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PHNO-HT: REPORT: SENATE TO CONVICT CJ, VERDICT AIMS TO SPARE NOY FROM EMBARRASSMENT

REPORT: SENATE TO CONVICT CJ, VERDICT AIMS TO SPARE NOY FROM
EMBARRASSMENT

[PHOTO OF Photo Senate
Judges courtesy of POOL/REUTER]
MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (MANILA
TIMES) Written by : JAIME PILAPIL REPORTER - Out of respect
for the Office of the President, particularly for a popular leader, majority if
not all of the current 23 senator-judges will vote to convict impeached Supreme
Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, a respectable senator, who asked not to be
identified, recently told a select group of reporters covering the Malacañang
beat.
The male senator, who is not a member of the ruling Liberal Party, said that
only Sen. Joker Arroyo is the remaining senator-judge who is not inclined to
vote for the conviction of Corona.
He added that the rest, including Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, would accede
to the call of President Benigno Aquino 3rd to vote for the expulsion of Corona
from the Supreme Court.
"I'm sure the senators would heed the call of the President and they would
vote for the conviction of the Chief Justice," the senator told reporters over
dinner somewhere in Manila near Malacañang, official residence of President
Aquino.
In a bid to give credence to his analysis, he gave a rundown of the voting
inclination of the senator-judges.
Corona needs seven votes to acquit and 16 votes to convict.
The four senators from the Liberal Party—Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona
3rd, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan—would vote for conviction, according to
the source of The Manila Times.
Of the current 23 senators, six are eligible for reelection in the 2013
polls.
The six senators would be forced to vote for Corona's conviction so as not to
suffer the public wrath since Mr. Aquino is largely popular in the countryside.

They are Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Loren
Legarda, Antonio Trillanes 4th and Aquilino Pimentel 3rd.
The remaining six votes needed to convict the Chief Justice would be easily
attainable from Ramon Revilla Jr., Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile,
Pia Cayetano, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vicente Sotto 3rd, Sergio Osmena 2nd and
Lito Lapid.
All of them were winners in the 2010 elections.
Only four are not eligible for reelection in 2013—Joker Arroyo, Pangilinan,
Panfilo Lacson and Manuel Villar.
If the President wants to play safe, he could easily get the votes of
Pangilinan and Lacson, who, according to The Times source, are salivating for
Cabinet posts anyway.
After two weeks, the impeachment court headed by Senate President Enrile was
yet to finish presentation of evidence.
Although the impeachment court ruled against the Corona family members taking
the witness stand, the prosecution was successful in having the statements of
assets, liabilities and net worth of the Chief Justice shown to the
senators-judges, including his income-tax returns.
Meanwhile, Malacañang deputy spokesman Abigail Valte on Sunday said that it
was still premature to find out the voting inclination of the senator-judges.

"At this point in the proceedings, it is still premature to gauge the
senator-judges. The senators are very judicious and comporting as to their
behavior," Valte added.
She said that the voting inclination of the senator-judges would be evident
when proceedings at the Senate impeachment court are about to wind up or when
the voting on the fate of Corona is fast approaching.

[Children run after a dragon kite during a kite flying exhibition in
Rizal Park in Manila yesterday. The activity is part of the Philippine Arts
Festival in celebration of National Arts Month. VAL
RODRIGUEZ]

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HT: MAR ROXAS: IMPEACHMENT PART OF AQUINO ADMINISTRATION CAMPAIGN

MAR ROXAS: IMPEACHMENT PART OF AQUINO ADMINISTRATION
CAMPAIGN

[PHOTO - "What we do need
as a people… is simply what I like to call an activist government." by Senator
Mar Roxs]
MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (MANILA
BULLETIN) By KRIS BAYOS - The move to impeach Chief Justice
Renato C. Corona is part of the Aquino administration's efforts to reform key
institutions in the Philippines, particularly the country's judicial system,
according to Transportation Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.
Roxas said unseating Corona is part of the "common battle" to break gridlock
of corruption in government.
Speaking at a regional conference of the Philippine Institute of Certified
Public Accountants in Makati City, Roxas dismissed observations that the
impeachment of Corona is about personalities.
"The impeachment is not about Corona, or even former President Gloria
Arroyo," Roxas said.
"It is about P-Noy's determination to break the gridlock where the country
cannot move forward, and grow because of the culture of 'SOP (Standard Operating
Procedure)', and 'Business-As-Usual' which has permeated our government, and
society in general," he said.
Roxas described the impeachment as "an opportunity that President Aquino has
grabbed to unravel the proverbial Gordian Knot of corruption that has gripped
the country."
He also cited the recent dismissal of National Bureau of Investigation chief
Magtanggol Gatdula as a signal to the Filipino people that the government is
serious in adhering to the "Matuwid na Daan" (Straight Path).
The DoTC chief acknowledged that the President's resolve to go after the
highest official of the country's judicial system is "a hard decision."
"Hindi madali (This is not easy)," the DOTC secretary said. "But P-Noy
realized that without this change, special interest groups will always come in
at every turn, and stifle the movement of reforms, the arrival of clear
decisions that need to be made, all of which are very important to our economy."

Roxas stressed that without these hard decisions "important issues that need
to be resolved will be forgotten, as it always has been during the past
administrations, and trillions of pesos of economic value will be lost forever."

The former senator and investment banker pointed to the "flip-flopping"
decisions of the Supreme Court under Corona as an example of the uncertainties
which investors in the Philippines have had to contend with in the country.
"An example is the cityhood Dinagat, or the about-face on the decision on the
Philippine Airlines issue," Roxas said.
"There were no certainty in these decisions and their respective reversals.
How can a country move forward when there is no certainty that one entity who
has won in one manner, can just as easily lose it when the decision is reversed
the next time? Surely, no investor will even consider us in the future, and opt
instead for the more stable political climes of our neighbors," he pointed out.

Roxas likewise cited the importance of the Philippine Accounting Standards
and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to govern the preparation of
financial statements, which the Philippine Institute of Certified Public
Accountants strictly adheres to.
"Can you imagine how unreliable analysis decision-making is if these rules
are constantly changing? It's bad enough if they're changing; it's worse if
they're changing back and forth," Roxas said.
"You wouldn't know what these numbers mean. It is in that context that the
P-Noy government is waging the reform battle against the SC," he said.

[Devotees take part in a procession in honor of the Sto. Niño on Roxas
Boulevard in Manila yesterday. Hundreds of elaborately dressed images of the
Child Jesus are placed on carriages during the procession held every last Sunday
of January. VAL RODRIGUEZ]

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-OPINION: CORONA - GUILTY OR NOT, A FOREGONE CONCLUSION

OPINION: CORONA - GUILTY OR NOT, A FOREGONE
CONCLUSION

MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (MANILA STANDARD) By Bong
Austero - Many among us try to project this impression that we
continue to have an open mind as to whether or not the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court is guilty of the crimes for which he has been impeached by the
House of Representatives and being tried by the Senate.
There are those who go through the motions of following the proceedings of
the impeachment trial purportedly for the purpose of discerning for themselves
the real value of the tons of evidence presented thus far, or conversely,
ascertaining the real merits of the spirited arguments of the defense panel.

There continue to be many who pretend that they have not made up their minds
yet about the guilt or innocence of the Chief Justice—and I am not necessarily
talking about Senators Frank Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, or Ralph Recto.
Let us get real, people. Most of us who give a flying fig about the issue
have already made up our minds a long time ago. And many of us made the decision
based on party affiliation, our degree of affection or dislike for the main
protagonists, and other subjective considerations.
The only people who haven't made up their minds yet are those who just don't
care one way or the other. These are the people who cannot and do not see how
the impeachment of the chief magistrate will affect their lives or improve their
lot, those who tend to see the whole thing as a very costly exercise with
dubious practical value, or those who are disenchanted with the way the stink of
politics tend to dirty everything else in this country.
Please spare me the lecture about how the impeachment process is the bedrock
of democracy and how everyone should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty
or at least allowed to defend himself against his accusers.
Please stop telling me that the whole process is designed to ensure fairness
and to usher out justice.
We all know that the impeachment trial is not about fairness or justice
regardless of the number of times these words are invoked like an
all-encompassing mantra by the senator-judges and the members of the prosecution
and defense panels.
Impeachment is a political exercise. And sadly, the level of political
maturity in this country is not something we can crow about. We're still
electing clowns and their wives to public office.
We're still relying on sheer charisma and political machinery to propel
people into office. We're still mistaking looks, eloquence and pedigree for
competence. And worse, we still continue to strengthen political patronage and
use political largesse to buy affections, affiliations, and yes, votes.
The prosecution panel wants to convey the impression that it wants to try the
Chief Justice based on the rules of impeachment. What balderdash! Any person
with eyes, ears, and half a functioning brain can see what the prosecution is up
to. It just wants to overwhelm everyone with accusations. It is not interested
in building a tight case—it wants to instigate a mob and force a decision based
on outrage and emotions.
The defense wants to convey the impression that it is scoring points during
the impeachment hearing because its lawyers are able to outwit, out-argue,
out-maneuver the prosecution. They can score points inside the hall, but I doubt
very much if they can claim that they are winning the public relations battle.

The bright boys at Malacañang Palace has been trying to pretend that they are
leaving Chief Justice Renato Corona's fate up to the senator justices. What
hogwash!
The government has marshaled the resources of the whole bureaucracy in
support of the impeachment.
Is there anyone in this country who believes the Bureau of Internal Revenue
came up with the kind of information they were able to present to the
impeachment court in a matter of days with just one person working on it?
And let's all face it. No less than that the President of the Republic of the
Philippines has been strongly championing Corona's impeachment.
Benigno Simeon Aquino III has not made secret his overwhelming and consuming
passion to oust Corona from the Supreme Court.
In fact, if we are to interpret the President's pronouncements on the issue
sans the diplomacy that a head of state is supposed to observe, it would be
this: I don't care what it takes or how you do it, just get that son of a b*tch
out of there as soon as possible, preferably right this very minute.
In fairness to some of the senator judges, in particular, Senate President
Juan Ponce Enrile, there are efforts to imbue the proceedings with as much
integrity and fairness as possible. But then again, we all know how politicians
in this country conduct themselves when push comes to shove.
Lest we forget, 2013 is an election year and half of the people sitting as
senator judges are running for re-election. They cannot afford to waste
political capital.
So must of us watch the impeachment trial for our own reasons.
There are those who watch it for entertainment, like it's the biggest and
most spectacular soap opera ever produced. And if we come to think about it, the
costs associated with this trial are staggering.
For example, the legislation has virtually come to a halt with the trial.
Lawyers and law students watch it mainly for its educational content, like it's
a law school on air where Justice Serafin Cuevas is professor and people like
Niel Tupas are, well, the clueless students.
But seriously guys, who are we kidding? The end result of this impeachment
trial is already a foregone conclusion. What we are seeing are valiant efforts
to just prove a point or two.

[A boy looks at the waters of Manila Bay from his family's shanty along
the coast of Navotas City. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the government
will work to make the bay fit for swimming before President Aquino steps down in
2016. BOY SANTOS]

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-BE: PESO FALLS: GOVERNMENT MISSED ECONOMIC GROWTH TARGET FOR 2011

PESO FALLS: GOVERNMENT MISSED ECONOMIC GROWTH TARGET FOR
2011

[PHOTO
- A boat bearing a huge fish replica takes part in a fluvial parade as part of
the Sigay Festival in Binmaley, Pangasinan the other day. CESAR RAMIREZ]
MANILA, JANUARY
31, 2012 (INQUIRER) By: Michelle V. Remo —The peso fell on the
first trading day of the week following the government's announcement that it
missed its economic growth target for 2011 and amid concerns the external
environment would remain challenging in 2012.
The local currency closed at 43.075 against the US dollar on Monday, down by
22.5 centavos from Friday's finish of 42.85:$1.
Intraday high hit 42.75:$1, while intraday low settled at 43.085:$1. Volume
of trade amounted to $1.146 billion from 1.052 billion previously.
The National Statistical Coordination Board announced Monday that the
economy, measured in terms of gross domestic product, grew by 3.7 percent in
2011 from a year before. This was short of the government's official target of
4.5 to 5.5 percent.
Meanwhile, concerns about the lingering debt problems in the eurozone also
dampened demand for the peso as well as for other emerging markets' currencies.

European leaders are meeting in Brussels Tuesday to complete talks on
resolving the crisis in the eurozone through deficit reduction and a bailout
package of about $661 billion.
Analysts said that while the ongoing talks have indicated commitment of the
eurozone policymakers to resolving the crisis, the austerity measures to be
implemented would lead to very slow growth for economies in the Western region.

PPP program put on high gear in '12 By: Riza T.
Olchondra Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—The year 2012 will be a "very busy" one for the Aquino
government's public-private partnership (PPP) program, according to PPP Center
executive director Cosette Canilao.
And to help push it into higher gear, the agency will be working closely with
local government units.
"LGU work is a very important component of our PPP program," Canilao said,
adding that capacity building workshops are being held for LGUs.
Higher-level training sessions are also being conducted for personnel of
government's implementing agencies involved in the PPP program.
The P900-million Vaccine Self-Sufficiency Program of the Department of Health
could be the first one on the auction block, Canilao said, and it will soon be
followed by many more.
Project review
The PPP Center continues to review prospective projects and to accept
applications for Project Development and Monitoring Facility funding.
There are currently a lot of proposals for sanitation, water services,
commercial and tourism projects.
The PPP Center is even considering a proposal on the restoration of heritage
buildings, starting in Metro Manila, which could enhance the country's tourism
campaign.
These projects are in the early stages and may be developed next year, but
this early, companies which may not be able to participate in the bigger
national projects can start looking into LGU-specific projects, Canilao said.

"The PPP program is exactly the framework where big and small, foreign and
local companies all have a level playing field and can participate in a
transparent bidding process," Canilao said.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr., who is also
director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said
the government is continuing to screen projects and working on ways to allow as
many companies to participate as possible.
Foreign ownership
On concerns about foreign ownership and related issues that may hamper
foreign investment in PPP programs, Paderanga said that foreign firms can
participate in components of projects or partner with Filipino companies when it
comes to operating such critical infrastructure as utilities.
Paderanga also said that the Philippines' development partners are open to
providing financial support to replenish the P550 million Project Development
and Monitoring Facility, which the PPP Center taps for pre-investment studies of
PPP projects, as needed.
Financial experts, meanwhile, said that market players are "managing" their
expectations.
BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Eduardo V. Francisco said that he
was very optimistic on PPP.
"Even three to four successful auctions would be already good signal," he
said.
Francisco said a faster pace in the PPP program would help shield the
Philippines from external risks and build the country's image as an
investor-friendly market.
Astro C. del Castillo, managing director of brokerage firm First Grade
Holdings Inc., said there is a "bigger window of opportunity" this year since
companies were very liquid last year and government also had a lot of savings
that can be used for more projects. This means more financing options for
implementors of good projects.
"However, the ball is still in the government's court. Maybe three to four
successful biddings would be a positive sign considering that last year, only
one project was bid out, which was Daang Hari (the Daang Hari-South Luzon
Expressway Link road project won by an Ayala-led group), although there may
still be changes to that project.
"Of course we would want more than three to four (projects), if possible,"
Del Castillo said.
Definitely, if nothing happens by the first half, the market will be asking,
"what's really wrong?" Del Castillo said. "If it comes to that, heads should
roll. I hope the PPP program will not become 'Puro Power Point' or 'Puro Pun in
the Philippines,'" Del Castillo said.
The Aquino government would definitely want the ball rolling, instead.
NEDA estimates that the Philippine Investment Plan 2011-2016, where the PPP
program is a critical component, would create 1.9 million jobs and boost
economic activity by 5.5 percent of gross domestic product on average every
year—if fully implemented.
That means the government's targets of curbing poverty by creating 1 million
new jobs a year and generating high-level growth averaging 7 to 8 percent per
year would be largely taken care of.
Economists say it all hangs on 2012 whether the PPP program will gain
momentum. That is, the government must have at least "some" clear successes in
order to sustain investor interest and public support in the program.
Project list
Aside from the vaccine program, the P25-billion Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System New Water Supply is also slated for rollout. If it is bid out
this year, it may be the largest project to be launched.
The P20.18-billion NLEx-SLEx Connector Road; P20-billion Balara Water Hub;
P19.69-billion Cala Expressway (Cavite & Laguna Side); P11.3-billion LRT 2
East Extension; P10.4-billion PPP for School Infrastructure Project (Batch 1);
P10.15-billion Mactan Terminal 2 Airport Development; and P8-billion New Bohol
Airport could be on the auction block this year.
The P7.8-billion Laguindingan Airport Operations & Maintenance;
P5.3-billion Cold Chain Systems Project; P5-billion Modernization of the
Philippine Orthopedic Center; P4.2-billion Puerto Princesa Airport; P1.8-billion
Common Fare Collection System; P1.5-billion Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer of the
Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant Turbines 4 & 5; and P1.25-billion Grains
Central Project round up the "8 to 16 projects" lined up this year.
The PPP Center, an attached agency of NEDA, leads government's PPP program,
which is the cornerstone of the government's Philippine Development Plan
2011-2016. The Philippine Investment Plan concretizes that plan into actual
projects.
Private economists say it is crucial for government to pump up public
spending, both within and beyond the PPP program, to spur the economy and create
jobs.
Even the government has acknowledged that low infrastructure spending and the
slow start to the PPP program contributed to the lower-than-expected growth of
the Philippine economy in 2011.
In the first nine months of 2011, gross domestic product or GDP growth
averaged only 3.6 percent—way below even the government's reduced 2011 growth
target of 4.5 to 5.5 percent.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved

PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SP: PACQUIAO: FLOYD SHOULD MAKE UP HIS MIND / ROACH: FLOYD SCARED TO LOSE

PACQUIAO: FLOYD SHOULD MAKE UP HIS MIND / ROACH: FLOYD SCARED
TO LOSE

MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (ABS-CBN) ABS-CBNnews.com -
Manny Pacquiao said Floyd Mayweather Jr. would have to make up his mind soon if
he really wants their superfight to push through.
The 8-division champion from the Philippines claimed that Mayweather is
taking too long to decide on whether he will agree to an equal sharing of
revenues.
"Kaya hindi matuloy tuloy kasi minsan agree na siya sa 50-50 tapos ayaw na
naman niya, iba na naman kundisyon niya (The fight couldn't push through because
at one time he agreed on a 50-50 split only to change his mind)," said Pacquiao
in an interview with ABS-CBN correspondent Jay Dayupay.
Mayweather recently urged Pacquiao to take the superfight in exchange for a
$40-million guaranteed prize.
The Filipino, however, made a counteroffer by suggesting a 50-50 purse split.

'No fight in May' Boxing promoter Bob Arum, for his part, said he has
practically given up on arranging a May fight for Pacquiao and Mayweather.
"Let's forget the May date," he said in Ronnie Nathanielsz's report on Boxing
Scene.
"What we are trying to accomplish, assuming Mayweather is going to fight in
May and Manny is going to fight in June, is that we are pressing to see if we
can get a contract signed between the two fighters for November," Arum added.

Arum said if both Pacquiao and Mayweather agree to hold the megafight on
November, "that way the people will be assured that the fight is going to
happen."
"There won't be any of this nonsense, which we can put behind us so we can do
a huge, huge promotion," he added.
Roach: Mayweather is scared to lose
ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 01/25/2012 4:56 PM | Updated as of
01/25/2012 11:21 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach
said Floyd Mayweather Jr. is avoiding Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao out of
fear of losing his undefeated record.
"He doesn't want to fight us," Roach said of Mayweather in a Boxing Scene
interview. "He's been running for two years now. What's new?"
Negotiations for a Pacquiao-Mayweather mega-fight collapsed anew when the
undefeated American boxer refused to accept a 50-50 split.
Although Pacquiao's manager, Michael Koncz, said he has not closed the door
on a potential Mayweather fight, Roach doubts that the mega-fight will happen
this year.
"No way. He's scared. He doesn't want to take a chance," Roach said. "He
wants that zero so bad on his record, so he can say he's better than Sugar Ray
Robinson and all these great fighters because he's never lost."
Roach said Mayweather was mistaken in his thinking.
"Losing makes you a better fighter. He's not better than those fighters and
he never will be," he said.
The trainer added that Pacquiao has other options if Mayweather still refuses
a 50-50 split.
"We've got Lamont Peterson, Timothy Bradley, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel
Marquez all on the table right now, and Bob Arum is going to make a deal with
one of those four," Roach said.
Texters cap comeback to win back to back By Nelson
Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated January 30, 2012
Romel Adducul and Sean Anthony of Powerade close in on Ali Peek of Talk N Text as he tries to gain ball
possession in last night's Game 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. JUN MENDOZA
MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text ended Powerade's Cinderalla ride and
completed its own incredible comeback tale as the Tropang Texters repulsed the
Tigers, 110-101, for the PBA Philippine Cup championship at the Smart Araneta
Coliseum last night.
Their six-game romp stopped Friday, the Tropang Texters returned with a
gritty resolve, opening a commanding double-digit spread right in the first
quarter and hardly relaxing to eventually finish off the Tigers.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: IT'S OFFICIAL: PALAWAN UNDERGROUND RIVER ONE OF THE 7 WORLD WONDERS

IT'S OFFICIAL: PALAWAN UNDERGROUND
RIVER ONE OF THE 7 WORLD WONDERS

MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (STAR) By Perseus Echeminada (PHOTO -
The Puerto Princesa Underground River, in this photo taken from www.gov.ph, was
officially declared one of the New7Wonders of Nature yesterday.)
MANILA, Philippines - The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is now
officially part of the New7Wonders of Nature.
"I am proud to confirm that PPUR is now one of the New7Wonders of Nature;
preparations for the proclamation are underway," Puerto Princesa City Mayor
Edward Hagedorn announced yesterday at a press briefing at Heritage Hotel in
Pasay City.
Hagedorn said he received the good news from New7Wonders founder Bernard
Weber, who also informed him that PPUR got a total of 20 million votes based on
a global tally.
PPUR joins the list of New7Wonders of Nature, which include the Amazon River
in South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls in South America, Jeju
Island in South Korea, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in
Cape Town, South Africa.
PPUR is the longest navigable underground river in the world and is managed
by the city government of Puerto Princesa.
It is also the first national park to be cited for its best practices in
biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism.
[PHOTO - Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn receives a
plaque officially naming the Underground River as one of the New7 Wonders of
Nature from Bernard Weber, founder-president of New7Wonders, during a press
conference at Heritage Hotel in Pasay City yesterday. JONJON
VICENCIO]
Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement
Malacañang welcomes the confirmation of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as
one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
"Throughout the competition, Filipinos from all walks of life have given
time, energy and resources to this campaign," Lacierda said in a statement.
Lacierda added, "This effort has raised awareness not only overseas but
nationally as well. Visits to the PPUR have increased tremendously. This is
proof of how effective a national effort can be, to build awareness, express
pride and achieve results."
With the inclusion of PPUR on the New7Wonders list, Hagedorn expects an
increase in tourists, more job opportunities for the locals, and additional
revenue for the province.
"We are expecting that the P2-billion revenue will be double this year,"
Hagedorn said. - With Aurea Calica

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-SB: GRACE LEE ON NOY: YES, WE DATED

GRACE LEE ON NOY: YES, WE
DATED

MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (STAR) By Delon Porcalla - Korean TV
personality Grace Lee has revealed that she is dating President Aquino.
"Just asked Grace Lee if it's true that she had dinner with President Aquino.
She said she did," disc jockey Mo Twister tweeted, when talks about Lee and
Aquino's reported date went the rounds in the social networking site.
Lee, a show biz anchor of GMA-7 and a DJ of Magic 89.9, had reportedly been
telling her colleagues that Aquino, a 51-year-old bachelor, is her textmate, and
that the President tries to visit her if he has time.
The 28-year-old Korean, who speaks Tagalog and Cebuano fluently, did an
exclusive interview with Aquino at Malacañang last Dec. 23 for her radio
program.
A certain "pinoyradiofan" started out with a tweet that Aquino's number one
priority at this point is not the government's anti-piracy campaign, rather his
love life, following reports his political adviser was caught buying pirated
DVDs in a Quezon City mall.
This was followed by a reaction from Monica Alejo, who asked whether the
report was "serious," to which Lysa Olano (dbrat_lysa) revealed that Mo Twister
had been "making fun of Grace Lee for having dinner with P-Noy."
Kimboy Uy then tweeted, "Wouldn't it be fun when Grace Lee reports in Chika
Minute how she dated the President?"
To which Twister answered, it would be "Fun fun."
Aquino had referred to Lee as gwapa or beautiful and good-looking when he
inaugurated the KEPCO-SPC power plant in Cebu in mid-2011, where the event was
hosted by Lee.
"It won't be hard to invite us to Cebu. I even mistook the Korean Grace Lee
for a Filipina. Even the Koreans who visit our country are beautiful. Maybe we
should revive the Malacañang sa Sugbu because we might meet our fate here," he
said in Filipino on that occasion.
Lee, then wearing a Korean costume, caught the eye of the President who was
with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
KEPCO is a Korean company that specializes in providing electric utility.

It was reported last week that Aquino went on a dinner date after receiving
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Malacañang. However, the sources
refused to divulge the name of the President's date.
They were seen having dinner and coffee afterwards. Aquino also escorted the
girl to her home after they went out, sources said.
The President and his "date" supposedly met in a public engagement recently.

Aquino last dated teacher Mary Louise Calica publicly after stockbroker Maria
Elena Lopez and stylist Liz Uy. He was said to have also shown "interest" in
actress Iza Calzado when they met and had a chance to talk at the birthday party
of actor-singer Ogie Alcasid, but did not pursue it. Calzado clarified they only
conversed and did not go out on a date.
Aquino's love life was in the news again after his sister, actress and
television host Kris, tweeted that the Thai leader would be a good match for her
bachelor-brother.
In December, the President said settling down was not in his list of
priorities.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

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PHNO-SB: GOLDEN BOY PLUS: WILLIE REVILLAME

GOLDEN BOY PLUS: WILLIE
REVILLAME
MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo -
(PHOTO - The Birthday Boy smiles from the top of the birthday cake
decorated with 51 Willie Revillame cutouts. PHOTOS by JULIUS
SEVILLA)
When you have a multiplex mall, twin vacation houses at an A-list subdivision
in Tagaytay City, a mansion overlooking Taal Lake, another P160-M mansion in
Ayala Heights (Quezon City), a private plane (with a bigger one coming soon), a
yacht and an events place, what more can you wish for when you turn 51?
"What more?" asked Wil Time Bigtime host Willie Revillame who turned Golden
Boy Plus last Friday, Jan. 27.
The "surprise" birthday bash, arranged by a group led by Willie's trusted man
Jay Montelibano, was held at Steaktown Events Place on Scout Esguerra, Quezon
City.
The dinner was catered by Florabel Co-Yatco and the program was hosted by Ate
Gay and Joy Viado (who turned the affair into an enchanted evening with her cool
rendition of old love songs).
The party started at way past 10 p.m. when Willie arrived from the airing of
Wil Time at TV5 in Novaliches, Quezon City, waving here and there as everybody
welcomed him with a rousing singing of Happy Birthday.
It was Willie's first social function after the wedding of his Wil Time
co-host Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad on Jan. 22 where he was sorely
missed.
Asked why he wasn't there, Willie said, "The spotlight should be on Shalani
and Roman. It was their moment."

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
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PHNO-SB: JINKEE'S SWEET REVENGE

JINKEE'S SWEET
REVENGE

MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (STAR) CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo - They
say that looking good is the best revenge.
Look at Jinkee Pacquiao.
Tired of the endless gossip linking her husband Manny Pacquiao to this woman
and that woman, she decided to change her look by cutting her hair and
eventually looking at life with a positive point of view — with the help of The
Bible.
"When a woman cuts her hair," she agreed, "it means na may malaking pagbabago
sa buhay niya."
But it didn't stop people from talking about her. When Jinkee's picture was
(apparently) photoshopped for the cover of Mega magazine, making her look "very
different," tongues wagged. It didn't bother her.
"Maganda naman, di ba?"
Even Manny liked it, no matter if he was surprised by the minor controversy
that it generated.
During a pictorial for The Belo Medical Clinic of which she's an endorser,
Jinkee talked about her new look, how prayer helped make Manny change and how
peace now reigns in their family that was almost wrecked by tsismis.
For the exclusive STAR pictorial, Jinkee wore a red dress, perhaps in keeping
with the Chinese New Year (of the Water Dragon). Later in the afternoon, she
changed into a yellow dress that showed some flesh, just a bit of it. When Manny
dropped by, he frowned a bit and said, "Masyado naman yatang sexy 'yan!" But he
liked it just the same.
In the following candid Conversation, her first after her recent 33rd
birthday, Jinkee fielded all questions with an easy smile, proving beyond any
reasonable doubt that, indeed, she's at peace with herself and with the world
around her.
What animal are you?
"Sheep." (Actually, born in 1979 she's a Goat. — RFL)
'I have finally found peace for myself and for my family. Manny and I
have been Bible readers since late last year when he was training for his fight
(with Juan Manuel Marquez).' PHOTOS by VER PAULINO

What about Manny?
"He's a Horse (1978)."
Are the Goat and the Horse compatible?
"Sa palagay ko."
You're glowing…blooming na blooming. Is it because you have inner peace?

"Answered prayer."
What were you praying for?
"For me to have peace of mind, peace in our family…na ang mga anak ko ay
laging masaya at maganda ang pangangatawan. But No. 1 talaga is for my peace of
mind."
Kay Manny, anong pini-pray mo?
"His work, 'yung mga laban niya na sana hindi siya tamaan sa ulo, kawawa
naman. When I see him in the ring, I pray that the fight will be short and fast,
na sana sandali lang so he won't get hurt too much."
During our previous interview, you said that three weeks before a fight,
you and Manny refrained from having sex. What else do you and Manny observe
before a fight…no fight at home?
"I shouldn't give him any problem that will bother his mind, so what I do is
tell him positive stories…puro lang masasayang kuwento."
No tsismis?
"Hmmmm, sometimes kasama 'yon, that cannot be avoided. Pero alam na niya kung
paano iha-handle 'yon."
Of course, you also owe your look to The Belo Medical Clinic. What
treatment are you undergoing?
"A lot. I go to the Belo Clinic once a week for facial and other treatments."

Including Smart Lipo?
"Once lang 'yon…after I gave birth to Princess. Sa upper and lower abdomen."

Do you work out?
"Not much; diet lang."
Some people are saying that you look "different," suspecting that you have
undergone cosmetic surgery (facial enhancement).
(Laughs) "Nothing in my face; only parts of my body were touched."
Your picture on the cover of a recent issue of Mega magazine was
controversial. Hindi mo raw kamukha, masyado raw retokada (photoshopped).

"Nag-OK ako sa pictorial. I trusted the people at Mega magazine. I was happy
with the result. I really appreciated their effort in making me look good."
(According to A-list make-up artist Kris Basuelo, it must be the make-up that
made Jinkee's face look thinner. — RFL) "I think it was my hair. I cut it short.
For the longest time my hair was long. I guess baka nanibago lang ang mga tao at
nasabi nilang parang hindi na ako 'yon."
Did Manny like it?
"Yes. Nagandahan naman siya, happy naman siya. Nagulat lang siya kung bakit
may intriga."
New year, new life. Is it true that Manny has also changed his ways?

"Yes, he has really changed. No more party-party; noon, halos gabi-gabi
nagpa-party siya. No more drinking."
Milk na lang?
"No more hard drinks. Bawal malasing. Maski wine, ayaw na niya."
Good news.
"At wala na ring casino-casino."
Was gambling only a hobby for Manny?
"Hmmmm…..I think it's like that in the beginning when you're earning big
money, kapag sikat ka na at malaki ang kinikita mo. You don't know what to do
with your money."
Saan madalas manalo si Manny, sa casino o sa boxing?
"Of course, sa boxing!"
Nasanay ka na rin ba sa mga tsismis tungkol kay Manny and other women?

"I don't mind them anymore. I told him, 'Hindi naman dapat maging okey lang
ako lagi, na hanggang sa pagtanda ko ganoon ang ginagawa mo, hindi puwede sa
akin 'yon.' I don't want that to happen to our children. When the time comes
that they get married, siguro mapi-feel nila kung ano ang sa kanila ng tatay
nila, and I don't think they will like it. So I told Manny, 'Stop na!'"
What if, just IF, he wouldn't stop?
"Eh, di mag-isa na lang siya sa buhay niya."
Do you allow Manny to still look at other women?
"Puwede naman, as long as he should know what The Bible says…na kung paano
magkasala ang isang may-asawang tao, at kung ano ang mga hindi dapat gawin."

Oo nga pala, Bible readers na pala kayo…since when?
"When we were in the States practicing for his fight (with Juan Manuel
Marquez in December last year)."
[PHOTO - Peace in the family. Says Jinkee, 'Even
the children notice the change in Manny. He now stays at home and spends more
time with the children.'
Is it true that the Team Pacquiao has been trimmed down, nabawasan ng
maraming miyembro?
"Medyo dumi-distansya na sila. Before, they were always with me, nag-iinuman.
Parang bad influence kay Manny."
Is it true that you were the one who made them stay away?
"Hindi na sila nagpapakita. I think nahihiya na sila siguro because Manny is
a changed man now. Homebody na siya. Palaging taong-bahay."
What does he do at home?
"He reads The Bible."
Doesn't he get bored?
"I don't think so. Sana hindi, kasi desisyon niya 'yon, eh, para sa
katahimikan namin at ng aming pamilya."
Good for this year, next year and the next few years?
"Forever!"
According to a US sports magazine, you were instrumental in the big change
in Manny.
"Well, it has to start with me kasi ako ang palagi niyang kasama. He has to
be a role model to other families na kailangan hindi mag-hiwalay ang mag-asawa."

Have you reached a point when you almost separated?
"Hmmmm, yes, we did. That was the time when I wanted to give up na. But I
kept on praying…asking The Lord to show me a way to make Manny change. My prayer
was answered."
Do your children notice the change in their father?
"Yes, kasi Manny has more time with the children. He's always at home,
playing with the kids."
By the way, belated happy birthday. Manny gave you an island (worth P25M
daw) as a gift. Was it a peace offering?
"Hindi naman. The TV news was exaggerated. That island is part of Sarangani.
We stayed there n'ung New Year. We're renting it from the government, P100,000 a
year. We can rent it for 25 years, it depends."
[PHOTO - With Cristalle Henares of The Belo
Medical Clinic]
If ever you decide to buy it, what would you do with it?
"We can turn it into a resort."
It's almost sure that Manny will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. middle of this
year. What support are you giving Manny?
"The usual…Give him no problem, pray for him…"
…and no sex three weeks before the fight.
(Laughs) "…yes, kasama na rin 'yon."
Are you planning to go on vacation before the fight?
"Maybe in July…for two months, with the kids."
Anything you want to tell women having "intentions" for Manny?
"God bless you! Kung may balak kayo, I will pray for you! God will punish
you!"

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

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NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-P-NOY: P-NOY ASKED TO EXPLAIN HIS SUDDEN RISE IN NETWORTH / LLAMAS APOLOGIZED

P-NOY ASKED TO EXPLAIN HIS SUDDEN RISE IN NETWORTH
/ LLAMAS APOLOGIZED

MANILA, JANUARY
31,
2012 (INQUIRER) By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. -
The opposition in the House of Representatives said
on Sunday that President Aquino should also be impeached if he failed to explain
the sudden rise of his networth.
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the President should explain to the
public the jump in his personal wealth based on his statement of assets,
liabilities and networth (SALN)—up 256 percent from P15,440,268 in 2009 to
P54,999,370 in 2010—or he would be impeached on the same ground as Article 2 of
the impeachment complaint against Corona.
House prosecutors have claimed that Chief Justice Renato Corona's income
would not justify the jump in his networth from P8 million 2002 to P22 million
in 2010.
"The minority will meet tomorrow to decide what action to take. In the
meantime, the results of the impeachment case against Corona, specifically those
involving his SALN, will be very interesting because it will have a bearing on
how the President's SALN will be judged," Suarez said in an interview with the
Philippine Daily Inquirer.
He said Aquino's failure to explain the surge in his wealth could be
sufficient ground for an impeachment complaint against the President.
But with the House dominated by the President's allies, Suarez said
impeaching him would be difficult "even if we had damning proof of it."
He said the House prosecution team apparently had not taken into
consideration the impact of its "hurried and ill-conceived" impeachment
complaint against Corona, specifically the inclusion of the SALN and belated
addition of ill-gotten wealth charges, on the President and his allies in
Congress.
Suarez said Corona would have an easier time explaining the sudden jump in
his SALN because it involved a smaller amount and covered close to a decade than
the President whose wealth surged in one year.
Just like in the case of Corona, Suarez said the President should reveal how
much taxes he paid, including those of his siblings, based on the assumption
that the money came from his share of the Hacienda Luisita.
Contrary to the "brash and sweeping" claim of the prosecution that Corona
could be pinned down solely on his SALN, Suarez said the Chief Justice should be
able to explain the discrepancy between the values of his properties in his SALN
and tax declarations because there was no "hard and fast rule" on how much
should an asset be booked in a public official's SALN.
Llamas has 'apologized' to Aquino for pirated discs, but
probe still on By Christine O. Avendaño Philippine Daily Inquirer
8:57 pm | Sunday, January 29th, 2012
MANILA, Philippines—Would an apology to no less than the President
save his job?
Presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas (photo) may know the
answer on Monday.
Llamas said on Sunday he had apologized to President Aquino over last week's
incident in which he was photographed by the Inquirer's Bandera editor buying
pirated DVDs in a Quezon City mall.
Five days after the Inquirer ran the story and a picture of him in the mall,
Llamas finally broke his silence on the issue. He said he saw the President last
Friday to explain his side.
"He told me I had to undergo internal processes and investigation," Llamas
said in a phone interview. Asked whether he apologized to the Chief Executive
for the incident, Llamas said he did.
Llamas gave no other details on what he talked about with Aquino, saying he
did not want to preempt the investigation results the Palace would be releasing
by Monday, at the earliest.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. is expected to release a memorandum on
the case.
"I do not want to preempt them," Lllamas said.
Asked whether he was prepared for whatever decision the Palace would have,
Llamas simply said, "Yup."
Llamas has found himself on the hot seat after the controversial photograph
and newspaper article by Dona Policar, associate editor of Bandera, appeared in
the Inquirer and in its sister publication.
Policar saw Llamas buying what turned out to be P2,000 worth of pirated DVDs
in a stall at Circle C mall on Congressional Avenue in Quezon City.
Llamas was accompanied by his two bodyguards when he bought the DVDs, in
violation of the Anti-Piracy Law and in the face of a government drive against
film pirates so the Philippines would be stricken off the international "piracy
watchlist."
When the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran the story last Wednesday, Aquino said
he would ask Llamas to explain but added that the controversy was not a top
priority given the "many problems" the country was facing, including a bomb
explosion in Makati City and the killing of 15 fishermen off Basilan Island by
unidentified gunmen.
The Palace gave no other details on the investigation into the DVD incident.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the probe was going on but
could not say who or which office was conducting it.
Valte said Malacañang would come out with a "notice" on the case "next week."

In an earlier statement, the Optical Media Board (OM)B said buyers of pirated
DVDs were "not criminally liable" under the Optical Media Act of 1993.
"The purchase of DVDs (that are not original and) not used for commercial
activities does not entail liability based on the law on Optical Media. Those in
the possession of the same, but who do not sell them, are not penalized," said
lawyer Coco Padilla, chief of the OMB legal division.
"That is what is stated in the law. We can only act based on the authority
granted us by law," Padilla said.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved

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HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: LAPID'S WIFE INVITED BY U.S. PROBER TO FACE SMUGGLING RAP

LAPID'S WIFE INVITED BY U.S. PROBER
TO FACE SMUGGLING RAP

[PHOTO
- SENATOR LITO LAPID AND WIFE MARISSA]
MANILA, JANUARY 31, 2012 (INQUIRER) By Nimfa U. Rueda, Tonette
Orejas Inquirer Central Luzon - The wife of Sen. Lito Lapid returned to Las
Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 15 at the invitation of the Department of Homeland
Security in connection with the offense she committed in November 2011 of not
declaring the $50,000, she carried to the United States, her American lawyer
said on Saturday.
"[Marissa Tadeo Lapid] came at the invitation of the Homeland Security. She
was invited to deal with the issue," lawyer Eliot Krieger said in a telephone
interview Saturday.
Krieger told reporters that Marissa has denied smuggling money into the US
and that his firm would "vigorously" defend its client against the smuggling
charges.
"She will have her day in court," said Krieger, a former assistant US
attorney and graduate of Harvard Law School, who works with the Southern
California-based firm Jarvis, Krieger & Sullivan. Krieger, who also has a
PhD from Johns Hopkins University and handles family law and criminal matters,
is on the superlawyers.com list of top attorneys in Southern California.
Krieger's statement clarified reports that Marissa was unaware that she had
committed a federal violation and faced impending arrest for the offense she
committed in November. She was briefly held when she was caught carrying $50,000
last November but allowed to return to the Philippines for the Christmas
holidays without any charges being filed against her.
Marissa was arrested at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as she
arrived from the Philippines on Jan. 15 for the November offense. She is now
free on bail.
According to Krieger, Marissa's return to the US this month meant she had
complied with the invitation.
Krieger described Marissa as doing well and staying home.
He said she had been ordered by the court to restrict her travels within
Clark County.
He confirmed that Marissa wore an ankle-monitoring bracelet equipped with a
GPS (global positioning system) to monitor her location.
In an interview with reporters in Los Angeles on Saturday, Krieger said the
US government has placed a lien on the Las Vegas property of Marissa to cover
her $500,000 bail.
The real estate website Blockshopper listed two Las Vegas properties under
the names of Marissa and her son, Maynard, 27, a US citizen. The properties are
in 7304 Bugler Swan Wy and on 2055 Buffalo Drive.
Facing smuggling charges
Marissa faces smuggling charges for failing to declare the $50,000 when she
entered the US last November.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said dollar smuggling is
punishable by a fine of $500,000 and a maximum 10-year imprisonment.
US federal laws require arriving passengers to declare any currency or
monetary instrument totaling $10,000 or more. Violators are fined $250,000 and
the money recovered from them are confiscated by the US government.
According to Krieger, Marissa returned to the US "on the invitation of the
Department of Homeland Security to deal with this issue."
He said Marissa was not aware that criminal charges had been filed against
her and that "she willingly came back to the US in response to the invitation."

A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb. 7, Krieger said.
A published report in the US quoted Marissa as saying that she was going to
use the money to buy a house.
But the senator said his wife meant to use the money for her medical
expenses, explaining that she had gone to the US to seek treatment for a bone
ailment.
He said the cash belonged to his wife, who he said had the means because she
owns and runs several businesses in Porac, their Pampanga hometown.
Lapid says wife Marissa is rich By
Inquirer Central Luzon, Tonette Orejas Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:07 am |
Friday, January 27th, 2012
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid on Thursday said
that his wife, Marissa, who has been arrested in the United States for violating
American travel restrictions, had the means to carry $50,000 for her travels
abroad.
So, why didn't she declare it?
Foreign travelers are only allowed to bring $10,000 into the United States.

Marissa has been freed on bail in Las Vegas.
Lapid said his wife was carrying her own money, rejecting rumors she was
smuggling his money into a foreign country.
"She has many businesses," Lapid said when the Philippine Daily Inquirer
asked how Marissa obtained such a big amount of cash.
Lapid did not give details about his wife's businesses, saying it was up to
her to disclose information about her private affairs.
"She earns her own money. She's a business-minded woman," Lapid said.
Lawyer hired
Queried on the case, Raul Hernandez, spokesperson for the Department of
Foreign Affairs, said: "We are in the process of getting information from
authorities and persons concerned about the case in order to see what possible
assistance we could extend to Mrs. Lapid."
In a statement released in Manila last night, Lapid said his wife had already
hired a lawyer to represent her in a US court.
"This is an unfortunate event but my wife is ready to answer all issues about
this incident. She already has a lawyer to help her with the case," Lapid said
in Filipino.
"We are still waiting for the details of the case from her lawyer and we
would rather hear information about the case first before issuing further
reactions," he added.
Trading sand
In the Lapids' hometown of Porac, Marissa is known to own and operate Marissa
Hall, a multipurpose building that she rents out to the public.
Residents interviewed by the Inquirer said that Marissa and her family, who
belong to the Tadeo clan, were also engaged in hauling and trading sand in the
town.
The Lapid family is also reputed to own tracts of land in Porac. With reports
from Cathy C. Yamsuan and Tina Santos in Manila
Senator Lapid: $50,000 for my wife's illness like
Gloria Arroyo's By Tonette Orejas Inquirer Central Luzon
Just like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF PEP, PHILIPPINE ENTERTAINMENT PORTAL -
Marissa Lapid, wife of Senator Lito Lapid, was arrested at the Las Vegas
International Airport last January 15, following dollar-smuggling charges filed
against her last November 2011. Last year, Marissa was caught carrying into the
U.S. a bag and socks filled with a total of $50,000 in cash, when she had
declared that she only had $10,000 with her. Paul
Fabregas]
The $50,000 that Sen. Lito Lapid's wife tried to bring into the United States
last year was meant for medical treatment to cure her bone ailment, according to
the senator himself.
Lapid on Friday disclosed the purported state of her health in an effort to
contradict reports quoting her as saying that the $50,000 was intended to buy a
house.
Lapid said his wife Marissa was afflicted with the same ailment that had
debilitated former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but
that he did not know what it was called. Arroyo's degenerative bone disorder
required three surgeries in the neck and spine.
"[Marissa] had an operation for pain in her neck and spine. Her sickness is
the same as that of GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). Last year in Baguio City, she
had a mild stroke. She was really seeking medical help," Lapid said, speaking in
Kapampangan.
The senator spoke with the Inquirer by phone as questions again swirled in
connection with his and his wife's wealth. He brushed these aside, saying that
his wife made her own money.
Marissa Lapid, 54, made 20 trips to the United States from 1993 to 2005.
Staying put
"We're not buying a house. That amount would not be enough. We did want to
buy one, but we want our children to pay their shares too," he said.
Lapid, a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato
Corona, said he was not taking a leave to be by his wife's side.
"First, there's a job to do, and then my US visa has expired," he said.
US authorities arrested Marissa when she arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, on
Jan. 15.
According to the account supplied by the Lapid camp, she entered the United
States in November 2011 carrying $50,000, in violation of US travel regulations.
She was held but was released on bail, and managed to leave the country before a
US court could detain her to stand trial for the offense.
US laws allow foreigners to carry up to $10,000 in cash. Foreigners must
declare the money they are carrying beyond that amount, which Marissa failed to
do.
Based on Friday's currency exchange rates, Marissa had P2.1 million with her
when she was arrested.
'Just nervous'
Lapid said his wife was not aware that the case against her had prospered
until she flew back to Las Vegas on Jan. 15.
"I'm sad. She had no intention to lie to authorities. She was just nervous,"
he said.
Lapid said reports that he and his wife often traveled to Las Vegas to
socialize or gamble were "untrue."
"We stay with a friend, Edgar Balagtas, or with my mother [whenever we go to
the United States]," he said.
Lapid said he had not been able to speak with Marissa by phone for days now
because her American lawyer, Eliot Krieger, had told her not to take calls.
He said that they did talk on Jan. 15 and that she had mumbled, "Sorry Jo."
(Jo is their term of endearment.)
The senator also said he had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to
extend assistance to his wife the way it did to Filipinos in distress overseas.

Various businesses
He said their youngest son, Maynard, 27 and an American citizen, had been
assisting his mother. (They have four children, including Mark Lapid, who served
as governor of Pampanga and now heads the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
Zone Authority of the Department of Tourism.)
According to employees, Marissa Lapid owns and runs MTL Enterprises, which
includes Walmart Construction Supply, Maynards' Agri Farm Supply, Barstow
Minimart, Generics Pharmacy and Porac Ice Plant.
Except for the grocery, these businesses occupy a row of stalls in a
one-story building beside the district hospital in Barangay Babo Sacan in Porac.

When the Inquirer asked an employee who owned a Seaoil fuel station in
Barangay Sta. Cruz, he said: "It's by Sen," apparently referring to the senator.

Some 20 meters from the municipal hall is Marissa Hall, which the senator's
wife rents out for private or public functions.
The Porac Foundation Inc. (PFI) has sued Marissa for buying the
5,435-square-meter property from a couple who allegedly produced two fake titles
for it. Fr. Resty Lumanlan, PFI chair and founder, said the property was part of
donations to the foundation.
Another source said Marissa recently bought two lots in Porac from the David
and Cuyugan families worth P20 million.
The Porac treasurer declined the request for information on business permits
issued in the name of Marissa Lapid or her relatives.
Research conducted by the Inquirer in 2005 showed that of the family's 17
vehicles that year, 14 were in Marissa's name.
Undeclared properties
Lapid declared a net worth of P10.1 million in 2004, his first year in the
Senate. Seven properties titled to him were estimated at P256 million, excluding
a house in San Diego, California.
Many of the family's properties in the Philippines were allegedly not
declared in Lapid's statements of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN) in
1995-2004, when he was Pampanga governor.
What were allegedly not declared in the 2003 SALN when his net worth was
P10.1 million were a hilltop mansion in Porac and the three-story Mar-Man
Building on Scout Borromeo Street in Quezon City.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents show that Lapid is a
co-owner of Classic Films International and Mar-Man Farms Corp. None of these
reported big profits.
The film company reported losing P5.49 million in 1996. Mar-Man, registered
in 1993, has not filed financial statements in the SEC. The Lito Lapid College
Foundation, set up in 1992, reported a net loss of P1.2 million in 1998.
Marissa Lapid's Thousand Islands International, registered in 1997, had a
paid-up capital of only P137,000, and GM Concrete Products Manufacturing and
Trading Co., co-owned by Lapid, P1.8 million.
Not born wealthy
In his campaign for a seat in the Senate in 2004, Lapid reported spending
P64.9 million from contributions.
Neither husband nor wife was born wealthy, according to Inquirer sources.
Neither went to college after graduating from high school.
They married when he was still a movie stuntman. She is known in Porac as
having stuck with him despite his affairs with some of his leading ladies in
action movies.
Former Gov. Eddie Panlilio has sued Lapid, his son Mark and three other
Pampanga officials for plunder, accusing them of enriching themselves using the
province's quarry funds.
The Lapids were cleared of the complaint.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: IGGY ARROYO SET TO LEAVE POLITICS; LEGAL WIFE TO CLAIM IGGY'S BODY

IGGY ARROYO SET TO LEAVE POLITICS;
LEGAL WIFE TO CLAIM IGGY'S BODY

MANILA,
JANUARY 31, 2012 (ABS-CBN) By
Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau -
MANILA, Philippines -- Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. was
set to leave politics after his medical treatment in London, according to his
pastor.
Jesus the Voice of Hope Global Ministries pastor Edwin Bulaon said Arroyo has
been active in spiritual renewal and divine transformation activities with the
group before he succumbed to death last Thursday.

He said Arroyo promised a lot of things ever since he had a "spiritual
healing." Arroyo had believed his health condition would improve sans a liver
transplant.

One such plan was to leave the world of politics upon returning to the
Philippines, Bulaon said.

On Wednesday night in London, however, Arroyo suffered a cardiac arrest. "At
that point, an ambulance was called for him in London. He was revived at the
hospital but he went into a coma. This morning, his heart stopped beating," his
brother, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, said in a statement on Thursday.

Later that day, life support systems were removed from his body.

The lawmaker's daughter, Bianca, said Arroyo has indeed gone through a
spiritual transformation. At some point, her father had even asked her to
accompany him to a prayer meeting. The prayer meeting lasted five hours.

Arroyo's body will remain in London for a few more days. His legal wife,
Aleli, is set to fly to London to claim the body.
Daughter sent to retrieve Iggy's remains By RG
Cruz, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/27/2012 4:41 PM | Updated as of 01/27/2012 10:37
PM
MANILA, Philippines – The Arroyo family has sent the eldest daughter of
Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. to London to oversee the
repatriation of the congressman's remains.
The Negros lawmaker's chief of staff Bong Ruado told ABS-CBN News that
Arroyo's daughter Bianca is expected to arrive in London from Las Vegas.
Ruado said Arroyo's other daughter Dina cannot fly yet as she just gave birth
earlier this week here in Manila.
Other relatives from the Tuason side are also expected to fly in to London to
help.
There is no time table yet for the repatriation as the family still has to
deal with documentation requirements in London.
Arroyo's eldest brother, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, cannot fly to
London as he is covered by a hold departure order issued by the Sandiganbayan.

Representatives Sonny Angara and Lorenzo Tanada III, meanwhile, expressed
their condolences to the Arroyos for their loss.
Arroyo died Thursday after life-support systems were removed from his body.
He was earlier declared "clinically dead" and was only relying on life support
systems after he suffered a cardiac arrest Wednesday night.
Grace Ibuna may face raps over Iggy Arroyo's death
reports from Jay Ruiz, RG Cruz, Danny Buenafe, ABS-CBN News Posted at
01/27/2012 8:39 PM | Updated as of 01/28/2012 12:15 PM
Mike Arroyo denies telling Grace to pull the plug

[PHOTO - Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr.'s second wife, Alicia Arroyo, and
common-law wife Grace Ibuna. Composite/File
Photo]
MANILA, Philippines - Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Tuason Arroyo
Jr.'s common-law wife, Grace Ibuna, may be sued by the late lawmaker's legal
wife for allegedly giving the go-signal to pull the plug on their
clinically-dead husband.
Alicia Arroyo's lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, said they are planning to file charges
against Ibuna for declaring that she is the legal wife of Iggy.
"To misrepresent that you are the spouse, when in fact you are not, to
misrepresent or to actually go ahead and pull the plug, these are all multiple
criminal offenses," Kapunan said.
Alicia said she would never have pulled the plug on Iggy.
Although their marriage was in the process of being annulled, she said it was
never approved. She added the late lawmaker stopped going to their family home
in La Vista, Quezon City in 2005.
"At the end of the day, he needs peace and healing. If we're all peaceful
here, maybe it's easier for him to have everlasting happiness. It's all I do, I
just pray. I lift everything up to the Lord," she said.
Clinically dead
Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel 'Mike' Arroyo told ABS-CBN News on
Thursday that his brother was clinically dead and was only relying on
life-support systems after he suffered a cardiac arrest in London, England on
Wednesday.
He later announced that his brother died after life-support systems were
removed from his body.
No one was with Iggy in London, except for Ibuna, whom he has lived with for
years, according to ABS-CBN London correspondent Gene Alcantara.
Ibuna has declined to comment publicly about the threat of a lawsuit, ABS-CBN
Europe News Bureau chief Danny Buenafe said on TV Patrol on Friday.
Buenafe said he was able to talk to Ibuna, who said off-camera that the
decision to pull the plug on Iggy Arroyo did not come from her.
Ibuna reportedly talked to Mike before doctors removed the life-support
system from Iggy.
PHOTO - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel 'Mike' Arroyo and
his brother Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Tuason Arroyo Jr. File Photo

Mike, meanwhile, said on Friday that he did not order that his brother be
removed from life support. "I did not order that," he said.
He said Ibuna asked him what to do. He reportedly told her, "I told her it's
up to you. You're the one there."
"I never said that [ordered to pull the plug]. Sinabi niya sa akin kanina. I
never told her to pull the plug," he said.
"She was asking me what to do. Better you discuss it with the daughter. She's
telling us the hospital, prinessure siya ng hospital."
Ibuna said Bianca, the late lawmaker's daughter with his first wife, Marilen
Jacinto, is expected to issue a statement regarding the issue after she arrives
in London from Las Vegas to retrieve her father's remains.
Ibuna is a former girlfriend of actor Gabby Concepcion. They have a daughter,
Gabrielle.
Liver ailment
The younger Arroyo went to London last year to seek treatment for a liver
ailment. He was listed as one of the lawmakers with the most number of absences
in the House of Representatives for 2011.
He earlier told ABS-CBN News last December that he had to stay longer in
London because of his ongoing treatment.
He had also urged President Benigno Aquino III to show compassion to his
sister-in-law, former President Gloria Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest at
the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for electoral sabotage.
'Jose Pidal'
The younger Arroyo figured in the news in 2003 after he claimed ownership of
the multi-million-peso "Jose Pidal" account, allegedly owned by his brother.

He again allegedly covered up for his brother after he claimed that he leased
5 helicopters from Lionair Inc. since 2004. Two of the second-hand choppers were
allegedly sold to the Philippine National Police for $700,000 in 2009.
Arroyo's claim ran contrary to claims made by Lionair President Archibald Po
that Mike Arroyo purchased and used the choppers before they were sold to the
PNP.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: CAMARINES NORTE: ILLEGAL MINING DROWNED 2 / DECAYING MARCOS MANSIONS

CAMARINES NORTE: ILLEGAL MINING
DROWNED 2 / DECAYING MARCOS MANSIONS

NAGA
CITY, JANUARY
31, 2012 (INQUIRER) By Jonas
Cabiles Soltes Inquirer Southern Luzon - Two small-scale miners drowned early on
Sunday after seawater rushed into a mining pit they dug close to the shore in
the coastal village of Palanas in Paracale, Camarines Norte, where they had been
mining for gold, the top police official in the northernmost province of Bicol
region said.
Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, Camarines Norte police chief,
identified the casualties as Christian Banal and Budo Villanueva (ages yet to be
determined by the police), who both drowned about 5 a.m.
Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado said in a phone interview Sunday
that the two victims were engaged in compressor mining, an illegal mining
method, in which miners would use air compressors for breathing underwater while
searching for gold ores in water-filled mining pits or among the coral reefs
under the sea.
In Paracale, 27 kilometers northwest of the capital town of Daet, compressor
miners usually operated through offshore floating makeshift mining houses.
The governor said they have been trying to stop this kind of mining activity
but some miners have been able to keep the operations going.
FROM THE PHILSTAR
Palace: No funds for Marcos mansions By Aurea
Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated January 29, 2012 12:00 AMComments (9)

[PHOTO - FORMER FIRST LADY IMELDA MARCOS]
MANILA, Philippines - The government has no money to maintain the decaying
mansions of the cronies of the Marcos family, Malacañang said yesterday.
"We don't have the money for all the things the government needs to do.
That's why we budget properly and we see to it that funds go to priority
programs like poverty alleviation, uplifting the quality of life of our fellow
citizens, healthcare and education," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail
Valte said over radio dzRB. "What is important is that the lot is still there."

[PHOTO - Imelda Marcos Mansion at Tacloban Leyte]
"If we are to base it on the statements of (Presidential Commission on Good
Government) Commissioner (Maita) Chan-Gonzaga, the value is substantial. In
fact, the value of the land has appreciated as opposed to the structure itself,"
Valte said.
Valte said she had not seen the documents pertaining to the properties.
Privatizing these assets would need the approval of President Aquino, she added.

[PHOTO - MARCOS MANSION IN CABUYAO, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES]
Gonzaga earlier said the PCGG has no money for the upkeep of the
deteriorating mansions, some of which have been looted, which are in prime
locations in Baguio City.
The sequestered properties of Marcos crony Jose Yao Campos and the
3,875-square meter Hans Menzi compound in Outlook Drive are among the mansions
that have been deteriorating.
Campos also surrendered a 2,677-square meter property at the Banaue Inn
compound, a 17,516-square-meter lot at the J.Y. Campos compound and a
1,146-square meter lot at the Wigwam compound – estimated to be worth P154.71
million.

[PHOTO - PROSPECTIVE TOURIST SPOT: One of the Marcos mansions in Baguio
City PHOTO BY ACE ALEGRE]
The PCGG is looking into the privatization of these properties.
Gonzaga said the Hans Menzi property alone, which is up for bidding in March,
could be sold for P36.15 million.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: 85 MURDERS IN COTABATO CITY IN 2011 / UNUSUAL DURIAN SEASON IN DAVAO

85 MURDERS IN COTABATO CITY IN 2011 /
UNUSUAL DURIAN SEASON IN DAVAO

COTABATO CITY, JANUARY 31, 2012
(STAR) By John Unson (PHOTO - Police forensic experts sift
through a scene of a recent roadside bombing at Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato where
an M18A1 Claymore went off, slightly wounding a policemen who tries to prevent
passers-by from getting close after a bystander found the explosive near an
Acacia tree along the sidewalk. JOHN UNSON)
After having been tagged as the "kidnapping capital" of Mindanao in the
1990s, the city might soon just be labeled with another moniker for having been
the scene of 85 murders in 2011.
There are in fact dozens of peace activists from various foreign-assisted
peace advocacy outfits now contemplating to embark on a roundtable forum to
discuss the city's security woes.
It was only after the January 10 near-fatal ambush of Cotabato Vice-Mayor
Muslimin Sema that the city's mixed Muslim and Christian sectors learned that 85
local residents have been killed from January to December last year.
An incumbent member of the city council, Froilan Melendrez, told reporters
that only a small fraction of the murder cases have been solved by the local
police.
"When they say solve, they mean corresponding cases have been filed in
court," Melendrez said.
He said the city council is now in possession of documents detailing how many
people were killed here the past 12 months.
City police director Danny Reyes, in an interview with Catholic station dxMS
here, did not refute the facts Melendrez revealed.
Reyes, however, assured the public that they are doing everything to prevent
escalation of crimes in the city.
Along with the 85 killings in 2011 were more than a dozen bombings, more than
a dozen supposed bomb attacks were foiled by members of the Army's 6th Ordnance
and Explosive Detachment with their prompt deactivation of powerful improvised
explosive devices in different spots here.
Sources from the city's media community, among them officials of the local
chapters of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and the National Union
of Journalists, said most of the unsolved murders were perpetrated by notorious
guns-for-hire, virtually unfazed by the heavy presence of policemen and
battle-ready combatants of the 7th Marine Battalion in the city's key entry and
exit routes.
Two popular hosts of a public affairs program of the Notre Dame Broadcasting
Corporation here, Jeff Mendez and Marychill Faunillan-Hawtay, took turn in
asking why the city police office has been reluctant to provide journalists with
data on the crimes and other peace and security issues besetting the 37
barangays here.
Chua Yu Beng, a senior official of the city's Filipino-Chinese Chamber of
Commerce, earlier said there is an impression now among some of them that
ordinary city residents are no longer safe because even the city's supposedly
influential and powerful vice mayor almost got killed in a daring attack last
January 10.
Sema was on his way home from a session at the city council when one of two
men riding a motorcycle in tandem opened fire at his 4x4 vehicle with a
customized M-16 assault rifle fitted with a noise suppressor.
Sema, chairman of the most dominant of at least three factions in the Moro
National Liberation Front, was hit in his jaw, hospitalized for six days in
Davao City and returned to work last Tuesday.
Concerned sectors wanted the judiciary to deploy more judges in the city,
where there is only one judge now, Bansawan Ibrahim, who is litigating hundreds
of cases at the Regional Trial Court here.
Ibrahim's house was strafed with automatic rifles by unknown attackers two
years ago in what he believed was a work-related attack.
Motorcycle-riding men gunned down last year Maguindanao's provincial
prosecutor, Akil Balt, in a broad daylight attack at the busy Sinsuat Avenue
here. The murder of Balt has remained unsolved.
The attack on the house of Ibrahim and the murder of Balt was preceded by the
still unsolved ambush-slay of Judge Sahara Silongan also at the same
thoroughfare about five years ago.
Davao City has unusual Durian season By Keith
Bacongco Home Updated January 27, 2012 10:28 AM 0 comment to this post
PHILIPPINE DAILY STAR

[PHOTO - Durian sold at the fruit stands near Magsaysay Park in Davao
City. Durian season came only this January as it usually blooms during the
months of July to August. (KEITH
BACONGCO)]
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The City Agriculture Office said Friday that
Davaoeños and tourists alike may now enjoy the bountiful harvest of Durian
fruits starting this month and may even extend until Araw ng Dabaw in March.

Unlike in the past, when Durian season comes every July and August, Leonardo
Avila III, acting chief of the City Agriculture Office, said the Durian fruiting
came five to six months late due to rains.
Avila said the volume is determined by the selling price, which has now
dropped from P70 per kilo to just P30 to P35 per kilo.
"This may stretch to two more months so we hope to have Durian during Araw ng
Dabaw, " he said adding that climate change has been a factor for the delay of
the Durian season.
Meanwhile, the agriculture chief said his office could not yet provide the
total harvest of durian last year, saying his office still consolidating data.

But Avila has earlier said that they are expecting a low harvest for 2011 due
to climate change.
In 2010, the city government has recorded at least 36,800 metric tons of
Durian have been harvested from different parts of the city.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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