.
It will also feature a star-studded cast of women from the entertainment
industry. Directed by Bobby Garcia, Nine will feature set design by Tony-Award
winning scenic designer David Gallo (The Drowsy Chaperone) who currently has
Memphis and The Mountaintop running on Broadway. Designing the costumes for Nine
is New York-based Filipino designer Robin Tomas. Nine runs from Sept. 21 to Oct.
7, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium.
Ending the year, Atlantis presents Shrek the Musical. Join Shrek and his
loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if
slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from her tower guarded by a fire
breathing love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of
fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you've got this year's must
see new family musical comedy.
Featuring all new songs as well as the cult Shrek anthem I'm a Believer,
Shrek the Musical brings the well loved characters to life, in a hilarious and
spectacular new production based on the story and characters from the
Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film. Directed by Chari Arespacochaga, Shrek
the Musical runs from Nov. 16 to Dec. 9, 2012 at the Meralco Theatre.
A limited number of shows are also now available for show buying and fund
raising opportunities with excellent returns on your investment. Atlantis' 2012
Season has the perfect show to raise money for your organization, foundation or
charity.
For show buying inquiries call Atlantis Productions at
892-7078 or 840-1187.


Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: IS LEA RIPE FOR NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD?


IS LEA RIPE FOR NATIONAL ARTIST
AWARD?

MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2011
(STAR) [PHOTO - Lea Salonga with mom Ligaya and daughter Nicole…
] FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - That's what Funfare's Big Apple
correspondent Edmund Silvestre is asking.
My answer is yes, yes, yes!
Said Edmund, "One of the most revered theater performers in the world, Lea
has been bringing honor and pride to the Filipino race, not just with her
exceptional talent, but with her untainted public image as well."
Again, I agree.
After winning the international hunt for the lead role in the Vietnam
War-inspired musical drama Miss Saigon, Lea received the highest honors for
excellence the world of theater can bestow on an artist: Broadway's Tony Award
and West End's Laurence Olivier Award.
From then on, the theater world began to notice Filipino talents.
… and with Miss Saigon producer Cameron Mackintosh
Lea even managed to break racial barriers and opened doors wider for Filipino
and other Asian theater actors when she was cast in Caucasian roles (Eponine and
Fantine) in the French revolution musical Les Miserables.
She has performed at the Oscars as well as in front of global leaders and
dignitaries, starred in a movie (Red Curtain) with John Lithgow and Jeff
Daniels, appeared in an American soap (As The World Turns), sang in the most
prestigious venues across the earth, joined Susan Sarandon, Celine Dion and
Italian actor Raoul Bova as Goodwill Ambassadors of the United Nations to fight
world hunger, and even sat as a judge in the Miss Universe Pageant.
Just recently, Walt Disney honored her with the Disney Legend Award for her
contributions to Disney's legacy as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from
the animated film Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II, all produced by
Disney.
"So," concluded Edmund who recently interviewed Lea in New York for Funfare,
"like many others I believe that Lea, even only at 40 which is the new 30 as
scientists today redefine age is already ripe for the Philippines' highest and
most coveted recognition for an artist, the National Artist Award."
I second the motion.
Lea has always been an inspiration to numerous talents both wannabes and
veterans who consider her a role model, both as an artist and as a person. And
her unparalleled achievements as an accomplished theater diva even injected new
life and interest in Philippine theater.
But you'll be surprised to learn that Lea herself believes she's not
deserving of the National Artist honor not yet, at least - saying she has not
done really "significant" to push for the interest of Philippine arts.
"Of course, I don't want it to be given to somebody who's dead that they
can't appreciate and enjoy the award, but at the same time I don't feel worthy
of the honor and I would probably say, you know what, wait until I actually make
a real contribution to the country before you consider me," she humbly told
Funfare at the recent Avon Voices singing competition in New York City (reported
in this corner a few issues ago) where she served as a judge alongside Fergie of
the Black Eyed Peas and Natasha Bedingfield, among others.
Lea said that she's not yet in the league of artists like F. Sionil Jose, the
late Salvador Bernal or Alice Reyes, "who have contributed so much" to the
development of Philippine arts and thus deserve to be conferred membership in
the Order of National Artists.
(Aside from the title and prestige, a National Artist receives a monthly
pension, medical and life insurance, arrangements for a state funeral, a place
of honor at national state functions, and recognition at cultural events.)
Among Lea's landmark performances are those in (from left) Miss
Saigon as Kim… Les Miserables as Fantine… Cats as Grizabella… and in Flower Drum
Song.
"A lot of what I do, I sing a lot of western music, I've done a lot of
western musicals," Lea pointed out, "but I can't really say that I've made any
significant cultural contribution or impact to the advancement of Filipino
arts," adding, "(Zeneida) Bibot Amador (the late founder and artistic director
of Repertory Philippines) should actually have gotten it. Even though she was
staging mostly western plays and musicals, it's because of the number of people
that came out of Repertory Philippines and have made a mark for themselves. "

It was in Repertory Philippines that producer Cameron Mackintosh found many
of the principal characters for Miss Saigon like Lea, Monique Wilson, Cocoy
Laurel, Isay Alvarez, Junix Inocian, Pinky Amador, Michael Williams and even Leo
Valdez (a non-Repertory member).
"That's Bibot's great contribution, among many other things, to Philippine
arts. And don't forget that she had groomed not just a lot of actors, but also a
lot of directors who are now grooming actors the same way that she did."
More than two decades after taking the Great White Way and the West End by
storm, Lea, now a wife (to Rob Chien) and mother (to Nicole), continues to sing
and act on stage and topbill concerts and musicals all over the world, while
reaping honors and citations from different organizations and award-giving
bodies.
Yes, Edmund, Lea has nothing more to prove in her field that even Walt Disney
one of the largest media conglomerates in the world -already recognized her as a
legend.
… and with fellow UN Ambassadors of Goodwill Susan Sarandon and
Raoul Bova
And, as Edmund observed, the sad thing is that the Philippines is taking its
precious time to put on a pedestal a genuine national treasure worthy of the
highest emulation, however young she may be.
By the way, nominations for National Artist of the Philippines are based on a
broad criteria, as set forth by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the
National Commission on Culture and the Arts, to wit (as enumerated by Edmund):

• Living artists who have been Filipino citizens for the last 10 years prior
to nomination as well as those who have died after the establishment of the
award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death;
• Artists who have helped build a Filipino sense of nationhood through the
content and form of their works;
With John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels in the teleplay Redwood Curtain…
• Artists who have distinguished themselves by pioneering in a mode of
creative expression or style, making an impact on succeeding generations of
artists;
• Artists who have created a significant body of works and/or have
consistently displayed excellence in the practice of their art form, enriching
artistic expression or style; and
• Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or
international recognition, awards in prestigious national and/or international
events, critical acclaim and/or reviews of their works, and/or respect and
esteem from peers within an artistic discipline.

[With John Lithgow and Jeff Daniels in the teleplay Redwood
Curtain…]
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send
your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates,
photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me
on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: MANILA METRO FILM FESTIVAL: 'ASIONG' SWEEPS WITH 11 TROPHIES


MANILA METRO FILM FESTIVAL: 'ASIONG'
SWEEPS WITH 11 TROPHIES

[PHOTO - Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito (in bow tie) and wife
Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Sanchez (to his left) lead the cheering for the victory of
Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story at the Metro Filmfest Gabi ng Parangal
Wednesday night. PHOTOS by VER PAULINO]

MANILA, DECEMBER
31, 2011 (STAR) By Ricardo F. Lo
- Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story joined late in the 2011 Metro Manila
Film Festival (MMFF), taking the slot left vacant by Robin Padilla who bowed
out, and coming out the biggest winner with 11 trophies at the MMFF Gabi ng
Parangal held Wednesday night at the Resorts World Manila.
Starring in the title role Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito (a.k.a. Jeorge Estregan)
who was undoubtedly inspired by the same movie that launched his uncle, former
Pres. Joseph "Erap" Estrada in the early '60s, Asiong Salonga won, among other
awards, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (for John Regala) and Best Director
for Tikoy Aguiluz who has earlier asked that his name be removed from the
credits due to a misunderstanding with the producers.
Absent from the awards night (she's abroad), Maricel Soriano won Best Actress
for Regal Films' Yesterday Today Tomorrow which was disqualified from competing
in four categories (Picture, Direction, Screenplay and the Gatpuno Award) due to
what the MMFF executive committee said was a violation of a rule (that the
finished product must conform to the script submitted months earlier).
John Regala, Best Supporting Actor (Asiong Salonga)

Dingdong Dantes was named Best Actor (for Segunda Mano, which he himself
co-produced with co-star Kris Aquino and Star Cinema) while Eugene Domingo took
the Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance in the comedy My
HouseHusband: Ikaw Na!
As of last count, Asiong Salonga placed sixth among the seven entries, with
Enteng ng Ina Mo a runaway No. 1 with more than P110M gross so far. This year's
target gross of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is P600M, or more.
Last year's gross was more than P500M.
Asiong Salonga opened last Dec. 25 in only 17 theaters. With more theaters,
it could have earned more. Reports quoted Gov. E.R. that behind the delay in the
delivery of the prints to the cinemas was a "connivance" between film processing
laboratory SQ Film Laboratories and production companies in the Metrofest. SQ
Film Laboratories is categorically denying any "connivance."
In a media statement, post-production manager Anastacio Angelo A. Santos
said, "With all due respect to Gov. E.R. Ejercito, we regret that the delay in
the release of the prints was interpreted as sabotage, which we categorically
deny. We also categorically deny that there was, nor will there ever be, any
connivance between SQ Film Laboratories and other production companies involved
in this festival."
Eugene Domingo, Best Supporting Actress (My Househusband: Ikaw
Na!)
Santos also put on record that, in fact, the printing of the Kris
Aquino-Dingdong Dantes starrer Segunda Mano was halted to give way to the
printing of the provincial copies of Asiong Salonga.
Santos said that this arrangement was done "with the consent of both
production managers of Star Cinema and Scenema Concept." Star Cinema is one of
the producers of Segunda Mano, while Scenema Concept is the producer of Asiong
Salonga.
Santos pointed out that having been established in 1971, SQ Film Laboratories
is the oldest existing film processing company in the Philippines. It takes
pride in producing the prints of many MMFF movies since the filmfest began in
1975. SQ's roster of clients includes mainstream and independent film producers,
as well as international production companies. SQ Film Laboratories is
wholly-owned by the family of Dr. Felixberto Santos and Mrs. Purita Q. Santos.

Here is Santos' complete statement:
We write this in response to an article dated December 27, 2011, 'E.R.
Ejercito slams delayed release of 'Asiong' prints,' and released on Yahoo!
Southeast Asian Newsroom, in which the Laguna governor claims that his film was
deliberately sabotaged by the late release of the prints by our film laboratory,
which in turn allegedly affected the number of prints in circulation. We reserve
the right to respond to these unfair allegations.
Lifetime Achievement awardee Eddie Garcia with Boots Anson-Roa
With all due respect to the Governor, we regret that the delay in release of
prints was interpreted as sabotage, which we categorically deny. We also
categorically deny that there was, nor will there ever be, any connivance
between SQ Film Laboratories and the other production companies involved in this
festival.
For the record, with the consent of both production managers of Star Cinema
and Scenema Concept, the printing of Segunda Mano was stopped to give way to the
printing of the provincial copies of Kingpin. SQ Film Laboratories is not
involved in the distribution of prints to theaters.
Our laboratories are the longest running film processing company in the
Philippines and maintain the highest standard of professionalism. It is
unfortunate that in the run up to the festival, the incoming and erratic traffic
of material from different groups of filmmakers resulted in compromises to the
final outcomes to all concerned.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos receives award for Pintakasi,
Best New Wave Full-Length Film, which she produced
In line with our mission statement, our company "commits ourselves to serve
the best interest of the company's stockholders, employees, customers,
suppliers, and the global environment through high standards of integrity by
delivering quality and technical expertise through leading technology and
innovation, competitive pricing and excellent customer service in pursuit of
financial growth and excellence."
We run our business with excellence and integrity and will continue to do so
to provide the best service to the Filipino film industry.
The Metro Filmfest ends on Jan. 7 next year. Some of the entries might go on
extended run. But the official total gross will cover only the 10-day festival.
At the rate it's going, the MMFF might outgross last year's.
The Honor Roll
• Best Actor — Dingdong Dantes (Segunda Mano)
• Best Actress — Maricel Soriano (Yesterday Today Tomorrow)
• Best Festival Supporting Actor — John Regala (Manila Kingpin: The Asiong
Salonga Story)
• Best Festival Supporting Actress —Eugene Domingo (My Househusband: Ikaw
Na!)
• Best Production Design — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story
• Best in Editing — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (Jason Cahapay
and Ryan Orduna)
• Best Musical Score — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (Nonong
Buencamino)
• Best Sound Recording — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (Mike
Idioma)
• Best Festival Visual Effects — Ang Panday 2 (Riot, Inc.)
• Best Make-Up — Enteng ng Ina Mo
• Best Festival Original Theme Song — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga
Story (La Paloma by Ely Buendia)
• Best Cinematography — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (Carlo
Mendoza)
• Gender Sensitivity Award — My Househusband
• Best Festival Child Performer — Bugoy Cariño (Shake, Rattle & Roll 13)

• Best Story — Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 (Rain, Rain Go Away)
• Best Screenplay — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (Roi Iglesias
and Rey Ventura)
• Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong
Salonga Story
• Best Festival Director — Tikoy Aguiluz (Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga
Story)
• Best Festival Picture — Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story
• 2nd Best Festival Picture — Enteng ng Ina Mo
• 3rd Best Festival Picture — Shake, Rattle & Roll 13
• Best Float — Ang Panday 2
* * *
New Wave — Independent Film Section
• Best New Wave Actor — JM de Guzman (Pintakasi)
• Best New Wave Actress — Iza Calzado (HIV)
• Best New Wave Full-Length Film — Pintakasi
• Best New Wave Student Short Film — Mate and Payaso (Tie)
• New Wave Section Special Jury Prize — Biyahe Ni Barbie
• Gender Sensitivity Award (Student Category) — Speechless
• Gender Sensitivity Award (Full-Length Category) — HIV
* * *
Special Awards
• Lifetime Achievement Award — Eddie Garcia
• Male Kutis Ganda Celebrity Award — Ryan Agoncillo
• Female Kutis Ganda Celebrity Award — Ai-Ai de las Alas
• Celebrity Sexiest Appeal of the Night — ER Ejercito
• Celebrity Sexiest Appeal of the Night — Judy Ann Santos
• Male Face of the Night — Richard Gomez
• Female Face of the Night — Iza Calzado
• SMDC Most Glamorous Stars — Iza Calzado and Ryan Agoncillo
• Posthumous Award for Excellence — Director/choreographer Lito Calzado


Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-P-NOY: NOY STILL OPEN TO COALITION OF LIBERAL PARTY W/ BINAY'S PDP-LABAN PARTY


NOY STILL OPEN TO COALITION OF
LIBERAL PARTY W/ BINAY'S PDP-LABAN PARTY


[PHOTO - President Aquino and Vice
President Jejomar Binay stand beside the Rizal Fountain historical marker during
the 115th anniversary of the execution of national hero Jose Rizal at the Noli
Me Tangere Garden in Rizal Park yesterday.]
MANILA, DECEMBER 31,
2011 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - A coalition between the
two opposing parties in President Aquino's circle the ruling Liberal Party and
PDP-Laban of Vice President Jejomar Binay is still possible in the May 2013
midterm senatorial elections, a Palace official hinted yesterday.
Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said this political
realignment may still have its way, despite an earlier pronouncement from Aquino
himself that uniting the two parties may be farfetched.
Llamas told newsmen in a chance interview at Rizal Park that the President
merely mentioned in passing some of the stumbling blocks, especially since the
PDP-Laban and LP fought in the last elections, but they were not closing the
door on the possibility of a merger.
Aquino's statement to Lynda Jumilla of ABS-CBN was "open-ended," and it was
just a pragmatic view of a party stalwart and Chief Executive at the same time,
given the May 2010 presidential elections' experience.
"He was just mentioning the difficulties because of previous electoral
contests, but his statement was not final and he was just noting that the
parties are distinct and separate," Llamas said in Filipino, rectifying
misimpressions of no merger.
The equation in 2010 will most likely differ in May 2016, when Aquino steps
down from office, after serving his fixed six-year term.
PDP-Laban supported ex-President Joseph Estrada's reelection, while Aquino
was LP's candidate.
Aquino told ABS-CBN earlier that among the senatorial candidates he wanted to
run in 2013 are Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, Deputy Commissioner Danny
Lim, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
In a related development, Llamas also defended Aquino from criticisms that
the administration seemed to be politicking too early, following the President's
revelation of a possible senatorial slate in 2013.
He clarified that Aquino was just asked a question about the senatorial
polls, to which he replied. Llamas stressed that this was not volunteered, but a
reply to a question from a broadcast journalist.
"It wasn't volunteered. It was not an active attempt to promote possible
candidates. It was just a question," Llamas said, adding it was only part of a
longer interview.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved


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PHNO-HL: TOP ZTE OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY VS GMA / GMA, ABALOS FACE GRAFT RAPS OVER ZTE


TOP ZTE OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY VS GMA / GMA, ABALOS
FACE GRAFT RAPS OVER ZTE

MANILA, DECEMBER 31,
2011 (STAR) By Michael Punongbayan - Two executives of ZTE
Corp., the largest telecommunications equipment company in China, will be among
the witnesses of the Ombudsman against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
now facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for her alleged role in the
$329-million national broadband network (NBN) anomaly.
ZTE vice president Yu Yong and Fan Yang, one of the firm's directors, are
expected to testify against the former president, her husband Jose Miguel
Arroyo, former elections commissioner Benjamin Abalos, and former Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) secretary Leandro Mendoza during trial.

Both Chinese executives were listed as main witnesses in the three separate
criminal complaints filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, along
with other key personalities who claimed to have knowledge of how the NBN-ZTE
deal was overpriced due to alleged commissions and kickbacks.
The STAR sources said Yu Yong and Fan Yang have already been asked to testify
before the Sandiganbayan on the graft cases filed by former Ombudsman Merceditas
Gutierrez against Abalos and former National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) director general Romulo Neri in May 2010, also in relation to the NBN
deal.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has sent to the ZTE officials the
letters signed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and translated into Chinese,
requesting their participation in the court hearings since they were the
executives who allegedly held meetings with the respondents discussing the
details of the contract.
Sources said there are several options to pursue, including the possibility
of having prosecutors, defense lawyers, and a Sandiganbayan clerk of court fly
to China to conduct a deposition, an out-of-court oral testimony of a witness
that is reduced to writing.
If such an arrangement cannot be made, government lawyers plan to first
secure the sworn statements or affidavits of Yu Yong and Fan Yang and have the
anti-graft court summon them through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).

Also listed as witnesses against the Arroyos, Abalos, and Mendoza are former
House speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and his son Jose "Joey" de Venecia III,
NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr., Dante Madriaga, and
representatives of DOTC and the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
The first graft case filed by the Ombudsman against Arroyo accuses her of
violating Section 3(i) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly
having personal interest for personal gain in the contract "despite knowledge of
the irregularities and anomalies that attended its approval."
The second graft case against her and her husband, Abalos, and Mendoza is for
alleged violation of Section 3(g) of the same law which penalizes acts of
entering into any contract or transaction that is "manifestly and grossly
disadvantageous to the government."
The third case filed against Arroyo accuses her of violating Republic Act
6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and
Employees for playing golf and having lunch with ZTE executives in Shenzhen,
China while the NBN deal was still pending final approval.
Lawyer Gabriel Villareal, Abalos' legal counsel, said he could not comment
yet on the case filed against his client since he has not seen or read the
actual complaint.
OSP will handle trial
Unlike in the case of former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo during the plunder
trial of former President Joseph Estrada, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has
no plans of actually participating in Arroyo's trial.
Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan, the anti-graft agency's spokesman, said
Morales is not keen on joining the prosecutors who will handle the case at the
Sandiganbayan.
"The OSP will be handling the prosecution of the cases," he said, adding that
it will be up to the prosecution team to strategize and "explore the possibility
or the viability and the means with which to pursue or to secure the listed
witnesses," including the ZTE officials.
Rafanan said the Office of the Ombudsman will not pick the lawyers to handle
the Arroyo cases and will just follow the OSP's system of assigning cases to its
bureau.
When the cases were filed last Wednesday, representatives of the Office of
the Ombudsman did not go through the OSP and instead filed the complaints
directly with the Sandiganbayan.
"I think there is no express rule under the Office of the Ombudsman that all
information would have to pass through the OSP since the OSP is under the Office
of the Ombudsman," Rafanan explained.
When Ombudsman Morales held her first and only press conference after
assuming her post, Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit, who has a rank equal to a
deputy ombudsman, was curiously absent from the presidential table even though
other officials were present.
Rafanan said the graft complaints against the Arroyos, Abalos, and Mendoza
would be raffled off to a division of the Sandiganbayan "and under the rules,
the court will have to determine probable cause for the issuance of warrant of
arrest."
"The office of the Ombudsman weighed the evidence and so far as meeting the
required quantum of evidence, it has sufficiently met the level of probable
cause and that the crimes were committed and that respondents probably committed
the crime and should be hailed to court," he said when asked how strong the
cases are.
Rafanan also dismissed claims that the Office of the Ombudsman erred in
finding reason to indict the respondents after previously being cleared of the
same accusations.
"It was discussed (in the resolution) that the Office of the Ombudsman had
the power to conduct another investigation over the case and that there is no
res judicata on that case even after the previous investigation conducted by the
previous ombudsman," he said.
Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas expects more
lawsuits to be filed against Arroyo.
Llamas said there are other cases that had not yet been filed at the Office
of the Ombudsman, like the fund anomaly at the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration.
Meanwhile, lawyer Salvador Panelo accused the Office of the Ombudsman of
filing flawed graft complaints against Arroyo and Abalos.
Panelo said Abalos could not be charged for violating Section 3(g) of the
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because he did not enter (into a contract
or transaction) on behalf of the government in the NBN deal.
"He was not a signatory to the contract," Panelo, a former spokesman for
Abalos, said, believing that the Office of the Ombudsman's case is weak.
Panelo said the NBN-ZTE deal that was cancelled "was not disadvantageous to
the government."
As to the graft cases filed against Arroyo, he said Section 3(g) of the
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act presupposes that there is no contract yet,
"there is no such animal precisely because it has been cancelled."
"Also, assuming there is a contract, there is absence of injury to the
government as ruled upon by a previous investigating panel," he stressed.
As to Section 3(i), Panelo asked, "how could the Ombudsman file a graft case
under such provision when the panel ruled that there is no proof that money,
assuming there is one which is impossible to prove, passed on to GMA?"
"That is precisely why it did not file a plunder case against GMA. There is a
contradiction in the stand of the panel," he said. With
Delon Porcalla
GMA, Abalos face graft raps over ZTE PhilStar –
Fri,
MANILA, Philippines - Graft cases have been filed with the
Sandiganbayan against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband Jose
Miguel Arroyo and two former officials in connection with the aborted
$329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between her administration
and ZTE Corp. of China.
Facing charges with the Arroyos are former elections chairman Benjamin Abalos
(photo) and former transportation and communications secretary Leandro Mendoza.

But the Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the case, found no probable
cause to indict the four for plunder. Unlike plunder, violation of the
anti-graft law is a bailable offense.
Mrs. Arroyo is under hospital arrest, without bail, for electoral sabotage.
Party-list group Bayan Muna filed the plunder case against the Arroyos.
"That contract was abrogated so there's no damage done," Mr. Arroyo told The
STAR, referring to the NBN contract.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the recommendations of a special
panel of investigators indicting the former first couple and the two former
officials for violating Sections 3(g) and 3(i) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act. She said the four should be held accountable for entering into a
contract that was "grossly disadvantageous" to the government. Based on the
report of the special panel, the cost of the cancelled NBN project should have
only been $130 million.
Carpio-Morales also filed a third criminal case for violation of Republic Act
6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees against the former president.
"GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), despite knowledge of the irregularities,
authorized Mr. Mendoza to sign the contract in her behalf. By affixing his
signature in the contract, Mr. Mendoza was put on notice of those irregularities
that led to its signing, given that it was DOTC, of which he was then Secretary,
which approved the recommendations of the BAC (Bids and Awards Committee)," the
special panel of investigators said in its report.
"The signatories to the NBN-ZTE contract are criminally culpable. The moment
a public official signs a grossly disadvantageous contract, he incurs criminal
liability even if the contract has been cancelled," the report read.
Explaining the inclusion of the former first gentleman in the list of
respondents, investigators noted his "unusual interest in the transaction, as
gathered from his acts of playing golf and having lunch with ZTE officials in
Shenzhen, China, and initiating a reconciliatory meeting between (Jose) De
Venecia III and Mr. Abalos" who had different proposals in mind on how the NBN
project should be carried out. De Venecia, a son and namesake of a former
speaker, is a businessman engaged in telecoms development. "His (Mr. Arroyo)
active intervention, as reflected earlier, in the transaction makes him a
conspirator in the approval of the ZTE's proposal and the eventual signing of
the contract," according to the Ombudsman investigators.
The investigators also noted that a day before the signing of the contract on
April 20, 2007, "GMA was already fully aware of all the irregularities attendant
thereto" but still "fast-tracked the conclusion of the contract."
"That GMA gave her imprimatur to the irregular and grossly disadvantageous
contract should dissipate any doubt about her personal interest therein," their
resolution read.
In indicting the former president, the Ombudsman also cited her having played
golf and had lunch with ZTE Corp. officials in China.
"Indeed, it cannot be gainsaid that GMA's acceptance of the invitation for a
round of golf and lunch with ZTE officials in Shenzhen, China during the
pendency of the negotiations towards the consideration of the grant of the ZTE
proposal constitutes a violation of Section 7(d)," the special panel of
investigators said.
Photographs of Arroyo playing golf in China came out shortly after the
NBN-ZTE transaction was exposed in 2007. This further fueled speculations that
the Arroyos were directly involved in the transaction.
Presiding Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr. set the raffling of
the case on Monday next week after New Year's Day.
No proof of plunder
In the same resolution, the investigators said that based on testimonies of
three witnesses, there is not enough basis to indict the Arroyos and former
administration officials for plunder.
The complainants led by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño and former Gabriela
representative Liza Maza had claimed that the Arroyos along with other
individuals including former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
director general Romulo Neri received $35 million in commissions and kickbacks
from ZTE Corp. in exchange for the approval of the NBN deal. Aside from De
Venecia, the other witnesses were Dante Madriaga and Leo San Miguel, a
consultant to ZTE. The witnesses presented their testimonies before the Senate
then hearing the NBN controversy. But the testimonies of the three, according to
the Ombudsman, "cannot tend to prove that money changed hands."
"We can, of course, draw inference from them that, among other things, Mr.
Abalos was the one who lobbied and pushed for the ZTE proposal, and the one who
received the alleged kickback," the resolution read.
"GMA may appear to have used her position to fast-track the ZTE contract, but
there is no sufficient evidence to link her to the receipt of the alleged
payment of commissions (and or) kickbacks," it said.
Reacting to the filing of the cases, Mr. Arroyo said they cannot be held
liable because the NBN deal didn't push through. "Also why was she (Mrs. Arroyo)
charged, when she did not sign it (contract). There is no contract so there is
no corpus delicti," Mr. Arroyo said.
He said he and his wife would likely be surprised by the filing of the cases.
The former leader has been banned from using mobile phones and laptop computers
while under detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Mr. Arroyo said
they would have to consult with their lawyers in January to study their next
move.
Meanwhile, Malacañang welcomed yesterday the filing of criminal charges
against former president Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the allegedly
overpriced NBN deal.
"The Filipino people have long been waiting for closure and this is the
process by which we as a people can get closure," deputy presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.
Valte said it would be up to the Office of the Ombudsman to explain the cases
it decided to press against Arroyo.
Asked whether the arrest and detention of Arroyo on charges of electoral
sabotage could be considered as the administration's biggest achievement in the
fight against corruption, Valte said not necessarily because a lot of efforts
had been exerted to cleanse the government.
No hearing
Meanwhile, lawyers of Mrs. Arroyo yesterday arrived at the Pasay court for a
hearing on their petition for bail only to find out that Judge Jesus Mupas is on
leave until Jan. 6.
"We really do not begrudge the judge for going on leave but when one is
handling a case where the accused are detained, he should have given it a
priority," Arroyo's lead lawyer Jose Flamiano told The STAR.
But Flaminiano's team, through co-counsel Laurence Arroyo, had been informed

by the court last Monday that Mupas was already on leave and could no longer
tackle their motion for bail. He will report back to work on Jan. 9, 2012.
Flaminiano said given the urgency of their pleadings, Mupas should have cut
short his leave or gone to work on a half day just to hear the petitions.
"Something could have had Mupas arrive. Say, he could have set the hearing
for the first working day next year," said Flaminiano.
Flaminiano added that he suggested to clerk of court Joel Pelicano for
Mupas's substitute judge or the executive judge to preside over the hearing
yesterday "but both of them were not around also."
Flaminiano said he is appealing to Mupas to cut short his vacation so they
can tackle their motion for bail on Jan.2.
"We cannot really compel him but we hope he shortens his leave so we can
tackle the motion for bail," said Flaminiano.
Electoral sabotage is a nonbailable offense but an accused can seek bail
proceedings.
Mupas earlier turned down Arroyo's request for furlough from Dec. 24 to Jan.
2 for security reasons.
"Besides, this would avoid possible unnecessary security problems and
complaints of residents of La Vista who would be subjected to security
restrictions once Arroyo is allowed to stay at the exclusive subdivision for the
holidays," he explained. – With Aie Balagtas See, Aurea
Calica - By Michael Punongbayan (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

FROM WIKIPEDIA
Philippine National Broadband Network controversy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from ZTE scandal)
The Philippine National Broadband Network controversy (also referred to as
the NBN/ZTE deal or NBN/ZTE mess) involved allegations of corruption in the
awarding of a US$329 million construction contract to Chinese telecommunications
firm ZTE for the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network (NBN).

The contract with ZTE was signed on April 20, 2007 in Hainan, China.
Following the emergence of irregularities, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
cancelled the National Broadband Network project in October 2007. On July 14,
2008, the Supreme Court dismissed all three petitions questioning the
constitutionality of the national broadband deal, saying the petitions became
moot when the project was cancelled.
Background
President Arroyo In April 2007, Philippine Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza and ZTE Vice
President Yu Yong entered into a US$329.5 million contract for a National
Broadband Network (NBN) that would improve government communications
capabilities.
On August 29, Nueva Vizcaya Congressman Carlos Padilla hinted in a privilege
speech that Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos went to
China to broker a deal for the NBN project. The following day, Abalos denied
brokering for the NBN project, although he did admit going to China four times.

On September 5, Senator Aquilino Pimentel called for a Senate investigation
about the NBN project. As a result, three committees held joint hearings about
the issue: the Accountability of Public Officers & Investigations (aka the
Blue Ribbon Committee) headed by Alan Peter Cayetano, the National Defense and
Security committee headed by Rodolfo Biazon and the Trade and Commerce committee
headed by Mar Roxas.
Senate investigations
De Venecia's testimony
Jose "Joey" de Venecia III, son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.,
testified on September 10 that he was with Abalos in China and that he heard
Abalos "demand money" from ZTE officials. The younger de Venecia was president
of Amsterdam Holdings, the company that lost its bid to ZTE for the NBN project.

On September 11, the Supreme Court of the Philippines promulgated a temporary
restraining order (TRO) on the $329-million national broadband network (NBN)
contract between the Philippine government and China's ZTE based on separate
certiorari suits filed by Iloilo Vice-Governor and former Representative Rolex
Suplico and Joey de Venecia III. Under political pressure from the opposition
group, the court gave ZTE fifteen days to comment on the injunction.
Suplico, a former opposition congressman, alleged that the agreement was
sealed without public bidding and violated the Telecoms Policy Act, which
required privatization of all telecommunications facilities. Congressman Padilla
sued DOTC and ZTE officials of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
Act, the Telecommunications Policy Act, the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Act and
the Government Procurement Act at the Office of the Ombudsman.
AHI also petitioned the Court to direct the DOTC to provide copies of the
contract, since it should have won the same. The younger de Venecia testified on
September 18 that Mike Arroyo, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband,
personally told him to "back off" from pursuing the NBN project.
Neri's testimony
On the September 20 Senate hearing, Cabinet officials attended the hearing
except for former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Chairman
(now Commission on Higher Education Chairman) Romulo Neri, who was sick. On
September 22, 2007, president Arroyo suspended the broadband contract with ZTE
after the bribery scandal sparked major problems in her government.
Neri and Abalos finally faced each other on the September 26 Senate hearing;
Neri testified that Abalos told him "Sec, may 200 ka dito (You have 200M pesos
in this deal)" while playing golf at Wack Wack Golf Club; they had been
discussing the ZTE deal at that time. Abalos denied making the apparent bribe
attempt. Neri later invoked executive privilege in response to some Senators'
questions. He later shunned succeeding Senate hearings still citing executive
privilege
On September 27, 2007, ZTE petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the TRO
alleging, in its urgent omnibus motion, inter alia, that the injunction cost the
company millions.
Abalos announced his resignation as COMELEC chairman on October 1;
Resurreccion Borra succeeded him as COMELEC chairman. President Arroyo on her
October 2 trip to China, said to Chinese President Hu Jintao her "difficult
decision" to cancel ZTE Corp.'s contract for the NBN project.
On May 26, 2008, a Supreme Court decision (Neri vs. Senate) nullified the
citation of contempt against Neri, ruling that conversations between Neri and
President Arroyo are considered classified information.
Lozada's kidnapping and testimony
On January 30, 2008, the Senate produced warrants of arrest to Neri and
Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr., former chief executive officer of the government-run
Philippine Forest Corporation and a consultant of the NEDA. Neri then went into
hiding while Lozada skipped the Senate hearing and went to Hong Kong. Meanwhile,
House Speaker de Venecia lost a motion of confidence vote on February 5, which
unseated him as House Speaker; his partymate at Lakas-CMD, Prospero Nograles of
Davao City, succeeded him as speaker.
On February 5, as the Senate arresting team waited on the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) on Lozada's arrival, Lozada was taken by
unidentified people "out of town" and Lozada's kin appealed for help on his
whereabouts. On February 7, Lozada finally surfaced as police took him to La
Salle Green Hills, Mandaluyong City. Lozada linked Mike Arroyo and Abalos to the
ZTE scandal. On the same day, the Supreme Court stopped the Senate from
arresting Neri, ordering a status quo; Neri then resurfaced after the threat of
arrest was taken off.
The next day, on a Philippine Senate hearing, Lozada confirmed his NEDA boss
Romulo Neri's testimony that Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairman Benjamin
Abalos and Arroyo's husband Mike Arroyo were behind the kickbacks in the deal.
Lozada's statement was made after he was "abducted" on the orders of Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Lito Atienza, Neri, former
Presidential Management Staff head Michael Defensor, Secretary for Special
Concerns Remedios Poblador and Deputy Executive Secretary Manuel Gaite.
On February 11, upon continuation of Senate hearings, the government denied
on kidnapping Lozada. Lozada claimed he was driven around Metro Manila and even
reached Los Baños, Laguna, before he was transported to the La Salle Green Hills
seminary. According to DENR Secretary Atienza, Lozada, who is his boss as the
Philippine Forest Corp. is under the DENR, asked for his help as "he feared for
his life" as he returned from Hong Kong. Joey de Venecia later claimed that ZTE
advanced USD 1 million to Abalos; senators pointed out that this qualifies as
"plunder" under Philippine criminal law since the advance was given when the
foreign exchange was at about PHP 50 to $1, thus equaling the PHP 50 million
floor for plunder.
Deputy Executive Secretary Manuel Gaite appeared on the February 26 hearing.
He had previously said that the P500,000 he gave to Lozada's brother was for
Lozada's expenses while staying at Hong Kong. Gaite said he "can't rationally
justify" the reason why he gave Lozada the hefty amount. He said that his action
"was moved by my conscience and my faith." Lozada earlier claimed that the
P500,000 was a bribe.
The Philippine Court of Appeals dismissed Jun Lozada's writ of amparo
petition for lack of evidence on his claim that there were threats to his life
and security. On September 23, 2008, Lozada asked the Supreme Court of the
Philippines to re-open and reconsider his case, thereby arguing for the
protection of his siblings, Violeta and Arturo.
Countersuit
Mike Defensor, on July 4, 2008 filed a 6-page perjury lawsuit Friday versus
Rodolfo Noel Lozada for "testifying under oath that he had paid Lozada P 50,000
to change his statement that he was not kidnapped at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) when he arrived from Hong Kong at the height of the
Philippine National Broadband Network controversy (ZTE Zhong Xing
Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited scandal)."
Madriaga testimony
Also on the February 26 hearing, Dante Madriaga, a ZTE-employed engineer,
claimed that USD 41 million was sought as "advances". ZTE then withheld more
money, saying they needed to see President Arroyo's face at the signing of the
contract.
Ombudsman cases
The Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez subpoenaed First Gentleman Mike
Arroyo, Neri, the de Venecias and Abalos to hear their side of the story. The
case was filed by former vice president Teofisto Guingona, Jr., several lawyers,
Fr. Jose Dizon and party-list Representatives Joel Villanueva and Ana Theresia
Hontiveros-Baraquel, among others.
Judgment
President Arroyo decided to cancel the National Broadband Network project on
October 2, 2007 in a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.[20] On July 14,
2008, the Supreme Court dismissed all three petitions questioning the
constitutionality of the national broadband deal, saying the petitions became
moot when President Arroyo decided to cancel the project.
Reactions
Following the testimony of Jun Lozada, several sectors and prominent people
such as Joey de Venecia and Senator Panfilo Lacson have called for President
Arroyo's resignation, while Senate President Manuel Villar and senator Alan
Peter Cayetano called for her to take a leave of absence. Vice President Noli de
Castro has said that President Arroyo and other government officials "should be
charged" if they would be found directly involved in the alleged anomalies.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines called an emergency
meeting on February 25, 2007 wherein they formed a collective stance which
refused to call for Arroyo's resignation, instead calling on her to be part of a
"moral reform process".
On February 29, 2008, a rally was held in the Makati City central business
district to protest corruption and call for the resignation of President Arroyo.
The rally's attendees, which included former Presidents Corazon Aquino and
Joseph Estrada, were estimated by police and rally organizers to be around 100
people.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-HL: PALACE HAS A 'PLAN B' TO OUST CORONA


PALACE HAS A 'PLAN B' TO OUST
CORONA

MANILA, DECEMBER
31, 2011 (STANDARD)
by Joyce Pangco Pañares and Christine F. Herrera - THE Palace said
Thursday it had a "Plan B" to remove Chief Justice Renato Corona in case he was
acquitted in his impeachment trial in the Senate.
But deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte declined to disclose the
details of the plan.
"We always have a contingency plan. But it would be better to leave it up to
President Benigno Aquino III to disclose the details of the plan," Valte said.

Mr. Aquino has already asked his legal team to draw up a list of possible
replacements for Corona, who was impeached by the House of Representatives on
his orders.
The President has repeatedly accused Corona of being loyal to former
President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is under hospital
arrest on electoral sabotage charges.
Reacting to a Supreme Court statement Wednesday, Valte said the short list of
candidates was not meant to supplant the Judicial and Bar Council, the sole body
tasked to nominate candidates to the high court.
Court Administrator Midas Marquez had earlier said it was "arrogant" of the
Palace to seek replacements even if the impeachment trial against Corona had yet
to start.
"We are just doing our homework," Valte said.
"We don't think it's too arrogant to have a contingency plan. This does not
mean we will supplant the functions of the JBC."
Valte said the Palace would respect the council's shortlist in the event of a
vacancy even if it did not include the candidates preferred by the
administration.
On Thursday, Arroyo and her allies blamed Mr. Aquino for snatching the
Christmas holidays from them by making them answer the charges against them over
the holidays.
Arroyo and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office officials, including
Manuel Morato, received plunder charges on Dec. 22 and were given a deadline to
reply by Jan. 2.
"The timing was terrible. No Christmas for us," Morato said.
Arroyo's lawyers Jose Flaminiano and Lawrence Arroyo, meanwhile, said they
were disappointed when they arrived at the Pasay Court Thursday to seek bail for
their client—only to learn that the judge was absent.
Clerk of Court Josel Pelicano told the lawyers that Judge Jesus Mupas had
gone on leave and the earliest that the bail petition could be heard was Jan. 9.

Even the chief justice was busy over the holidays because he had a Dec. 26
deadline to submit an answer to the impeachment complaint filed against him by
the House of Representatives.
"Please call Midas [Marquez, the Supreme Court spokesman]," Corona told the
Manila Standard.
"My full attention and focus right now are on my answer [to the impeachment
charges]. Sorry, okay? Merry Christmas."


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-HL: AQUINO LACKS NUMBERS TO CONVICT CJ: CORONA ACQUITTAL BY SENATE 'POSSIBLE'


AQUINO LACKS NUMBERS TO CONVICT CJ: CORONA
ACQUITTAL BY SENATE 'POSSIBLE'

MANILA, DECEMBER 31,
2011 (MANILA TIMES) (PHOTO - Chief Justice
Renato Corona) Aquino lacks numbers for conviction.
President Benigno Aquino 3rd may have won the battle against Supreme Court
(SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona but not the war in his apparent pressure on the
Senate impeachment court to hand
down a guilty verdict against the country's top magistrate.
Malacañang on Friday admitted that it lacks the numbers among senators that
would ensure conviction of Corona on charges leveled against him by the House of
Representatives, which earlier impeached him.
"That [acquittal of the Chief Justice] is a possibility. We are not closed to
that kind of possibility.
While we are confident that Corona will be impeached, confidence is different
from certainty," its chief political adviser Ronald Llamas said.
"We are not sure [if we have the numbers in the Senate]. That will depend on
the senators and the evidence that will be presented. That will be the decisive
factor, although other factors may come into play," he added.
Llamas said that voting in the Senate impeachment court might be affected by
the 2013 elections, specially by those who are running for reelection and those
who will field their relatives.
"Although it will not be the dominant variable, let us not forget that an
impeachment process is not a purely legal process. It is also a political
process," he added.
Meanwhile, Llamas denied statements made on Thursday by Palace deputy
spokesman Abigail Valte that the Aquino administration had prepared a Plan B if
the Chief Justice was acquitted by the senator-judges.
"We have not yet talked about that in Malacañang," he said.
President Aquino earlier asked his legal advisers to draft a list of possible
replacements for Corona even if there is no vacancy yet in the country's highest
judicial post.
This early, lawmakers are accusing Corona of delaying the impeachment trial.

In a text message, Rep. Ben Evardone of Easten Samar also on Friday said that
the Senate would take half a year to verify if all the lawmakers who voted to
remove the Chief Justice affixed their signatures to the eight Articles of
Impeachment that the House sent to the Senate.
Rep. Rodolfo Farinas of Ilocos Norte, a member of the Hose prosecution team,
this week admitted that he did not.
According to Evardone, if the Senate impeachment court decided to determine
first the issue of verification, each of the 188 congressmen who signed the
complaint would be put on the witness stand to "state whether they read the
resolution" that ousted Corona.
He was reacting to Corona's defense team earlier filing a motion for
preliminary hearing before the impeachment court, a move that would prevent the
trial from proceeding as scheduled early next year.
Standing in the path of the defense is a perceived enemy of Corona.
Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, according to a source of The Manila Times,
will write the ruling on a consolidated petition for certiorari seeking to stop
the senator-judges from holding the impeachment trial.
Carpio supposedly had hoped that then-President Gloria Arroyo would appoint
him as Chief Justice but the post eventually went to Corona.
Consolidated were four petitions filed by Danilo Lihaylihay, lawyer Vladimir
Cabigao, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Vicente Millora and
human-rights lawyer Oliver Lozano.
The petitions were raffled off to different justices, with the lowest docket
number going to Carpio.
Under the Internal Rules of the High Tribunal, different petitions anchored
on the same legal grounds shall be consolidated and the ponente will be the
magistrate who gets the lowest docket number. Lihaylihay's petition had the
lowest number.
The four petitioners had asked the Supreme Court to nullify the eight
Articles of Impeachment, the product of a "conspiracy" between Mr. Aquino and
the lawmakers and "undue haste." With reports from Ruben D.
Manahan 4th and Llanesca T. Panti


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-HL: RIZALISTAS REENACT HERO'S LAST STEPS FROM FORT SANTIAGO TO BAGUMBAYAN


RIZALISTAS REENACT HERO'S LAST STEPS FROM FORT
SANTIAGO TO BAGUMBAYAN

[PHOTO -
Under Rizal's watch: A father talks with his daughter against the
backdrop of a giant portrait of national hero Jose Rizal at the Tourism
Department's office in Manila. DANNY PATA]

MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2011 (INQUIRER) By Jeannette
I. Andrade - In all their Filipiniana finery and old-fashioned "sapatillas," men
and women dedicated to living by Jose Rizal's nationalist principles and
teachings on Friday walked a kilometer from Fort Santiago to the Rizal Park in
Manila to reenact his martyrdom 115 years ago.
It was one of the the biggest gatherings of Rizalistas in the country. Some
400 people, aged 13 to 80, took part in the annual tradition of commemorating
the national hero's ultimate sacrifice.
Members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKR) and its affiliates, the
Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI), the Maria Clara ni Rizal and the Kabataang
Pangarap ni Rizal (Kapariz), retraced the national hero's final walk from his
prison cell in Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) where he was
executed by firing squad.
A member of the OKR supreme council posed as Jose Rizal, while two of his
fellow members were dressed as priests Estanislao March and Jose Villaclara.
Another member represented Lt. Taviel de Andrade.
From the prison cell in the centuries-old fortress, the marchers followed the
footsteps of Rizal's death walk, marked in bronze embedded along the paved paths
from Fort Santiago to Luneta. Some of the bronze footsteps were missing.
While it was the commemoration of a sad part of the country's history, it was
a festive reunion for Rizalistas and their tribute to the national hero.
"This retracing of the last footsteps of Dr. Jose Rizal is to remind us of
his last moments before his execution. Even though these moments were very
crucial, he was jolly despite the fact that he was going to be executed," said
Melanie Cecilia Lapore, a KRI member.
Lapore said Rizal "symbolizes bravery and resignation to his fate to
sacrifice his life for his country and countrymen."
Senior members of the Rizalista organizations, some of them using canes, led
the march. For them, it was waking up before dawn and participating in the
kilometer-long walk once every year on Rizal Day.
Lapore said the elderly Rizalistas were assisted midway by the younger
Kapariz members, most of whom hailed from as far as the provinces of Bohol and
Davao and the Ilocos region.
Apart from the Kapariz members, the 20 finalists from different colleges and
universities around the country for the Jose Rizal Model Students of the
Philippines search joined the marchers.
Youth participants
The participation of the younger generation was a good sign for the older
Rizalistas, most of whom were teachers and professionals. "These young people
are getting involved and they are achievers with the highest honors. Rizal is an
inspiration to and an ideal role model for them," Lapore said.
The KRI complements the Kapariz in education, which the national hero
described as "the most powerful avenue to liberate ourselves," said Lapore.
"The women have a role in our quest for liberation. Before it was from
colonization, now it is from corruption and poverty," she said.
She added, "I feel like we have the responsibility to provide guidance to a
child. From this we have a say in how the country ultimately ends up."
Rizal's last footsteps give a strong message that we all should embrace, she
said. "He greeted his last morning with so much energy and light-heartedness. He
had no bitterness at all for his sacrifice for country and for his compatriots
which should be the kind of attitude we must have in giving our all to the
country," Lapore said.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-HL: CAGAYAN DE ORO DEVELOPS TENT CITY FOR FLOOD VICTIMS


CAGAYAN DE ORO DEVELOPS TENT CITY FOR FLOOD
VICTIMS

[PHOTO
- TENT CITY: Navy reservists put up tents at a site for families left
homeless by storm 'Sendong' in Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City yesterday.
JONJON VICENCIO]
MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2011 (STAR) Cagayan de Oro
City Mayor Vicente Emano is fast-tracking the development of a nine-hectare
relocation site for former residents of flood-prone areas, like river deltas,
along the Cagayan de Oro River.
"This is in line with President Aquino's directive not to allow people to
live in flood-prone areas," Emano said.
Residents of the flooded areas had earlier asked the city government to allow
them to rebuild their homes at the same sites under a so-called "piso-piso"
program, but Emano pointed out that giving in to their plea would only expose
them to danger when another typhoon or flood hits the city.
The affected residents had been living on the river deltas long before he was
elected as the city's chief executive.
The relocation site is part of the city's 64-hectare resettlement project in
Sitio Calaanan in Barangay Canitoan and families whose houses were totally
destroyed or wiped out by the floods caused by the storm will be given priority.

Emano lamented that some bodies of flood victims had to be temporarily
gathered near the landfill because local funeral parlors and mortuaries,
overwhelmed by the number of flood victims, had refused to accept more corpses.

He clarified, however, that he was negotiating with the National Grid Corp.
of the Philippines for the use of the firm's hangar in Lumbia to house the
bodies, which would also allow the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct
its identification process.
Emano ordered the construction of a two-level chamber with compartments at
the city cemetery in Bolonsiri, Barangay Camaman-An where the unidentified
cadavers were buried and gave assurance that the recovery effort would not stop
until the last body is recovered, identified and buried.
"Rebuilding what the disaster destroyed will be a long process. We will
rebuild homes and infrastructure and implement measures to ensure the safety of
city residents, taking into account disaster prevention and climate change
mitigation," he said.
Cagayan de Oro was one of the most affected by the floods triggered by the
huge amount of rain brought by Sendong. About 6,737 families or a total of
38,767 people from the city's 29 barangays were taken to 19 evacuation centers
after losing their homes.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in the
meantime, assured thousands of survivors that they will be having new homes in
the 26-hectare lot donated by the city-based National Steel Corp. (NSC).
A joint disaster rehabilitation meeting was held between top NDRRMC, Iligan
City local officials and private executives to finalize the relocation plan of
the displaced families to the NSC donated lot.
NDRRMC chief Benito Ramos said that while the exact figure of the total
number of the displaced families and individuals in Iligan is not in his hand at
the moment, he gave assurance the lot could accommodate most of them.
Ramos said there are also survivors coming from faraway villages now staying
in evacuation centers in Iligan.
He said that aside from the city government and the NDRRMC, concerned
government agencies like the National Housing Authority (NHA) are now actively
involved in the government's pre-rehabilitation operations.
In Cagayan de Oro, soldiers and other non-government groups are now busy
building shelters for the thousands of survivors who are staying at city
schools, at the back of a major shopping mall near the city's Lumbia airport.

Ramos said that they are hoping these shelters would be ready for occupancy
by Jan. 3, in time for the resumption of classes after the Christmas and New
Year's school break.
Blame it on the politicians
Environmental group Kalipunan ng mga Mamamayan para sa Kalikasan (KALIKASAN)
is blaming local officials for allowing illegal settlers to occupy the
riverbanks in the two provinces, including Butuan, Surigao, Bayugan, Cabadbaran
and Tandag cities in Caraga region.
KALIKASAN, which made a study on settlers along riverbanks, warned that what
had happened in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan could also happen in the cities of
Butuan, Cabadbaran, Tandag, Surigao and Bayugan and other places if local
officials would not relocate riverbanks settlers.
KALIKASAN director for advocacy and campaign Dr. Herminigildo Pelandres said
elected officials are more concerned with losing votes in the next elections
than protecting the environment.
He also hit law enforcers and corrupt Department of Environment Natural
Resources (DENR) officials who are in cahoots with illegal loggers.
UNICEF calls for more donations
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called yesterday on
the public to help them raise $4.8 million for the children-victims of Sendong.

To be able to respond to the effects of Sendong, UNICEF is calling for $ 5.8
million out of the $28.6 million requested by the United Nations.
"However, only $1 million of the funding needed to carry out these programs
has been raised. A further $4.8 million is needed," the agency said in a
statement.
For donations to UNICEF Philippines, visit www.unicef.ph or call 758-1000.

"UNICEF workers have been on the ground since immediately after the disaster,
working with our partners to deliver essential supplies and provide services to
children who are most in need. But there's still a lot of work to be done, and
UNICEF is committed to ensuring that the work is done," Trevor Clark, UNICEF
chief of Mindanao office said.
UNICEF national ambassador Gary Valenciano visited yesterday the children
affected by the storm and delivered his message of hope and healing through a
special concert.
"We are calling on all our UNICEF supporters not to forget the children
affected by Sendong. Any amount you give will go a long way to ensure that these
children get back on their feet. Please go to www.unicef.ph to learn how you can
help," Valenciano said.
Mine safety group steps up relief drive
The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), under its
Pusong Minero program, has intensified its relief operations to aid the victims
of typhoon Sendong with the help of its member companies and other partners,
according to PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento.
"As we continue to mourn for the victims of the flashflood and mudflow caused
by storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, we are overwhelmed at the
assistance and support that continue to flood our Pusong Minero program to aid
our fellow Filipinos. The acts of generosity which continue to flow from the
hearts of PMSEA member companies and other partners genuinely depict a Pusong
Minero – a heart to serve, a heart to save lives," Sarmiento said.
The Pusong Minero team handed over needed goods including sleeping mats and
special cadaver bags to the Cagayan de Oro city government.
At present, PMSEA's Pusong Minero relief operations are ongoing in
coordination with the NDRRMC
OIC vows assistance
The 56-member Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has vowed to provide
assistance to the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan regardless of religious
affiliations, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Secretary Bai Omera
Dianalan-Lucman said yesterday.
Lucman said the OIC has already sent a humanitarian mission team to Mindanao
to assess the situation of the communities ravaged by the typhoon. The team is
considering short and long-term assistance for the victims.
"The OIC is determined to assist Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City to rise from
the ashes and start anew, especially knowing that most of those affected by
Sendong belong to the impoverished sector," Lucman said.
Lucman, together with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and other
local leaders welcomed the OIC officials in Cagayan de Oro City on Dec. 26.
The team returned to Saudi Arabia on Friday to report on the result of their
assessment.
The OIC humanitarian mission team is composed of Ibrahim Abdullah
Al-Khuzayem, executive director of the Islamic Solidarity Fund; Taher Ahmed
Saif, director of the Muslim Minorities Department; Abdoulaye Kebe, professional
officer of the Humanitarian Affairs Department; and Ambassador Bakary Drame,
special counselor to the Secretary-General. Rommel Romato, vice-consul of the
Department of Foreign Affairs assisted the team in its Mindanao mission.
Earlier, the NCMF conducted relief missions in various affected Muslim
communities in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. – Helen Flores,
Ben Serrano, Jaime Laude


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-HL: THE PHILIPPINES IN 2011: A STORMY YEAR OF IMPEACHMENTS, DISASTERS


THE PHILIPPINES IN 2011: A STORMY YEAR OF
IMPEACHMENTS, DISASTERS

[PHOTO -
STORMY 2011: Photo shows a flooded Roxas Boulevard during a storm surge
at the height of typhoon 'Pedring' last Sept. 27. Top newsmakers include
(clockwise from top right) former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was
prevented from leaving the country; ex-defense chief Angelo Reyes, who took his
own life; Chief Justice Renato Corona, who faces an impeachment court next year,
and former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who was impeached but stepped down
before her trial. STAR PHOTOS]
MANILA, DECEMBER 31, 2011 (STAR) By Juaniyo
Arcellana - Impeach was the word of the year, with the former ombudsman and the
Chief Justice being the target of political proceedings, both being identified
with the past Arroyo administration.
President Aquino could not be swayed from his straight path, opting to
fulfill his campaign promise of going after those who wasted the country's
resources and swelled the ranks of the poor. (Kung walang corrupt, walang
mahirap.)
Blood was spilled too in 2011. former Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes, who
had served in various capacities in the Cabinet of the previous administration,
committed suicide before his parents' graves after being given a dressing down
by a former underling at a Senate inquiry on corruption in the military. A
lawyer of a state-run bank also took his own life, under pressure to expose
supposed backroom deals.
Filipino drug mules were executed in China, and former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo was arrested on charges of electoral sabotage, but not before
trying to leave the country for treatment of a recurring spine injury.
Not one but two major storms hit the country, "Pedring" in the usual monsoon
month of September that brought a surge of waves along Roxas Boulevard, and the
more destructive "Sendong" entering through the southern backdoor in December to
draw the curtains on another troubling year, one that Filipinos can only be glad
is over.
The top stories of the past 12 months:
The scene looked somewhat familiar, but Arroyo the ex-president turned
congresswoman was arrested on Nov. 18 after the Pasay City regional trial court
found probable cause to charge her and several others with poll fraud. Just
three days earlier she had been stopped at the airport when she was to board a
plane for Hong Kong to seek medical treatment for her back, for which she had
undergone three surgeries. She is now under hospital arrest at the Veterans
Memorial Medical Center, where her predecessor Joseph Estrada had also been
detained about a decade ago on charges of plunder. She spent the holidays at
VMMC after her request for furlough was denied.
Tropical storm Sendong wreaked havoc on Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas
on the weekend before Christmas, the death toll reaching more than a thousand
and another thousand still missing, the aftermath of which has been described as
a humanitarian disaster: potable water running out after whole neighborhoods
were wiped out by flashfloods, bodies piling up in mortuaries and a shortage of
coffins. It was a tragedy hardly anyone expected, putting a damper to the
holidays, but international aid started to pour in and civic and other groups
began to mobilize to bring help to the victims, mostly in the southern cities of
Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete.
In what was probably the year's first big story, retired General Reyes turned
a gun on himself at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina on the morning of Feb.
8, his blood splattering on the tombstone of his mother. Before his death Reyes
was accused of collecting P50 million in sendoff money by a former AFP budget
officer. When he tried to defend himself at the Senate inquiry, he was cut short
by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, former leader of the Magdalo group who had accused
Reyes of corruption during the Oakwood mutiny in 2003, which treatment from a
fellow PMAer the late general said he "did not expect." He was 65.
The impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona in December by the House of
Representatives was criticized for its seeming haste, gathering signatures of
188 lawmakers or twice the required number to send the complaint to the Senate
for trial. Corona was impeached for alleged betrayal of public trust, violation
of the Constitution, and graft and corruption, stemming for the most part from
his close association with the former president Arroyo. The Palace has pointed
to Corona, possibly GMA's crowning glory, as a stumbling block to the
administration's program of reform, but those who sided with the judiciary
detected a brewing demagogue. The Senate will be arbiter to avert a
constitutional crisis when trial begins in January.
The year might almost be book ended by the execution of Filipino drug mules
in China – three in March, and the last in December. A trip by Vice President
Jejomar Binay to Beijing in February was able to delay the execution of
Elizabeth Batain, Ramon Credo and Sally Ordinario-Villanueva by a month, but in
December the fourth mule whose family requested privacy to remain unnamed was
granted no such deferment as Binay's request for a last minute appeal to Beijing
was denied. China reiterated that the decision of its most supreme court was
final. A total of 208 Filipinos are involved in drug-related cases in China,
including Hong Kong and Macau, and 70 of them have been sentenced to death with
two-year reprieve, according to Department of Foreign Affairs records.
Troubled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in various parts of the globe were
like a recurring nightmare as governments fell in the Middle East and North
Africa, an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in March, and an earthquake hit New
Zealand in February where more than a dozen Filipinos died in a collapsed
building in Christchurch. President Aquino donated $1 million for the
reconstruction of the local city hall in Ishinomaki City, Japan, that was
destroyed by the disaster resembling an apocalypse. Last March Foreign Secretary
Albert del Rosario went to Libya to pursue repatriation operations and brought
400 OFWs to safety. Now operations are underway to get compatriots out of
strife-torn Syria.
The meeting in Tokyo last August between Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad drew criticism due to the manner it was
conducted and the lobbying of the MILF for a Bangsamoro substate. Government
negotiators, however, assured the public that there would be no repeat of the
botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in 2008 that
led to a rampage by rogue members of the front. The conflict between government
and the MILF was highlighted in October when 19 soldiers were killed in an
encounter while going after a wanted MILF commander in a so-called area of
temporary stay.
Then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez resigned on April 29, ten days before her
impeachment trial at the Senate. In March more than 200 members of the House
voted to impeach her based on separate complaints by party-list members, for her
alleged failure to act on corruption and human rights violation cases of Arroyo.
During his second State of the Nation Address in July, Aquino announced the new
ombudsman would be recently retired Supreme Court associate justice Conchita
Carpio-Morales.
The balance of power in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) was
intermittently in the news throughout the year, from two Chinese navy gunboats
'harassing' a Department of Energy research vessel in the vicinity of Recto Bank
(Reed Bank) in the Spratlys early in the year, to an incident in May where
Chinese jet fighters buzzed two Philippine air force planes on a test routine
patrol. Months later a Philippine Navy gunboat rammed one of the Chinese fishing
vessels in the area.
Those keeping close tabs on the Aquino administration are noting how two
issues will pan out: the Marcos burial and agrarian reform in Hacienda Luisita.
But the President has put his foot down on any hero's burial for the late
dictator under his watch, this after asking his vice president to resolve the
macabre dilemma. Meanwhile the Supreme Court has voted unanimously to partition
the Cojuangco-owned Luisita in Tarlac to farmer beneficiaries, after a long
legal tussle including a stock share option for the farmers.
Now you see him now you don't, Sen. Panfilo Lacson surfaced early in the year
after months in hiding due to the Dacer-Corbito murder case after his arrest
warrant was canceled, and he resumed his duties at the Senate not quite the
oppositionist he used to be. Yet it was like he never left. – With CJ Pagulong, STAR research


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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