A Repost From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

Jim Paredes thinks Manny Pangilinan and TV5's decision to retain Willie Revillame is "another subtle, unintended act of 'plagiarism'"

PEP – Sat, Apr 16, 2011 10:24 AM PHT

• Share
• retweet
• Email
• Print

Related Content

• Enlarge Photo

  Jim Paredes thinks Manny Pangilinan and TV5's decision to retain Willie Revillame …

Isa si Jim Paredes sa mga vocal critics ni Willie Revillame at noong Biyernes ng gabi, April 15, nag-post siya ng komento sa Think TV page ng Facebook tungkol sa headline ng Philippine Daily Inquirer na "TV5 Willing To Back Willie Revillame."

Ayon sa report ng Inquirer, suportado ng TV5 si Willie dahil walang nakikita na dahilan ang management para alisin ang kontroberisyal na programa ng TV host, ang Willing Willie.

Sinabi ng TV officials na "unfairly cast" si Willie sa mata ng publiko bilang "child abuser" pero gumagawa sila ng mga guideline tungkol sa paglabas ng mga bata sa mga entertainment at news program ng TV5.

Ang businessman na si Manny V. Pangilinan ang may-ari ng TV5 at siya ang naging puntirya kagabi ng Think TV post ni Jim.

Ito ang eksaktong statement ni Jim na nai-post ng 10:32 PM:

"Willie has screwed up majorly on ABC 5, but Manny V. Pangilinan is giving him another chance. Just like Gabby [Lopez] did many times in abs-cbn... I don't know if MVP notices this but he seems to be copying Gabby Lopez's actions. History is repeating itself. I don't know if he is doing this consciously, or if this another subtle, unintended act of 'plagiarism'. ha ha.."

Noong nakaraang taon, nasangkot sa kontrobersiya ang TV5 owner dahil sa bintang na kinopya niya ang kanyang commencement speech para sa graduating students ng Ateneo de Manila University mula sa mga speech nina Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, JK Rowling at Conan O'Brien.

Inimbitahan si Pangilinan na graduation speaker dahil sa honorary degree na ipinagkaloob sa kanya bilang pagkilala sa paglilingkod at mga contribution niya sa Ateneo de Manila University.

Nag-apologize si Pangilinan kay Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, ang Presidente ng Ateneo de Manila University sa pamamagitan ng isang written apology. Nag-offer din siya na magbitiw sa kanyang tungkulin bilang chairman ng Ateneo Board of Trustees.

Ang insidente na kinasangkutan ni Pangilinan ang basehan ng "act of 'plagiarism'" comment ni Jim sa Think TV page ng Facebook na biglang na-delete.

Incidentally, bukod sa ownership ng TV5, stockholder si Pangilinan ng Philippine Daily Inquirer at Philippine Star, ang broadsheet na pinagsusulatan ni Jim ng kanyang weekly columns.

MISUNDERSTANDING WITH BONGBONG. Samantala, nag-apologize naman si Jim sa kanyang Twitter account nang ma-realize niya na hindi para sa kanya ang tweet ni Senator Bongbong Marcos na naging ugat ng kanilang sandaling patutsadahan sa Twitter noong April 11. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

"OK. I figured.. Sorry Bongbong.. Your coward statement was meant for someone else" ang naka-post sa Twitter account ni Jim.

Si Jim ay isa sa miyembro ng legendary singing group na APO Hiking Society, na naging prominente noong 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. Dahil sa People Power kaya napilitang bumaba sa puwesto si dating Presidente Ferdinand Marcos, ang ama ni Senator Bongbong.

Reposted From PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal)

A Repost From Glenda Villena of OMG! Philippine News Blog

Pilar Pilapil found stabbed in Antipolo City

By Glenda Villena | omg! Philippines News Blog – 15 hours ago

• Share
• retweet
• Email

Pilar Pilapil

(UPDATE) Beauty queen turned character actress Pilar Pilapil, whose real name is Delilah Veloso, was stabbed in a carjacking incident late Thursday evening.

Pilapil, 60, and her female companion, identified as a certain Roselle Rosalem, were cruising along the Marikina Riverbanks on Thursday night when their vehicle, a gold Kia car, was stopped by three motorcycle-riding armed men, who then commandeered their vehicle, police said.

Pilapil was then stabbed and thrown out of the vehicle onto a vacant lot in Piedra Blanca Homes in Antipolo City. Reports said the whereabouts of Rosalem remained unknown.

Rosalem was the driver of the carjacked vehicle.

Residents in the area rushed Pilapil to the Antipolo Medical Center in Masinag where she received first aid treatment before she was transferred to The Medical City in Pasig City.

The 1967 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe and award-winning actress is now out of danger and recovering.

Reposted From Glenda Villena of OMG! Philippine News Blog

A Repost From SPOT

NAIA voted worst airport in Asia and 5th worst worldwide, says travel site

SPOT – Wed, Apr 13, 2011 5:13 PM PHT

• Share
• retweet
• Email
• Print

(SPOT.ph) The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been voted the worst airport in Asia and the fifth worst in the world last year, according to the online readers of travel site The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, reports Inquirer.net.

In the worldwide list, NAIA, particularly Terminal 1, followed Paris Charles de Gaulle (No. 1), Paris Beauvais (No. 2), Moscow Sheremetyevo (No. 3) and a Los Angeles airport (No. 4). In 2009, NAIA was voted the seventh worst in the world.

Part of the featured review by user trustma reads: "Terminal 1 needs to be demolished. It is filthy, too small and WAY past its prime. Lines are insanely long, and I was shocked that I had to pay airport tax for such a sh*thole. There were no toilet seats OR RUNNING WATER in the bathrooms! A big bucket with a dipper was by the front door and about four attendants hassled me for a tip."

However, the website also said, "There is hope at this airport if you go to Terminal 3 (which) is clean, spacious and (equipped with) Internet connection."

Inquirer.net quoted Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado: "We are aware of the deficiencies. We really appreciate the comments and we're trying to correct these things. But please understand that this will take time."

Honrado also asked critics of Terminal 1 to visit the 30-year-old terminal and take note of the improvements such as efforts to renovate the restrooms, reports Inquirer.net. He added that international flights will be moved to Terminal 3 in the next few years but that they are likely to retain Terminal 1 for "spillover" flights.

Reposted From SPOT

A Repost From Chuck Smith of OMG! Philippine News Blog

Jan-Jan’s parents file libel cases vs child abuse complainants

By Chuck Smith | omg! Philippines News Blog – 15 hours ago

• Share
• retweet
• Email

Jan-Jan's father, Joe Suan, answers questions from reporters. (Voltaire Domingo, NPPA Images)

(UPDATE) Joe and Diana Suan, parents of the six-year-old Jan-Jan Suan, have filed on libel cases before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office earlier Wednesday, April 13, against bloggers John Silva and Froilan Grate, and child psychologist Dr. Lourdes Carandang.

Jan-Jan Suan is the six-year-old contestant in the March 12 episode of “Willing Willie” who allegedly performed a macho dancer dance routine. Last week, the show's host-producer Willie Revillame announced that the show will be off the air for two weeks due to the controversy.

According to the complaint-affidavit, Joe and Diana filed a case against Grate for making it appear that Jan-Jan is an “abused child” and that his family allowed Jan-Jan to be abused in exchange for money and fame.

“Ito rin ay nagdulot ng masamang epekto sa aming pamilya kasama na si Jan-Jan. Dati masaya ang aming pamilya at nabubuhay kami ng mapayapa... Ngayon, dahil sa mga nabanggit na pangyayari nasira ang karangalan naming pamilya at ng aming anak... Ang dati naming masaya at tahimik na pamumuhay ay biglang nagulo at nabulabog,” the Suans said through the complaint-affidavit.

In his email-complaint sent to a number of individuals and agencies, including Commission of Human Rights chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, senator Pia Cayetano, and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares, among others, Grate condemned the “blatant act of subjecting poor Filipinos—especially minors, a group that history has shown to be one of the most vulnerable sectors of our society—to humiliation in shows like these in exchange for some quick case.”

It added, “Given the financial hardships that they have to endure, they often feel forced to do acts that violate their dignity as human beings in exchange for keeping body and soul together.. We express disappointment towards the parents of th boy for subjecting their child to do this horrible experience.”

Silva, meanwhile, posted a blog entry on website which goes: “What do these companies, Willing Willie, Channel 5, and Pedophiles have in common? THEY LIKE DOING MACHO DANCING.”

The said post is in violation of Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, according to the complaint-affidavit.

Carandang, on the other hand, wrote a letter to Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares to “register our very strong condemnation of the child abuse shown” on “Willing Willie” by host Revillame. It also stated that that “abuse was done on a 6-year-old boy named Jan-Jan.”

The complaint-affidavit said that saying Jan-Jan was abused is an imputation of a vice or defect that caused dishonor, discredit, and contempt to their family and Jan-Jan.

Not abused

In a press conference held Wednesday at the Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park, Makati City, John Pineda, lawyer of Suans, said the couple believes no abuse was done to their child.

“Sila po ay naniniwala na walang pang-aabusong nangyari at sila ay di papayag, kahit sila ay mahirap, na maabuso ang kanilang anak ng sinoman. Gusto po nila na matigil ang lahat ng ito... Gusto nilang bumalik sa kanilang pribadong buhay. Ayaw po nila na magamit si Jan-Jan sa agenda ng kung sino-sinong tao,” Pineda said.

He added that the family does not want Jan-Jan to become a “poster child” for child abuse.

“Kung sinasabi po nila na na-child abuse ang anak, maling-mali po sila dun. Ako na po ang makakapagsabi sa inyo, maling-mali sila sa mga sinasabi nila. Tigilan na po nila ang pagsasabi ng ganun dahil napakasakit para sa isang ina na ang anak po nila ay tsina-child abuse. Sila po ang nagchi-child abuse sa anak ko di po nila alam ang totoo,” Diana Suan said.

“Hindi kami ang nang-aapi sa anak namin. Sila ang nang-aapi sa anak namin... Natatakot po kami sa mga sinasabi nila sa amin,” Joe Suan said.

Pineda said he is offering his services to Joe and Diana “pro bono,” adding he is a frequent customer at Joe's parlor in Quezon City.

He said the family is saddened that Carandang made a pre-mature conclusion before she even examined Jan-Jan.

“Ang kinasasama ng loob nung parents, may pre-mature conclusion even before a personal examination. Ang pamilya po ay di naniniwala na hindi kailangang makita ng isang sikolohista ang isang bata, matanong, ma-subject sa iba-ibang examination, ang magulang makausap. Even before she made a personal evaluation of the true and genuine situation of the child, nagkaroon na sya ng conclusion ng child abuse,” Pineda explained.

He added, “Hindi po papasa yung nangyari sa depinisyon ng batas yung maltreatment.”

Pineda also criticized Carandang and Rosales, who both said they believe Jan-Jan was abused.

“Ultimately, ang korte ang magsasabi kung naganap ang child abuse. Ang pagbabasehan ng korte ay hindi ang opinion ko, ang opinyon natin. Ang pagbabasehan ng korte ay ang batas. May pangmamaltrato bang nangyari? Yung pagsasayaw ba ni Jan-Jan ay pangmamaltrato? Yung pag-iyak ba ni Jan-Jan ay pangmamaltrato?” he said.

Joe Suan said they received an invitation from Carandang, but they declined, citing her earlier statements.

Pineda added that Jan-Jan already underwent a psychological evaluation. He also clarified that they are not refusing any help from the Department of the Social Welfare and Development but explained that the family is already undergoing counseling.

“Gusto naming makasigurado na at the end of the day, makakatulong sa pamilya at kay Jan Jan,” Pineda said of those offering assistance. “Nung pinalaki po nila si Jan Jan, wala po nitong media attention na ito. Wala pong ibang taong nakikialam sa kanila. Pagkatapos ng nainitan ng isyu na ito, sila po ang patuloy na magpapalaki kay Jan-Jan. Yung mga tao po bang nagcri-criticize sa kanila ay tutulong ba sa kanila? Pero sila po araw-araw na kasama ni Jan-Jan.”

Reposted From Chuck Smith of OMG! Philippine News Blog

A Repost From Sophia Dedace, GMA News

Supreme Court upholds Danding on SMC shares

SOPHIA DEDACE, GMA News

04/12/2011 | 08:03 PM

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco’s 20-percent stake in San Miguel Corp. (SMC) does not form part of the so-called coco levy funds and does not belong to the Philippine government.

Coco levy is a tax exacted from coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982, during the term of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Cojuangco and Marcos-era officials bought the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) using coco levy funds.

A perceived Marcos crony, Cojuangco is the uncle of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III and first cousin of Aquino's mother, the late former President Cory Aquino.

In a 73-page ruling promulgated on Tuesday, the high court dismissed the petition filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which sought to reverse the Sandiganbayan's ruling in 2007.

The Sandiganbayan ruled that Cojuangco, as chair of SMC, is the rightful owner of the contested shares.

In affirming the Sandiganbayan, the Supreme Court held: “The block of shares in San Miguel Corp. in the names of respondent Cojuangco, et al.... the exclusive property of Cojuangco et al. as registered owners."

“Accordingly, the lifting and setting aside of the writ of sequestration affecting said block of shares… are affirmed and the annotation of the conditions prescribed in the resolutions promulgated on October 8, 2003 and June 24, 2005 is canceled," added the ruling written by SC Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin.

The SC handed down its decision in Baguio City, where the justices are holding their annual summer session.

Those who concurred with the ruling were Chief Justice Renato Corona and SC Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Mariano del Castillo, Roberto Abad, and Martin Villarama.

Those who dissented were SC Associate Justices Conchita Carpio-Morales, Arturo Brion, Jose Mendoza, and Maria Lourdes Sereno.

SC Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Diosdado Peralta, and Eduardo Nachura inhibited themselves from the case. Carpio was among the original petitioners in the bid to declare the coco levy funds as public funds, while Nachura was involved in the case when he was solicitor general. Peralta, for his part, was with the Sandiganbayan when the case was at the anti-graft court's level.

Coco levy and SMC

In 1983, the Cojuangco-controlled UCPB acquired shares of stock in SMC. UCPB was the administrator of a block of shares that included a 27-percent stake in SMC. This block is composed of several companies formed using the coco levy funds.

Apart from UCPB's block of shares, Cojuangco also controls another 20 percent of the shares.

But the government, through the PCGG, also claimed ownership of these 20-percent share-holdings, saying these were also acquired using coco levy funds. The government argued that the subject shares should have been deemed purchased using public funds because these were purchased supposedly using UCPB funds.

In November 2007, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the government's claim to the shares. It said that the government failed to substantiate its claim that the contested shares were bought by Cojuangco’s group using the coco levy funds.

The PCGG then appealed the anti-graft court's ruling to the Supreme Court.

In May 2009, Cojuangco asked the high court to resolve PCGG's suit, adding that the case has been deemed submitted for resolution since July 2008.

Cojuangco argued that his right as the owner of SMC shares was "curtailed and limited" after the PCGG sequestered the contested SMC shares in 1986 and 1987 and charged him for amassing ill-gotten wealth,

"The owners of the shares could not freely sell, encumber or otherwise exercise rights of ownership over the shares. The resulting damage and injury needs no proof. And since the plaintiff is the Republic of the Philippines, it is futile to expect any possible compensation for the injury and damage sustained," Cojuangco said in his pleading, filed through veteran lawyer Estelito Mendoza. – MRT/KBK/VS/HS, GMA News

Reposted From Sophia Dedace, GMA News

A Repost From AP (Associated Press)

Philippine court orders Marcos to return $280,000

By HRVOJE HRANJSKI - Associated Press | AP – Mon, Apr 11, 2011 8:53 PM PHT

• Share
• retweet
• Email
• Print

A Philippine court has ordered the widow of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos to return 12 million pesos ($280,000) that her husband pocketed from the government's food agency in 1983, an official said Monday.

The amount may be considered minuscule compared to the estimated $10 billion Marcos and his associates allegedly amassed during his 21 years in power, but the case marked a rare legal victory in efforts to reclaim at least some of the ill-gotten wealth.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government, which was formed after Marcos was ousted in 1986 with the task of running after the stolen money, has so far identified around $6.5 billion and recovered cash and assets totaling around $1.97 billion.

An antigraft court made the ruling Friday and gave Imelda Marcos 30 days to pay or, if she is unable to do so, provide a list of properties and assets to cover it, said court clerk Teresa Pabulayan.

The conviction was based on testimony by former National Food Administrator Jesus Tanchanco, who said that Ferdinand Marcos instructed him by phone in 1983 to transfer the money to his private account.

Tanchanco was granted immunity from prosecution in 1988 in exchange for his testimony.

Imelda Marcos, 81, did not comment immediately, although Pabulayan said she was notified of the court's decision seven months ago and filed an appeal. The appeal was later dropped and the court announced its final ruling Friday.

The flamboyant former first lady, better known for her extensive shoe and diamond collection, returned from U.S. exile to the Philippines in 1991 and entered politics.

She was elected to the House of Representatives last May, her second time in Congress, while her son was voted in as a senator and her daughter as a provincial governor.

Despite massive human rights violations and a decade and a half of economic stagnation and political repression after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, the Marcoses still enjoy support, especially in the late strongman's northern stronghold.

Imelda Marcos had faced some 900 civil and criminal cases in Philippine courts, but all but a handful have been dismissed for lack of evidence.

The Marcoses have denied any wrongdoing.

Reposted From AP (Associated Press)

A Repost From Glenda Villena of OMG! Philippine News Blog

Architecture board topnotcher wins Bb. Pilipinas Universe title

By Glenda Villena | omg! Philippines News Blog – 3 hours ago

• Share
• retweet
• Email

Shamcey Supsup is crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe (Jerome Ascano, NPPA Images)

(UPDATE 2) General Santos City-born Shamcey Supsup, the 2010 architecture board topnotcher, was named the 2011 Binibining Pilipinas Universe during the pageant coronation night on Sunday, April 10 at the Araneta Coliseum.

A surprised yet ecstatic Shamcey, who also graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman, will represent the country in the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

"I still can't believe it. Parang panaginip. Kanina nung nag announce na sabi ko it's God's will. If it's for you, it's for you. You just have to believe it," Shamcey said in an interview after the pageant. "Whatever happens, it happens for a reason and God has a plan for every one of us... Ang dami talagang magaganda. Ang dami talagang magagaling. Feeling ko the judges had a hard time choosing the winner for the year."

Asked if she's now feeling the pressure of accomplishing the feat of Venus Raj, who won fourth runner up in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas last year, Shamcey said:

"I'm not pressured at all kasi I believe I was here for a reason and whatever my destiny is, I'll do my best. I'm just gonna give it my all and I hope that whatever I'm gonna do there [Brazil] yun ang hinahanap nila at kung para talaga sa 'yo para talaga sa 'yo," Shamcey said.

Shamcey bested 39 other candidates in the pageant. Aside from winning the major title, she also won three special awards: Miss Cream Silk, Ambassador of Philippine Airlines, and Miss Talent.

Meanwhile, Iriga native Dianne Necio bagged the Binibining Pilipinas International title and Pasig City resident Isabella Manjon was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Tourism.

For Dianne, it is a dream come true after winning the first runner up plum last year.

"Last year, I joined and I ended up as first runner up and it was talagang pinagdasal ko. Kanina I'm not expecting anything. Sabi ko lang, 'Lord ibigay mo kung ano yung gusto mo ibigay.' So I'm just thankful na I will have the chance to compete in an international title... Talagang pag di mo tinigilan yung dream mo, maaabot mo siya and keep on praying," Dianne said in an interview.

Isabella, on the other hand, could not contain her joy in winning the Tourism crown.

"I'm so overwhelmed right now. Sobrang I feel blank. I'm so happy," she said.

Other winners are First Runner Up Janine Tugonon and Second Runner Up Mary Jean Lastimosa.

This year's special award winners are:

People's Choice: The Face of Binibining Pilipinas: Angelia Ong
Best in swimsuit: Queenirich Rehman
Best in long gown: Luzelle Felipe
Ms. Friendship: Samantha Purvor
Manila Bulletin Reader's Choice: Luzelle Felipe

Reposted From Glenda Villena of OMG! Philippine News Blog