Friday, July 2, 2010

A Repost From GMA News.TV


Spokesman: Aquino may have to use 'wang wang'

One of the lifestyle changes that Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III may have to undertake as president is the use of "wang-wang" (sirens), a practice of some government officials and even private citizens that he vehemently opposes.

At a press conference on Thursday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the use of sirens for Aquino will be a matter of security concerns.

"It's up to the president himself if wants to refrain from using it (siren), but of course the affairs of the state take precedence over everything, so I think the president will be counseled, advised by the PSG (Presidential Security Group) and he will take the advice of the PSG under consideration," Lacierda said.

In his inaugural speech on Wednesday, Aquino said the indiscriminate use of sirens by several government officials — especially those who are unauthorized by law — emphasizes the excesses of the rich and influential over the common folk.

"Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin (Have you ever got stuck in heavy traffic, only to see a big shot with flashing siren on the road cut in ahead of you? I have)," he said in his speech.

Aquino, a three-term congressman and senator for three years before he was elected president, is known for obediently following traffic rules and not using sirens even when he has to get to important appointments.

He promised to put an end to the irresponsible use of sirens, among others.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa," said Aquino in his speech.

(No taking advantage, no invoking of connections in the government, no plunder of funds. No flashing sirens, no counterflow, no cop asking for bribe. It’s time we return to being charitable.)

The late President Ferdinand Marcos issued a decree in 1973 regulating the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices. [See: 'Law vs. wang wang in place but implementation absent']

"The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," a portion of the law said.

For government officials, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice are entitled to use vehicles with these devices.

Lacierda said since Aquino is authorized by law to use sirens, he can not be faulted for using such. “Since he's allowed by law to use wang-wang, he can use the wang-wang," he said. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

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Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Mariel Rodriguez: Robin Padilla is not sleeping in my condo

Mariel Rodriguez: Robin Padilla is not sleeping in my condo

MANILA, Philippines - Actress Mariel Rodriguez has belied the rumor that actor Robin Padilla is already sleeping in her condominium unit.

In a press conference for her upcoming horror film “Cinco,” Rodriguez pointed out that Padilla would not do such thing because he is a gentleman.

"Sobrang gentleman ni Robin Padilla, sobra. Walang mali sa kanya. Sobra niyang gentleman so hindi siya ‘yong type na [ganoon]," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also denied reports that Padilla would drive her to ABS-CBN in Quezon City from her house for her hosting job on “Wowowee.”

When asked about the current status of her relationship with Padilla, the actress replied: "I saw him in another birthday party, he's really very nice. We’ve never gone out on date na kaming dalawa lang."

Padilla met Rodriguez when he became the first guest host of hit noontime show "Wowowee" for 2 weeks after its main host, Willie Revillame, took an “indefinite break” following a word war with Jobert Sucaldito.

In a previous interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Padilla's daughter, Queenie, hinted that his action star father was probably going out on dates with Rodriguez.

"Siguro po, hindi ko alam… kasi ever since nagkakilala sila halos hindi po siya umuuwi. ... hindi ko po alam kung nasaan siya. Siguro po nagda-date," the 19-year-old said.

Both Padilla and Rodriguez, the stars of upcoming ABS-CBN comedy program “Palibhasa Sikat,” have repeatedly denied that they were an item.

Rodriguez has recently split from actor Zanjoe Marudo. Padilla's marriage to Liezl Sicangco, meantime, ended in divorce 2 years ago.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A Repost From Thea Alberto at Yahoo! Southeast Asia

‘The ball is now in your hands’

By Thea Alberto – June 30th, 2010
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By Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia / Photo by Mike Alquinto & Voltaire Domingo, NPPA Images

In what seemed to be a prophecy, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. once told his only son Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to serve and lead the country in the best of his capacity.

In his letter to Noynoy dated August 25, 1973, almost a year after Martial Law was imposed, Ninoy lamented his incarceration and asked his son to continue his advocacies.

“The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience. There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength,” the older Aquino said.

“Son, the ball is now in your hands,” added Ninoy.

Thirty-six years later, Ninoy’s hunch proved to be true—with his only son now taking oath as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Although Ninoy and his wife, the late president Corazon Aquino (who died of cancer August 2009), did not live to see this day, the younger Aquino took his oath before his four sisters, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris, and before millions of Filipinos who believed his promise to eradicate corruption.

‘So help me God’

Mike Alquinto / NPPA Images

Amid cheers, Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales administered Aquino’s oath of office at the highly yellow Quirino grandstand, minutes short of the 12:00 time as mandated by the Constitution.

A 21-cannon salute was delivered after Aquino’s oath while two choppers showered the crowd with yellow rose petals.

Fr. Catalino Arevalo, the family’s spiritual adviser, held the bible where Aquino symbolically placed his hand as he delivered his oath.

Earlier, Vice President Jejomar Binay also took the oath administered by Morales.

In a brief but highly symbolic move, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally relinquished her post to President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Voltaire Domingo / NPPA Images

The two arrived at the Quirino grandstand at exactly 10:35 am and exchanged handshakes before the crowd.

Earlier, Aquino and Arroyo shared the presidential car, a tradition in inaugurals.

At the Quirino grandstand, Arroyo then made her final pass in review. She was seen smiling at the yellow crowd.

Arroyo then left with her personal car.

Reposted From Thea Alberto Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A Repost From Thea Alberto at Yahoo News

Aquino team a mixture of old and new

By Thea Alberto – June 29th, 2010
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By Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s official team is a mixture of “old and new faces.” It is composed of people from his late mother’s Cabinet and those behind his presidential campaign.

“You will see old and new faces. You will see the young…and also young. But bottom line is these are the people who I believe have committed to the philosophy that the problems in this country are solvable,” Aquino told a press conference Tuesday, as he announced the names of his official Cabinet members.

Aquino will be the interim Secretary for Interior and Local Government while he has yet to determine his appointee for the much-coveted post.

“Kung di tayo nakakahanap ng alter-ego natin na buong buo ang pagtitiwala, e sino ang pagtitiwalaan mo kundi ako muna,” Aquino explained when asked why he had no appointee to the DILG.

What follows is a list of Aquino’s Cabinet members and his actual quotes about them:

Executive Secretary: Lawyer Paquito M. Ochoa Jr.

“Jojo has been helping me out. I’m not a lawyer, he has helped me out in understanding the law and the intricacies of the law ever since I started in public office. Both our parents were allies in the LP, have been consistent allies all throughout our lives,” Aquino said of Ochoa.

Foreign Affairs: Alberto Romulo

“[He] graciously consented to retaining his position. And we are very fortunate to have him as a senior member of the Cabinet,” said Aquino.

Finance: Former Secretary and Secretary-designate Cesar Purisima.

“I think his credentials speak for himself. But most of these people their credentials speak for themselves,” Aquino said.

Justice: Leila M. de Lima.

“I am very sure you are familiar with the quality of her work. As you know, the judicial is a very important portion of our platform and again we are very fortunate to get her to consent to carrying the burden primarily for judicial reform in our country,” he said.

Defense: Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire Gazmin

“Perhaps one of the key people for giving me the opportunity to be present before you because he took good care of us during the numerous coup attempts during my mom’s incumbency, as well as his continuous dedication to the Filipino people in this very abnormal situation we find our country in,” said Aquino.

Education: Christian brother, Fr. Armin Luistro of De La Salle system

“Coming from the AdMU I think it already speaks highly of the qualifications of Bro. Armin that I begged him to join the Cabinet,” said Aquino.

Budget and Management: Butch Abad

“The budget is the enabler of all of our policy decisions. We believe he is the best person at the present time to assist us in judiciously spending the people’s funds to help him and help us,” said Aquino.

NEDA: Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr.

“We will have a NEDA that will give us sound advice due to economic considerations and not political considerations,” he said.
.
Department of Agriculture: Quezon Rep. Proceso V. Alcala

“He has been heavily involved in environmental concerns within and without Quezon, organic farming and so many aspects of agriculture have been the advocacies of Rep. and Sec-designate Alcala,” he said.

DENR: Usec. Ramon Paje

DOTC: Jose de Jesus.

“As you know he served under my mother’s Cabinet both as Secretary to the Cabinet and one of the most if not the most hardworking members of my mother’s Cabinet,” he said.

Labor and Employment: Usec. Rosalinda Baldoz

“She used to head the POEA among other agencies. Her concentration also is with the workings of NLRC, which we believe is an adjunct of her agency under DOLE in need of very strong reforms. We find in her the capability to make this agency truly responsive to the needs of the working man,” said Aquino.

Health: Director of NKTI, Enrique T. Ona.

“In our interview we saw in him the potential to become a complete alter-ego, especially given the fact that health agenda is No. 3 on our platform. And he has been given instructions specifically with regard to expediting universal coverage of PhilHealth, one of our campaign promises,” said Aquino.

Tourism: Alberto Lim

“He has been involved in various business endeavors to include the setting up of El Nido and Amanpulo.”

DTI: Gregory L. Domingo

“Served in that capacity as Usec for (Board) of Investments. Presently executive director SM Investments Corp., international trade law and business law lecturer, MBA program, DLSU.”

DSWD: Corazon Juliano-Soliman, whom Aquino said “needs no introduction.”

DOST: Dr. Mario G. Montejo

“A man of numerous titles, meaning so many degrees. He is a person I have known for the past few years, actually few decades. Among the inventions his companies set up, they were a group of academicians who decided they wanted to make their studies more practical,” said Aquino.

Energy: Jose Rene Almendras

“I knew him since college days. He is a very good friend of mine presently with Manila Water. Obviously we want somebody who is not part of the industry inasmuch as there will be a lot of dealings with the industry. We do not want to fall into a trap of regulatory capture,” said Aquino.

DPWH: Rogelio Singson

“Very extensive CV. I don’t think he is a stranger to most of us. It is coincidental he is presently with Maynilad,” said Aquino.

DAR: Virgilio R. delos Reyes

“I met him first at the interview I was very impressed with the knowledge he possessed with regards to the problems pertaining to the [sector],” said Aquino.

Peace process: Teresita Deles

Presidential Management Staff: Julia Abad

“I have been served faithfully ever since I became senator about 3 years today by the Hon. Julia Abad . She has undergone numerous schoolings. But more than that she has my absolute trust having run my office,” said Aquino.

Presidential Spokesman: Edwin Lacierda

Pres Legal Counsel: Eduardo de Mesa, one of the first lawyers when Aquino took upon public service in 1998.

CHED: Dr. Patricia Licuanan

“She will, as her primary mission, rectify the current situation where the government agency tasked to oversee higher educational institutions seems to be sleeping on the job,” said Aquino.

BIR: Atty. Kim Jacinto Henares

“Kim has been functioning in effect as secretary to the Cabinet in all the policy briefings that I have been subjected to. She has been very effective in coming out with answers to a lot of the questions in my rushed preparations for this presidential campaign,” he said.

Chief of Staff, AFP: Maj. Gen. Ric David

PNP Chief: Jesus Verzosa

Reposted From Thea Alberto Of Yahoo! News Southeast Asia

Sunday, June 27, 2010

A Repost From Janie Octia Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Kris says marriage is over

By Janie Octia – June 27th, 2010
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By Janie Octia, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

After days of silence regarding her marriage, actress-TV host Kris Aquino admitted she has given up on her marriage with basketball superstar James Yap.

In an interview with The Buzz’s Boy Abunda, Aquino said her decision was not made in a spur of the moment.

“On my part, with finality, I can say ako ay sumuko na,” Aquino said.

Reports of their troubled marriage came out after Aquino shared in her Twitter account that she and James are going through a “difficult time” and problems in their married life remained.

Two days later, Kris suspended her Twitter account.

Following the proclamation of her brother Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the president, she also announced her decision to leave her showbiz-oriented talk shows The Buzz and Showbiz News Ngayon, which she co-hosted.

She did this to avoid any controversy and issues that could affect her brother’s administration.

James Yap, who recently visited President-elect Aquino in his Times Street home, has yet to issue a statement regarding Kris Aquino’s latest revelation.

During the airing of her revelation on TV late Sunday, Kris Aquino was among the top topics on Twitter, as it was among the top Trending Topics.

Here’s the transcript of Kris Aquino’s interview on ABS-CBNnews.com.

Reposted From Janie Octia Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

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