Australia - Philippines Visas and Migration News

PHNO-SP: 'BIBLE AMBASSADOR': MANNY PACQUIAO CONSIDERS RETIREMENT NEXT YEAR

2012-02-14T19:23:00.001+10:00

'BIBLE AMBASSADOR': MANNY PACQUIAO CONSIDERS RETIREMENT NEXT
YEAR

MANILA, FEBRUARY 11, 2012 (ABS-CBN) BOXING champ Manny
Pacquiao is considering retiring next year, saying beating on people in the ring
might not be good for a "Bible ambassador."
Pacquiao said his upcoming bout with undefeated American boxer Timothy
Bradley Jr. on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas may be his last fight.
This also means that his much-awaited dream fight with American Floyd
Mayweather Jr. may never happen.
Pacquiao explained it may not look good to be seen fighting in the boxing
ring now that he has accepted the Church's offer to become a Bible ambassador.

He said he may just focus on his political plans and reading the Bible.
Last month, Pacquiao disclosed during a one-on-one interview with Dyan
Castillejo that he has renewed his faith and has turned his back on vices,
including womanizing, gambling and drinking.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SI: WINDOWS 8 PREVIEW ON FEBRUARY 29 / TRIAL VERSION IS TOUCH-CENTRIC OS

2012-02-14T19:06:00.001+10:00

WINDOWS 8 PREVIEW ON FEBRUARY 29 / TRIAL VERSION IS
TOUCH-CENTRIC OS

SAN FRANCISCO,
FEBRUARY 14,
2012 (INQUIRER) Agence
France-Presse - Microsoft on Wednesday revealed plans to unveil a test
version of its latest Windows computer operating software later this month.
The US technology titan sent out invitations to a "Windows Consumer Preview"
event to be held on February 29 at a hotel in Barcelona during a Mobile World
Congress gathering in that city.
Microsoft promised to release more information closer to the end of the
month.
The introduction of a test, or beta, version of Windows 8 to the public is
expected to be accompanied by the opening of an "app store" stocked with
mini-programs tailored for the next-generation operating system.
In December, Microsoft began wooing developers for a February opening of its
first Windows Store intended to feature third-party applications crafted for
computers powered by the Redmond, Washington-based firm's software.
It will take on Apple and Google in the booming market of fun, hip or
functional programs built for smartphones, tablets and computers.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Date Confirmed
Microsoft is set to release a trial version of its touch-centric operating
system to everyday computer users.
By Paul McDougall InformationWeek February 08, 2012 05:12 PM
The general public won't have to wait long to get its hands on
Windows 8, as Microsoft has confirmed the date on which it will make a trial
version of its newest operating system freely available to anyone who wants to
download it and kick the tires.
Microsoft will hold an event in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 29 to formally
launch Windows 8 Consumer Preview, according to an invitation the company sent
to journalists Wednesday.
The date and location coincide with the World Mobile Congress, an indication
that Microsoft is serious about pushing Windows 8 as a mobile operating system
for tablets, as well as for traditional desktops and laptops.

Microsoft typically warns users that unfinished software can cause system
problems and that users should try it only if they have reasonably advanced
computer skills.
Microsoft in September released the Windows 8 Developer Preview along with
tools that programmers could use to build apps and get familiar with Windows 8.

The new OS represents the most fundamental redesign of the OS since
the debut of Windows 95.
For its interface, Windows 8 relies heavily on design elements taken from
Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 environment, including Metro themes and Live Tiles.
Tiles are blocks of screen real-estate that feed real-time updates from social
networks, messaging, e-mail, and other services to the home screen.
Leaked screenshots appear to show that Microsoft has even eliminated the
Start button, a familiar Windows navigation tool in past versions, and replaced
it with a swipeable area users can touch to bring up various menus.
Such a design is more tablet friendly, and Microsoft has made little secret
of the fact that it's counting on Windows 8 to make it a player in the tablet
market, which is dominated by Apple and Google-powered devices.
Microsoft has not announced a release date for the final version of Windows
8, saying that it prefers to work from "milestone to milestone." Still, many
analysts believe the OS could show up in some consumer products in time for the
2012 holiday season.
Social media are generating tons of data, but that data only becomes truly
valuable when examined in context.
Attend the virtual Enterprise 2.0 event Social Analytics: The Bridge To
Business Value, and learn how social analytics will provide the bridge to
unlocking business value. It happens Feb. 16.
How To Do Cloud Apps With Microsoft
Microsoft's Office cloud apps and storage are one of the Web's best-kept
secrets. Why settle for Google Docs?

What's In Microsoft's Cloud?
How does 25GB of free online storage, a free version of Microsoft Office
(including OneNote), file access on mobile devices, and an automatic synced
backup of up to 5GB on your PCs and Macs sound to you? Too good to be true? All
of this is available right now if you have or are willing to create a Microsoft
Live ID.
Before we go on, just a friendly reminder: Storing sensitive or confidential
material in the cloud can be a risky proposition and might violate legal
obligations. Check with your management before using any cloud storage service
for information that belongs to an entity other than you.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: 'ONCE IN A LIFETIME' VALENTINE CONCERT WITH MARTIN & SHARON

2012-02-14T19:05:00.001+10:00

'ONCE IN A LIFETIME' VALENTINE
CONCERT WITH MARTIN & SHARON

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Bibsy M. Carballo (Martin
Nievera and Sharon Cuneta click superbly.) When it was announced that
Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Concert King Martin Nievera would finally hold a
concert together, we swear hearing people gasp in the recesses of our
imagination! After all, these are the superstars of the live concert scene
coming together after three decades in a Valentine offering. Recent happenings
in their professional lives have added flavor to the package.
Meeting with Martin solo (Sharon came a few days later) meant we had him
blabbering non-stop for hours as only he can do best, completely forgetting (as
he is wont to) that some pronouncements should be off the record, and baring his
heart and soul to a handful of privileged listeners.
Martin and Gary Valenciano, strangely enough after 30 years, clearly remain
the reigning monarchs in this music kingdom. No one comes close. Which is why it
was genius (and God) that got them to forget past differences and do a project
called AS-1 which had been drawing crowds here and abroad.
And now Sharon and Martin have this Once in a Lifetime concert produced by
Viva Concerts & Events and Mega Productions, Inc., which was first staged at
the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night to start the Valentine season rolling.
Waterfront Lahug Hotel in Cebu confirmed a repeat of the concert on Valentine's
Day itself, Feb. 14, with more to follow.
The Sharon-Martin pairing is one that millions all over the world had
hankered for, but took so long to happen. Sharon herself has noted, "Martin has
been a friend for a long, long time. He is the ninong of my daughter Miel. I've
always thought that there are a lot of similarities in the way Martin and I
sing, I just do not know why we never had a show together or why we never
recorded a duet. We seem to like the same songs and we even recorded them solo
like Ikaw, which I did first and which he later recorded. There is also The
Promise. We have our own versions. Now we will do the duet at the concert."
It comes as no surprise that it took Viva's Vic del Rosario to bring them
together, as he has done for so many musical, magical pairings and aggrupations
in the past. It has also helped that both artists are now connected with Viva,
although Martin has stayed with ABS-CBN and Sharon moved to TV5.
For the benefit of those who are going to watch the Cebu concert, both Sharon
and Martin will sing their biggest hits To Love Again, Say That You Love Me, Now
That You're Gone, and the duets they have done but never really recorded. And of
course, they need to perform the title song composed by Vehnee Saturno, for
which Martin wrote the lyrics. This song will be included in an album marking
Sharon's return to Viva as a recording star.
Sharon's professional life started in 1978 with Mr. DJ which started a long
list of hit songs that led to her being proclaimed the Megastar. She conquered
the box-office with Maging Sino Ka Man, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Bituing Walang
Ningning, among others; The Sharon Cuneta Show on television, as well as
concerts, recordings and celebrity endorsements.
Martin's break came with Vehnee's composition Be My Lady. Then followed by
one hit after another — Each Day With You, You Are My Song, Ikaw Lang Ang
Mamahalin, Forever, Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap, etc.; conquered TV with Penthouse
Live and Martin After Dark; and became the Concert King after one blockbuster
concert after another.
In reviewing Sharon's Mega 30 concert celebrating her 30th anniversary in
show business, Jennifer Cuaycong wrote: "What would Sharon's concert be without
Martin Nievera? Bridging the melodies of Ikaw... dedicated to Sen. Francis
Pangilinan, 'the man who gave me forever,' and Nievera's Ikaw Ang Aking
Pangarap, theme song (of) Lobo, Cuneta and Nievera proved once more the
infallibility of their duet styles."
Even earlier in 2001, when Sharon celebrated her 25th anniversary from Mr. DJ
(composed by Rey Valera, recorded for Tito Sotto, then president of Vicor Music
Corporation) at age 12 to the teleserye Magkapatid, where she played sister to
Judy Ann Santos, Sharon took charge of inviting her guests for the two-night
affair, one of whom was Martin. When she texted Martin, he adjusted his schedule
which even involved moving a concert date abroad, and said yes to the
invitation.
During that concert, Leah Salterio who covered the event remembered Martin
and Sharon doing a medley of George Canseco, Willy Cruz, and Rey Valera like
Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Mahawi Man ang Ulap, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako and others.
She wrote of how Martin would fill in the gap unscripted while Sharon was
changing her costume during which he sang Josh Groban's You're Still You. During
still another costume change, Martin returned to entertain the audience by
spoofing himself and singing like his dad Bert Nievera and dancing like Gary V.
It was obvious that Martin didn't even need to sing to hold the audience's
attention.
But Martin isn't always the joker he is so good at playing. At times, in
intimate sessions with a handful, he allows us a glimpse at his private hurts.
At about the time Sharon made her move from ABS-CBN to TV5, Martin was also
presented an offer. He was being given anything he wanted and it was tempting.
But something was wrong somewhere, he felt. He went to the bosses at ABS, told
them of the TV5 offer. "What should I do?" Martin recalled asking. "Instead,
they were honest enough to say they had nothing for me now," and proceeded to
give him pointers on what to ask for.
Martin was perplexed and thought about what everyone told him. At 50 years
old and with 30 years in show business, what was left for him but to jump ship
and start anew. "If I were a businessman, I would have chosen TV5. But I just
didn't have it in me. I didn't listen. I asked myself, where do I want to be, as
opposed to where should I be."
Martin's mind wandered to the time ABS reopened after the Marcoses left.
There were two shows that started the network — Not so Late Night with Edu and
Martin and Pops Together. He even wrote the theme song of the reopening of the
station ABS-CBN, It's Great To See You Again. He liked the people at ABS, knew
everyone, was comfortable there. It was family to him, and he told himself, one
does not leave family. So he went to his bosses and told them, "I just need to
hear 'Don't go' from you. And they said, 'Don't go.'"
Was he crazy for passing up a great opportunity? He recalled once more what
he and Sharon had talked about loyalty being non-existent in the entertainment
sector. He was certain Sharon had a difficult time deciding to leave ABS where
she had spent many years. But he felt he belonged to Channel 2. Despite the fact
that he never had any contract all through the three decades, and only got one
recently through the representation of Boss Vic.
Now that these two great performers have finally come together, many are
likely to conjecture, what makes them superbly click with one another? The
Megastar who seems to have reached her every goal, and the Concert King with his
still unfulfilled dreams — what do they have in common? Their friends can
quickly answer that they share an immense passion for their craft and will stop
at nothing to attain perfection.
Both are now as busy if not busier than they've ever been before. Last year,
Martin topbilled What Love Is at the Big Dome with Sarah Geronimo in February,
took the show to major cities around the country, did two nights at Resorts
World Manila, and did All for One at the Araneta with Side A last November.
Sharon was in New Zealand some weeks back. Martin performed in Ireland for the
first time. Once in a Lifetime caps one of Martin's most successful years, at
the same time, marks Sharon returns to the local concert stage after nearly two
years of absence.

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-SB: 'BOURNE' ACTRESS AWED BY PALAWAN: "I CAN LIVE IN PALAWAN FOREVER"

2012-02-14T19:04:00.001+10:00

'BOURNE' ACTRESS AWED BY PALAWAN: "I
CAN LIVE IN PALAWAN FOREVER"
MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Perseus Echeminada - "I can
live in Palawan forever!"
These were the words of Hollywood actress Rachel Weisz during the shooting of
"The Bourne Legacy" in El Nido, Palawan recently, the movie's local producer
said yesterday.
Jun Juban, of the Philippine Film Studios Inc., told reporters during the
weekly news forum at Annabel's restaurant in Quezon City that Weisz was amazed
at Palawan's beauty.
Juban said the El Nido scene will show the natural beauty of Palawan to
millions of viewers across the globe when the movie opens in theaters sometime
in August.
"The contingent, including the cast who visited the island, has been very
expressive with their awe and amazement," he said.
Juban said because of the captivating beauty of the islands in Palawan, the
end part of the action-packed movie was shot in these places.
Aerial night shots of Manila and Makati will also be seen in the movie,
according to Juban.
He said tourism was definitely boosted because of the movie.
"There are close to 200 staff, crew and actors involved in this film. This
means 10,000 hotel room nights spread in two major hotels in Manila. This
definitely exceeded initial projections," he said.
The local producer thanked the government for its support, particularly
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., the Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority, the departments of the Interior and Local Government, Finance and
Tourism and local officials of the cities of Manila, Pasay, Navotas, Quezon and
Marikina where scenes of the movie were shot.
Juban said the producers of the movie are planning to have the premier
showing in Manila.
"We have been part of the Filipino film industry for three decades and it's
only now that a top action franchise movie is featuring Manila as Manila. Once
we see The Bourne Legacy on the wide screen worldwide, our fellow kababayans
will surely be very proud," Juban said.
FROM tropicalpenpals.com – Philippines
Blog
Rachel Weisz loves El Nido,Palawan February 12,
2012 By Matt
According to the movie's local producer yesterday, the British
actress quoted, "I can live in Palawan forever!" during the recent shooting of
"The Bourne Legacy" in El Nido, Palawan (photos at right).
Ms. Weisz was amazed at Palawan's beauty and splendour and that reporters
were told by Mr. Jun Juban, of Philippine Film Studios Inc., during the weekly
news forum at Annabel's restaurant in Quezon City.
The movie which will open in theatres sometime in August will showcase the
natural beauty of the Palawan Island which will be viewed by millions across the
globe, Juban said.
"The contingent, including the cast who visited the island, has been very
expressive with their awe and amazement," he further added.
The end part of the action-packed movie was shot in these places, because of
the captivating beauty of the islands in Palawan,he said. Also aerial night
shots of Manila and Makati will also be seen in the movie, and because of the
movie, he said tourism was definitely boosted.
Valerie Bariou plays Rachel Weisz's Stand-in for "Bourne
Legacy" Currently Being Filmed In The Philippines January 29, 2012 By
Matt
Former model Valerie Bariou has taken on the role of stand in stunt double
for Rachel Weisz in the new movie "The Bourne Legacy" which is currently being
filmed in Manila before moving on to Palawan for its second stage of filming in
the Philippines.
A role that had to be auditioned for and not handed over on a plate. At the
auditions they had asked questions about herself and her experiences before she
was allowed to meet the producers, director and other staff involved in the film
production. Screen testing soon followed before she was given the job. Irish
Lopez is also playing as a stunt double alongside Valerie.

Valerie said: "We were three at the final audition as stand-in for Rachel.
They wanted someone with similar height, built, and skin tone, who can follow
instructions well."

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-SB:

2012-02-14T19:03:00.001+10:00

Valerie said: "We were three at the final audition as stand-in for Rachel.
They wanted someone with similar height, built, and skin tone, who can follow
instructions well."

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-SB: THE NIGHT RALPH PROMISED TO MARRY VI 'A HUNDRED TIMES'

2012-02-14T19:02:00.001+10:00

THE NIGHT RALPH PROMISED TO MARRY VI
'A HUNDRED TIMES'

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (PHILSTAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo -
(PHOTO - Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and husband Sen. Ralph Recto: 26 years
together and going strong(er)
Although tired from the impeachment trial where he sits as one of the
senator-judges, Sen. Ralph Recto went home recently and found his wife, Batangas
Gov. Vilma Santos, fully made up having just attended a social function.
"Eh, ang ganda-ganda ko," Vi related to Funfare in an exclusive interview.
"Ralph hugged and kissed me at, walang exaggeration ha, he told me, 'You know
what, if I were given another chance to marry you, I will marry you a hundred
times!' Walang biro ha, nangyari talaga 'yon."
Asked how she reacted, Vi laughed. "I told him that I would say 'Yes!' a
hundred times."
It's Valentine's Day today but the couple isn't celebrating it because to
them every day is Valentine's Day.
"We don't celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb. 14," explained Vi. "Hindi kami
sumasabay sa iba because on the day itself the restaurants are full. We usually
mark the day by having dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. Actually, Valentine's
Day is just a reminder that you shouldn't take each other for granted."
Vi and Ralph have been married for 19 years. Add to that their going steady
for seven years and they've been together for 26 years.
"Up to now," she swore, "we still say 'I love you!' to each other every day,"
adding, "like what Ralph told me, hindi ko ipagpapalit kung anong mayroon ang
relasyon namin. That's why when he told me that he would marry me again a
hundred times, I didn't know how I should feel. Ginulat n'ya ako! Honestly, I
love Ralph more today than yesterday. Uy, parang linya ng kanta 'yon, a!
Hehehehe!"
Did "something unusual" happen that night?
"Kailangan ko pa ba ikuwento? Alam n'yo na 'yon," she said, laughing.
"You know, Ralph and I have no privacy whether at home in Manila or at our
vacation house in Batangas. So what we do is go abroad once or twice a year. At
least there, not many people recognize us kaya kahit paano may privacy kami.
Kung gusto naming maglambing-lambing sa poolside o kaya sa highway, okey lang.
But here, try doing that at naka-headline ka kaagad the next day. Abroad, I can
be a plain housewife. Like, I prepare Ralph's morning coffee. Change of
environment can help strengthen your marriage, di ba?"
Is it true that you also wash Ralph's briefs?
"Hmmmm, hindi pa ako umabot sa ganoon."
But Vi would never dare iron Ralph's shirt again.
"I did that once. While Ralph was out in the mall, I ironed his favorite
shirt and I burned it! I folded it and hid it under the bed. When he started
looking for it, I told him na hindi ko nakita. It was only when we were packing
our things when we were going home that he found the shirt. Sorry ako nang sorry
sa kanya."
That incident was an eye-opener for Vi.
"Just because you can iron your husband's shirt well, eh, good housewife ka
na; it's in how you respect your husband. Pag nagbigay ka ng respeto, respeto
rin 'yung ibabalik sa'yo. I think ang nagpapatibay sa inyo hindi 'yung ayusin mo
'yung gamit n'ya, kung hindi ang ibigay mo 'yung respeto sa kanya as your
partner."
Vi said that, unlike some couples, she and Ralph don't giver each other gifts
on Valentine's Day.
"Ralph is very thoughtful. Ako nga, sometimes nakakalimot pa, eh, so
pagpasensyahan n'yo na ako. He gives me little gifts even if there's no
occasion," like the diamond ring that he gave her during their family vacation
in Bangkok and Malaysia late last year. "On Valentine's Day, he never fails to
give me flowers, white roses which are my favorite. Pag gising ko, nandoon na sa
room namin ang flowers."
So Ralph is thoughtful. But is he, uhm, faithful?
"Oo naman! Do you think our marriage will last this long if he's not? But
that's not to say that Ralph is perfect. He's only human."
Asked what her Valentine message is not only to "my constituents in Batangas"
but to citizens of the world, Vi smiled.
"Give love to everybody with a smile. You wake up with a smile. Then, you
smile at the first person you see and if that person also smiles to the first
person he/she sees, the smile will travel from face to face until the whole
world is smiling. Gaganda ang mood ng lahat at gaganda ang feeling ng buong
mundo."
If only things happen as simply as that.
But then, it's Valentine's Day and we should smile along with Vi.
***
Oh no, not again!!!
Fill in the blanks:
Meanwhile, ____________'s public cheating scandals left his wife
"devastated," says the source close to her. "___________ was mortified that
______________'s infidelities became so public." After the breakup, adds the
source, "she started learning more and more (about ___________'s dalliances),
and it crushed her.
If you filled the blanks with Dr. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, you're wrong,
although that paragraph could apply to them, lifted from an article about Demi
Moore and Ashton Kutcher in a recent issue of People magazine.
The country's most talked-about May-December romance is in trouble again
after Hayden's alleged (hidden) romance with Nancy Castiglione surfaced in the
Internet. Of course, they denied it, with Nancy saying that her family is intact
and she's happy combining work (at a multi-national company?) and mothering her
twins, adding (I guess in jest) that she's sure that no video will come out
soon.
Oh no, not again!!! If Hayden is indeed "wandering" again, people can only
shake their heads and ask, "Hasn't he learned his lesson? Why is Vicki (still)
tolerating him?"
Before she left for L.A. Saturday night (without Hayden as originally
planned), Vicki issued the following statement:
It is over — I hope.
[PHOTO - Dr. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho: Is the May-December romance
really over because, according to rumors, of Nancy Castiglione
(inset)?]
Yes, we had been fighting about Nancy. I think it's true. I am letting him
go so that they don't have to be 'hiding-hiding' anymore. She doesn't have to
blame anybody. This was bound to happen because he is young.
Yes, we were in love but I am not ilusyonada to think it will be for life
given the age gap between us. I don't need to make a longer statement. I just
want people to stop picking on him. He was so good to me and made me so happy.

Sometimes, relationships just don't work out. It's sad but there's no one
to blame.
Some reactions of those close to the just "un-coupled":
• Nauntog na ba si Vicki?
• Will a suicide attempt hit the news again?
• Will Hayden be calling Vicki soon from a pineapple plantation somewhere in
Batangas?
OMG, what a way to spend Valentine's
Day!!!

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-P-NOY: IMPEACHMENT BID VS NOY DOWNPLAYED / PNoy MEDDLING IN CORONA TRIAL

2012-02-14T19:01:00.001+10:00

IMPEACHMENT BID VS NOY DOWNPLAYED / PNoy MEDDLING
IN CORONA TRIAL

[PHOTO - BELMONTE AND AQUINO]
MANILA, FEBRUARY
14,
2012 (PHILSTAR) By Paolo Romero - Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. yesterday downplayed efforts to file an impeachment
complaint against President Aquino by a taxpayer over an alleged fraudulent sale
of a government property in Baguio City.
Belmonte was commenting on the move of Danilo Lihaylihay, president of the
Philippine Association of Revenue Informers Inc., to have Aquino impeached for
allegedly committing "massive tax fraud" for the P500-million sale of the
3.4-hectare government property known as Governor's Park located along Session
Road in Baguio City.
In his affidavit-complaint, Lihaylihay said Aquino, along with Executive
Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Environment Secretary Ramon Paje and SM
Investments, "committed massive tax evasion fraud and graft and corrupt
practices through conspiracy and connivance" for failing to remit to the
government the taxes due resulting from the sale of the government property.
Lihaylihay wrote House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez asking him
to endorse the complaint so the impeachment process against Aquino can start.

But the Speaker said the President had nothing to do with the sale since the
transaction of selling the property to SM happened between the time of then
President Fidel Ramos and the completion of documentation in 2011. "This
(complaint) will not fly because it is baseless and unfounded. The President has
nothing to do with the transaction. The story was not true. The auction and
award were done in 1992 and the full payment was in 1997. The documentation was
completed in 2011," Belmonte said. Members of the minority bloc in the House of
Representatives held a closed door meeting yesterday to discuss Lihaylihay's
complaint.
After the meeting, Suarez said he was given the authority by opposition
lawmakers to study the complaint and decide whether it was worthy of
endorsement.
"We have to conduct some research on this. We need to communicate with
concerned agencies on this particular transaction. We have to study the
complaint carefully," Suarez told The STAR. Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep.
Lorenzo Tañada III said the complaint has "no basis and it will not prosper."
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said "any member of Congress or any citizen has
the right to file impeachment raps against certain officials in the government."

Lihaylihay had earlier accused former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo of plunder for the alleged illegal sale of the old Iloilo
airport. – With Artemio Dumlao
FROM ABS-CBN
PNoy: Peso accounts enough to convict Corona
ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 02/13/2012 10:32 PM | Updated as of
02/13/2012 11:08 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona's peso bank
accounts that were not reflected in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and
Net worth (SALNs) are enough for the Senate impeachment court to find him guilty
and remove him from office, President Benigno Aquino said on Monday.
"Doon pa lang sa na-unearth na peso accounts, malaki na ang diperensya na
mukhang napatunayan na iyung kaso," he said after a command conference with
officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Aquino said the differences in Corona's SALNs and cash in bank accounts can
prove Article 2 of the impeachment complaint.
Article 2 accuses Corona of not truthfully disclosing his SALNs as required
by the Constitution.
Corona had a total bank balance of P19,728,555.39 from 2 peso accounts in
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) as of end-December 2010, records from the bank
showed last Wednesday.
Corona also had a total bank balance of P12 million in a Bank of the
Philippine Islands (BPI) checking account as of December 31, 2010, bringing to
P31,752,623.09 his cash in 3 accounts from 2 different banks as of the end of
2010.
These bank balances are much higher than the P3.5 million cash and
investments he declared in his SALN for 2010.
Various documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Registrars of
Deeds in cities where the Coronas have real properties also show discrepancies
between his actual properties and what he declared in his SALNs.
Aquino believes the prosecution will have other avenues to secure other
relevant data related to the impeachment complaint.
'Defense losing confidence'
When asked about the defense's allegation that the Palace is offering a P100
million bribe to each senator-judge, Aquino said the defense team may be losing
confidence in themselves.
"Noong araw wala nang nagawa kung hindi laitin ang prosecution panel. Ngayon
para bang nawalan sila ng tiwala sa kakayahan nilang lampasuin ang ating mga
prosecutors," Aquino said.
He added he will not give dignity to the defense's allegation by commenting
further on the issue. "Di ko na siguro bibigyan ng dignidad ang kanilang mga
akusasyon."
He reminded the defense lawyers to present proof when making an accusation. -
report from Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News
FROM BLOGGER GETREALPHILIPPINES.COM
President Noynoy Aquino meddling in Corona impeachment trial
February 13, 2012 By Ilda
President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) released yet another disturbing
statement when he voiced his disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision to
grant the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Senate impeachment court
order compelling PSbank to release records on foreign currency accounts
allegedly belonging to impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Considering PNoy insisted that he took no part in the decision to impeach the
Chief Justice, why does he feel the need to help the prosecution by meddling in
the proceedings of the impeachment court?
House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez could not help but notice
that the President is throwing his weight around again and had "blatantly and
carelessly displayed his gang-lord mentality."
As usual, the President gave lame reasons behind his challenging Chief
Justice Corona into disclosing the said account. He "dared Corona to voluntarily
open his dollar accounts to scrutiny to prove he had nothing to hide."
But why should he? Even House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep.
Milagros Magsaysay found it ridiculous that PNoy expects the Chief Justice to
incriminate himself.
No one in his right mind will incriminate himself," Magsaysay said.
"The burden of proof is with the accusers, and so far they have been bungling
and messing up their cause.
"The President and his cohorts know deep in their hearts that the purported
pieces of bank evidence against the chief justice were illegally acquired, and
therefore are questionable, toxic documents with no probative value and that are
inadmissible in court."
What PNoy is asking is akin to saying, "I want to prove you are corrupt but
you have to give me some evidence." And as mentioned before, the presentation of
Corona's alleged dollar accounts and his existing peso accounts are not covered
by the articles of impeachment. The impeachment court resolved earlier that the
evidence for Article 2.4 would be disallowed. Article 2.4 pertains to the
alleged "ill-gotten wealth" of the Chief Justice.
PNoy and his mouthpieces in the media also insinuated that Chief Justice
Corona is hiding behind the law. Never mind that it was PSbank that sought the
TRO from the Supreme Court.
It seems that to PNoy, any move even by private institutions that appear to
favor PNoy's political enemies is seen as a desperate act of hiding the "truth".
Likewise, he implied that PSBank could be protecting people who are into money
laundering and other criminal activities when he said that "laws protecting
foreign currency accounts from undue scrutiny were not meant to protect
criminals and their loot stashed as dollar deposits in the country's banks."

PNoy asked another head scratcher when he threw the question "Can persons who
did something wrong place the proceeds of their crimes into a dollar account?"
As if he is not even aware that some people are already doing that.
I personally think that he should refrain from thinking aloud specially in
front of the media because what comes out tends to show just how clueless he is.
Obviously, some people are already using that loophole in the law.
But one can't assume that just because someone has a dollar account he or she
is already hiding something. Speaking of dollar accounts, on Friday Malacañang
refused to divulge PNoy's dollar accounts. If PNoy doesn't want to show his, how
can he expect others to show theirs?
In trying to convince the public that issuing a TRO against the disclosure of
the alleged dollar accounts was wrong, PNoy also mentioned that it could have an
impact on the economy.
His statement is another indication that his views about the economy seem
quite limited. When he acknowledged that the law could encourage depositors, he
should have already realized that it would be good for the economy.
The President of the Philippines should know that "the exemption of the
foreign currency deposits from attachment, garnishment or any other order
process of any court is to assure the development and speedy growth of the
Foreign Currency Deposit System and the Offshore Banking System in the
Philippines; another reason is to encourage the inflow of foreign currency
deposits into the banking institutions thereby placing such institutions more in
a position to properly channel the same to loans and investments in the
Philippines, thus directly contributing to the economic development of the
country."
Another point the chief executive tried to make was when he cited that in
1989, the Supreme Court decided to allow the disclosure of Greg Bartelli y
Northcott's dollar account in his trial for the rape of then 12 year-old Karen
Salvacion. First of all, it is worth stressing that it was the Supreme Court,
not an Impeachment Court, who decided to allow it; and second, PNoy conveniently
forgot to mention that R.A. 6426 was held to be "inapplicable" to that case
because of its "peculiar circumstances." Here is the final transcript of the
ruling:
R.A. 6426 are hereby held to be INAPPLICABLE to this case because of its
peculiar circumstances. Respondents are hereby REQUIRED to COMPLY with the writ
of execution issued in Civil Case No. 89-3214, Karen Salvacion, et al. vs. Greg
Bartelli y Northcott, by Branch CXLIV, RTC Makati and to RELEASE to petitioners
the dollar deposit of respondent Greg Bartelli y Northcott in such amount as
would satisfy the judgment.
The reason why it was peculiar was because the suspect, an American tourist
escaped from jail and after "hearing the testimony of Karen, the Court
[believed] that it was undoubtedly a shocking and traumatic experience", which
required compensation.
Obviously, the decision of the Supreme Court in the Salvacion case in 1989
cannot be applied to the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona now because
the latter hasn't been found guilty or liable for any damages yet.
What's disturbing in PNoy's meddling is when he said that the "Palace was
considering appealing the TRO on the basis the Supreme Court may not interfere
in impeachment proceedings."
Again, the President's minders need to remind him that he cannot interpret
the law the way he wants to because the Supreme Court is the sole and final
interpreter of the law. Otherwise, he is just confirming to the public the
allegations that he is the main instigator in the bid to oust Chief Justice
Corona.

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-HL: PNoy TRYING TO BUY SENATE TO DEFY TRO / MIRIAM: SECRECY OF FOREIGN DEPOSITS ABSO

2012-02-14T18:56:00.001+10:00

PNoy TRYING TO BUY SENATE TO DEFY TRO
/ MIRIAM: SECRECY OF FOREIGN DEPOSITS ABSOLUTE

[Photo
- (From left) Lawyers Tranquil Salvador 3rd, Jose Roy 3rd, Ramon Esguerra and
Dennis Manalo face the media on to reveal President Benigno Aquino 3rd's alleged
bribery attempt. PHOTO BY RUY
MARTINEZ]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (MANILA TIMES) Written by : JEFFERSON
ANTIPORDA, JOMAR CANLAS REPORTERS AND RITCHIE A. HORARIO CORRESPONDENT

LAWYERS for Chief Justice Renato Corona on Sunday slammed President Benigno
Aquino 3rd for his alleged attempt to influence senators by offering them P100
million in exchange for their vote to defy a temporary restraining order (TRO)
issued by the Supreme Court stopping the Senate impeachment court from opening
the dollar accounts of the chief magistrate.
The defense panel showed up in full force for a press briefing at Club
Filipino in San Juan City (Metro Manila) Sunday evening, where they revealed the
alleged attempt by President Aquino to bribe the senators. According to them, a
source who they refused to identify revealed the bribery attempt.
The lawyers said that the President reportedly ordered Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa Jr. to call senators to inform them of the offer—P100 million for
them to vote not to honor the TRO.
"Our expectation is within this week maglalabas ng P100 million per senator,
hindi ko alam kung totoo ito pero 'yun ang figure na ipinaabot sa amin para
ibasura yung TRO [within this week they will release P100 million for each
senator. I don't know if this is true but that's the figure for them to junk the
TRO]," defense lawyer Jose Roy 3rd disclosed.
Roy said that the source told them that members of the impeachment court are
complaining that they are being approached by Malacañang to seek their vote to
junk the Supreme Court ruling.
The High Tribunal last week granted a request of a Philippine Savings Bank
(PSBank) to issue a TRO against the order of the impeachment court to present
bank records of Corona's dollar accounts.
But members of the defense panel said that they remain optimistic that the
senators will choose to uphold the Constitution and will not allow themselves to
be swayed by the offer of Malacañang.
Lawyer Ramon Esguerra said that it will be up to the senators to decide
whether to compel the witness or even the branch manager of PSBank to present
the bank records because they believe that the backlash will not necessary be on
the case of the Chief Justice alone.
"There is a big possibility that the repercussions will also be felt by the
banks, the depositors and even the economy," Esguerra added.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson branded the claim of the defense panel as "pure rubbish."

He said that it is unfair and even contemptuous to preempt the senators who
are yet to discuss the matter in a caucus today.
"As one senator who has consistently refused his P200-million' pork barrel
'allocation year after year, I categorically declare that what the defense team
said about the P100-million offer to the senator-judges is pure rubbish."
Sen. Antonio Trillanes also denied the allegation.
Impeachable A former senator also on Sunday condemned the President for
ordering members of the Senate to defy the Supreme Court and warned that Mr.
Aquino himself could be impeached for such act.
Francisco Tatad said that meddling in the affairs of the Senate impeachment
court and the Supreme Court is an impeachable offense and a clear showing of the
President's "ignorance of the law."
Tatad noted that the President's disregard of an order issued by the highest
court of the land could trigger a constitutional crisis.
"This is the hardest thing to say, and I may not be forgiven for saying it,
but someone will have to say it here and now, or elsewhere or later, that by
this very act, [Mr. Aquino] may have rendered himself completely impeachable and
unfit to continue in office. He may have placed himself not just above the law
but against the law, the exact opposite of what a President should be," he said
in a statement.
"A President may honestly err in failing to understand the law and its
commands. But no President should ever inveigh against the law, and ask other
government officials to defy the law or an order of the highest court, based on
its interpretation of the law, just because he does not like or agree with it,"
Tatad added.
He disclosed that some senators admitted that they had received calls from
Ochoa Jr., who relayed an "urgent personal request from the President" for them
to disregard the restraining order so that dollar accounts of Supreme Court
Chief Justice Renato Corona could be disclosed to the public and pin him down.

"This suggests a constitutional crime of incalculable magnitude, given the
President's oath of office—"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and
conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and
defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man and
consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God."
Tatad called on the Senate to stop the impeachment proceedings.
"As some senator-judges threaten to turn [ Corona's] Senate impeachment trial
into an inquisition, and [Mr. Aquino] tries to undermine its integrity by his
continued public attacks on the respondent, the Senate may have to terminate the
trial in midstream, if only to preserve its honor and whatever remains of the
separation of powers," he said.
"Should the trial continue, no one would ever know whether a senator-judge
would vote to convict because he/she believes that Corona is guilty or simply
because he/she has been coerced or intimidated by the President," Tatad added.

Recently, he quarreled with Sen. Franklin Drilon, who was perceived to be
"lawyering" for the prosecutors.
Coup rumors As the Senate continues with the impeachment trial of Corona
today, rumors of a possible coup to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile are
again circulating.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto 3rd on Sunday admitted that he had heard
the rumors about a move by certain senators to unseat Enrile so that they could
control the impeachment court.
Sotto, however, could not confirm the veracity of the rumors.
Enrile, also acting as the presiding officer in the impeachment proceedings,
has earned recognition and admiration because of his fairness in his rulings and
his wide knowledge of the rules of evidence and the rules of court.
The Senate chief, though, became emotional when some of the senator-judges
questioned one of his rulings and subjected it to a vote. He has also expressed
willingness to vacate the position if his colleagues want him to be replaced.

Honor TRO The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) over the weekend urged
the senator-judges to respect the temporary restraining order.
"The power of the Supreme Court of judicial review over acts of Congress
applies whether the Senate is acting as legislature or impeachment court. The
Constitution has not made any distinction," the IBP, through Dennis Habawel,
spokesman and Northern Luzon governor, said.
"The SC [Supreme Court] issued the TRO upon its expanded power of judicial
review in connection with the issue of whether Congress may violate its own law
when acting as impeachment court," he added.
FROM THE MANILA BULLETIN
Secrecy Of Foreign Deposits Absolute – Miriam By
ROLLY T. CARANDANG February 13, 2012, 8:10pm
MANILA, Philippines — The law on secrecy of foreign currency deposits
describes this secrecy to be "absolute," except only and when depositor
consents.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago stressed this Monday as she voted to respect
the Supreme Court temporary restraining order (TRO) on the disclosure of the
foreign currency deposits of impeached Chief Justice Renato C. Corona.
Congress made this law (secrecy of foreign currency deposits). The lawmakers
should not be the lawbreakers, she stated.
Santiago also said the impeachment court is not more supreme than the Supreme
Court.
"Obedience to the TRO preserves government stability, while disobedience
precipitates a constitutional crisis. If we have a choice between stability and
crisis, the wiser choice is always national stability," said Santiago in her
letter to Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III.
Santiago voted to respect the TRO based on the ideology that the impeachment
court is not almighty, not absolute, not illimitable, and not more supreme than
the SC.
The lady senator said the impeachment court is not authorized to violate the
law.
Explaining her vote in the Senate caucus Monday, Santiago said: "In the
present impeachment case, it is the Senate which has the last clear chance to
avoid a crisis, by obeying the TRO."
Under the Constitution, Santiago said, the judicial power is vested in the
Supreme Court. This judicial power has two components and these are: Justiciable
questions, which the Court defines as "actual controversies involving rights
which are legally demandable and enforceable"; and political questions, which
the Constitution defines as "grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction."
She explained that the "political question doctrine" no longer applies under
the 1987 Constitution. "Under this discarded doctrine, a court should refuse to
decide an issue involving the exercise of discretionary power by the executive
or legislative branch of government."
"Assuming that the power to issue subpoena concerning foreign currency
deposits is discretionary with the impeachment court, still the Supreme Court
has power over this political question," added Santiago.
Instead, the lawmakers should, if necessary, amend the law, she further
explained.
But when the impeachment court obeys the Supreme Court TRO, Santiago said,
this does not mean that one is superior over the other. It merely means that the
Constitution is supreme over all branches and agencies of the government.
Santiago clarified, however, that this does not mean that the Supreme Court
has the power of judicial review over all constitutional questions. It only
means that the SC cannot exercise full judicial review, but it retains the power
of the most minimal judicial review. This is a result of the theory of checks
and balances, she said.
Santiago also cited two cases wherein the SC ruled that it has the power of
judicial review over impeachment cases.
The two cases are: Francisco v. Nagmamalasakit, 415 SCRA 44 (2003) and
Gutierrez v. House of Representatives, 643 SCRA 198 (2011).
The Francisco case involved the filing of the second impeachment complaint
against Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. The Supreme Court ruled: "The
Constitution did not leave the matter of impeachment to the sole discretion of
Congress – it provided for certain well-defined limits or "judicially
discoverable standards" for determining the validity of the exercise of such
discretion, through the power of judicial review."
In the case of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, she cited the SC ruling
that stated:"The Court finds it well within its power to determine whether
public respondent committed a violation of the Constitution or gravely abused
its discretion in the exercise of the functions and prerogatives that could
translate as lack or excess of jurisdiction, which would force corrective
measures from the Court."

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: NOY'S PCOO CHIEF HONKING CONVOY, WANG-WANG IN NEAR TRAFFIC MISHAP

2012-02-14T18:54:00.001+10:00

NOY'S PCOO CHIEF HONKING CONVOY,
WANG-WANG IN NEAR TRAFFIC MISHAP

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (TRIBUNE) Coloma says sorry, explains his
side on 'wang-wang' trip - Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. has cleared the air on the controversy surrounding
the near-mishap that was caused by "wang-wang (siren)-honking convoys"
accompanying him on his way to a speaking engagement in San Mateo, Rizal
province last Friday.
Coloma yesterday denied there was a convoy of "wang-wang-honking cars" with
him while on his way to what he claimed as a speaking engagement at the
Timberland Heights mountain estate in San Mateo town.
He, however, admitted that there were two, not three motorcycle units, that
served as his guide.
"Let me put emphasis that I am not saying Mr. Nocum was wrong in his claim.
Allow me to share a few points from my perspective. First, I was not in a
convoy. I was riding in my assigned official vehicle: a black Starex van with
plate number RRH 202 as he reported. I had not brought with me any other
vehicle. Secondly, my vehicle does not have a siren or blinkers. My driver
simply used hazard lights. Third, I was not aware that sirens were used by the
two motorcycle escorts riding in front of my vehicle. I only heard them using
their horns intermittently but not continuously especially in that brief stretch
of Barangay Ampid in San Mateo which was a narrow and busy thoroughfare.
"When my vehicle passed that area in Barangay Ampid, I did not anymore hear
the use of motorcycle horns. ? I was also not aware that there was another
motorcycle rider tailing my vehicle as I was preoccupied preparing for my speech
while monitoring what was happening in front of my vehicle," Coloma told the
Tribune.
He explained that the motorcycle units, which had "OPSS," which stands for
the Office of Public Safety and Security, markings on their black shirts, were
from the San Mateo Police. He denied asking for motorcycle escorts, adding the
riders fetched him in Barangay Ampid.
"On Friday, 10 February, at around 6:30 p.m., while on my way to a speaking
engagement, I was provided by the San Mateo police with two motorcycle escorts,"
the Palace official said in a statement sent to the Tribune through email.
He added it was only Saturday afternoon that he was informed that his road
travel along Gen. Luna St. in San Mateo nearly caused mishap.
"It was only yesterday (Saturday) I learned that the motorcycle escorts
accompanying my official vehicle caused another vehicle to swerve. This incident
caused undue stress and anxiety to the occupants of the vehicle, Mr. Armand
Nocum, his wife and their infant child," Coloma added.
He added he would have politely declined the motorcycle units that were
offered to him by the local police had he known that it would unduly cause
raucous traffic.
Coloma also averred that he has also made a call to former Inquirer reporter
Armand Nocum, who was with his family at the time Coloma's vehicle and "supposed
escorts and motorcycle units" were traversing Gen. Luna St. in San Mateo.
Nocum confirmed that Coloma indeed called him to apologize.
Coloma added he has already asked the San Mateo police to require the two
policemen who served as his escorts to render an account of the incident so that
proper remedial measures may be adopted. Fernan J. Angeles

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: SENATE RESPECTS SC TRO / IMPEACH COURT HONORS TRO ON CJ $ ACCOUNTS

2012-02-14T18:53:00.001+10:00

SENATE RESPECTS SC TRO / IMPEACH
COURT HONORS TRO ON CJ $ ACCOUNTS
MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Christina Mendez - Voting
13-10, the Senate sitting as an impeachment court yesterday ruled to respect the
temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) to prevent
the opening of Chief Justice Renato Corona's foreign currency accounts with
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank).
The SC lauded the Senate's decision, saying it had expected that the TRO
would be respected.
Those who voted to respect the TRO were Senators Joker Arroyo,
Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Manuel Villar, Ralph Recto, Francis Escudero, Aquilino
Pimentel III, Loren Legarda, Gregorio Honasan, Bong Revilla, Ferdinand Marcos
Jr., Vicente Sotto III, Jinggoy Estrada, and Senate President Juan Ponce
Enrile.
Those who voted to defy the TRO were Senators Franklin Drilon,
Sergio Osmeña III, Edgardo Angara, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Antonio
Trillanes, Lito Lapid, Teofisto Guingona III, and siblings Alan Peter and Pia
Cayetano.
Despite the impeachment court's ruling, the Senate asserted that it has the
sole and exclusive jurisdiction to try and decide all impeachment cases.
"This is very clear under paragraph 6, Section 3 of Article 11 of the 1987
Constitution," Enrile said.
"After a deliberation on the issue, the majority of this court has decided to
respect the TRO dated 09 Feb. 2012 issued by the SC in the case filed by the
PSBank insofar as the foreign currency deposit accounts are concerned," the
impeachment body's ruling read.
Enrile said the body "will respect the TRO of the court as far as deposits
falling under RA 6426 but not under RA 1405, which refers to local currency
deposits because of the exception they contain."
Nevertheless, he said the "Senate, acting as an impeachment court, is
prepared to argue its case on the merits and to defend the legal and public
policy basis underlying its ruling about the said subpoenas."
Enrile noted that each member of the court had reached a decision after
almost four hours of closed-door caucus from 11 a.m. to about 3 p.m.
He said each member explained his or his position before the vote was taken.

No votes explained
Minority Leader Alan Cayetano said he did not get P100 million for projects
but had a hundred million reasons to vote to defy the SC TRO, referring to
allegations by the defense team in Sunday's press conference that the Palace had
been calling senators to vote against the TRO.
Senators Cayetano and Francis Pangilinan said they will submit written
explanations on the issue.
"The impeachment court is as high or as equal as the Supreme Court," Cayetano
argued, reiterating that matters pertaining to impeachment should be left with
the impeachment court.
Sen. Pia Cayetano said if she had a choice, she would not have wanted the
issue to be put to a vote. But she chose to cast her vote defying the TRO,
citing the case of Nixon vs. United States, where the criminal trial already
called for judicial supremacy of the impeachment court.
However, Enrile disagreed with the lady senator, saying this is different in
the case of the Philippines "because we have a different system of government."

Senator Trillanes said the issue is not a constitutional crisis, but a moral
crisis.
"On one hand, the Supreme Court, which through their TRO, threw the concept
of judicial restraint out of the window and intervened in the affairs of the
Senate as an impeachment court to protect and cover up for one of their own. On
the other hand, the Senate, which is merely performing their mandate, is clearly
defined by the Constitution," he said.
Yes votes
Senator Escudero said the senator-judges cannot speak about high moral
authority if the Senate body itself would violate the law.
"Mr. President, when we speak of morality and doing what is right I'm of the
firm belief that in our search for the truth this does not in any way give us
any right to violate the law," Escudero said.
In voting with the majority, he said he believes that the SC's TRO is wrong
but the place to slug it out is not here but before the Supreme Court.
"In the search of truth, the impeach body should not tolerate violating the
law as many others, who had wantonly violated them. We have no license to break
the law and not to respect the order of the Supreme Court," Escudero said.
Santiago, on the other hand, noted that in the last clear chance doctrine,
"obedience to the TRO preserves governmental stability, while disobedience
precipitates a constitutional crisis.
"If we have a choice between stability and crisis, the wiser choice is always
national stability," she said.
Santiago also argued that the case of Nixon vs. United States cannot be cited
in the Corona case because "the US Court has no provision similar to ours."
"If we do not recognize the Supreme Court, who are we? How much judicial
review can we give (the SC)? Those are the nightmares of someone who does not
know the judicial process," Santiago said, without naming names.
Estrada, in explaining his yes vote, noted that his family was a victim of
the past administration for not upholding the rule of law during the case of his
father, former President Joseph Estrada.
Estrada said there were times that he or his family may not always be on the
good side of the decisions of the courts, but "we have always respected the
decision of the Court whether it is adverse or not."
He said the Aquino administration cannot afford to be saddled by a
constitutional crisis as a result of defiance of the SC order.
Legarda echoed that the Senate has the sole discretion over the impeachment
trial, but the action of the Senate does not give the SC jurisdiction over the
impeachment court.
Villar, on the other hand, expressed belief that the country's economy would
be at stake if the Senate would defy the SC ruling.
A real estate businessman, Villar noted that the foreign currency deposits in
the country now amount to $31 million or P1.3 billion.
SC: We expect impeachment court to comply
Speaking at a press conference, SC spokesman Midas Marquez said he believes
that the decision of the Senate could dispel fears of a possible constitutional
crisis.
"I foresee that hearings will proceed, and defense will continue to represent
the CJ. There are a number of issues that the impeachment court should tackle,"
he said.
As for the issue on whether or not the decision to respect the TRO already
means the Senate was submitting to the jurisdiction of the SC, Marquez said it
is still best to wait for the comment of the Senate as required by the high
court.
He said it does not necessarily mean that the Senate was already conceding
the SC was superior: "It was an interlocutory order of the Senate and therefore
it was questioned before the SC. This order by SC is just a TRO, an initial
order and not decision on the merits. Just the same, we welcome the Senate
vote."
Marquez said congressmen should likewise "take cue from the voting of the
senators" in their reported plan to initiate impeachment of eight justices who
voted for the issuance of the temporary restraining order on the petition of
PSBank.
Prosecution warns of another TRO
The House prosecutors said they are unfazed by the Senate ruling but
expressed apprehension on the possibility of another TRO stopping the
impeachment trial altogether.
"We were saddened by the Senate impeachment tribunal decision but we accept
and respect their decision," Quezon Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said in a
press conference.
Tañada said he is confident that the evidence they have already presented
before the impeachment court were enough to convict Corona of betrayal of public
trust.
However, he lamented that the non-disclosure of Corona's dollar accounts
"failed to complete the whole story."
Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo said he is worried that there is a
possibility of another TRO, which might be issued by the SC in favor of Corona.

"What happens if another TRO is issued on the petition of the Chief Justice
which effectively is based on setting aside and declaring all the proceedings
starting Dec. 12 all the way to Jan.16 up to today has been null and void, that
is our fear," Quimbo said.
"This particular TRO is a trial balloon for another TRO which the SC might
actually issue on the petition of CJ," he said.
However, he expressed belief that the Senate impeachment decision yesterday
does not indicate how the senator-judges will be voting on whether or not to
convict Corona.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, who is supervising the prosecution
panel, said even without Corona's dollar deposits being examined, prosecutors
have enough evidence to prove that the Chief Justice did not declare a large
part of his wealth in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

"We consider the evidence to be very strong to warrant conviction. The
contents of CJ Corona's peso accounts with PSBank and BPI (Bank of Philippine
Islands) would suffice," he said.
He said the House prosecution team led by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. has
shown in last week's trial that Corona had nearly P20 million in two PSBank
accounts and P12 million in BPI as of Dec. 31, 2010.
He said Corona did not declare the bulk of those deposits in his 2010 SALN as
he reported "cash and investments" amounting only to P3.5 million.
Gonzales said that aside from failing to declare his bank deposits, Corona
did not declare his P14.5-million Bellagio penthouse in Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig, another condo unit in Bonifacio Ridge also in Global City, and his condo
at The Columns in Makati City in his SALNs for the years during which they were
acquired.
They were declared only in 2010, five years to six years after the Bonifacio
Ridge and The Columns condo units were purchased and a year after the Bellagio 1
penthouse was acquired, he added.
Gonzales urged Corona to agree to the opening of his dollar deposits "now and
not later."
"His lawyers claim he would open those accounts in due time. What better time
to expose those accounts than now when the impeachment court and the public want
to know how much those accounts hold in dollars," he said.
Palace remains confident
Meanwhile, Malacañang maintained that it fully understands the Senate's
decision to abide by the SC's freeze order, but warned that the issue is not yet
over because they have "much more evidence to ensure conviction."
"The truth will emerge. The issues remain joined. There is much more evidence
to present. There are many more fights left before the day of judgment comes,"
presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
He said they cannot fault the Senate for deciding to comply with the TRO.

"Surely the intention of the Senate is not to embolden those with ill-gotten
wealth, to salt away their funds in foreign currency accounts," he said.
President Aquino, speaking at the Philippine National Police's command
conference in Quezon City, said he remains confident that the prosecution could
ferret out the truth through other venues.
"Is that the endpoint? There are other avenues that I think the spokespersons
of the prosecuting team can highlight as to how we will be able to secure the
relevant data," Aquino said, adding that the prosecutors seems to have proven
the case already "from the mere unearthing of the peso accounts."
Lacierda, on the other hand, pointed out that one thing remains clear – that
Corona had not been truthful to details he declared in the SALNs he filed, as he
concealed properties and bank accounts.
"The evidence thus far presented shows that the Chief Justice has not
rendered a faithful accounting of his assets and liabilities. As more evidence
of this nature is produced, it can only underscore how the Chief Justice
willfully broke the law," he said. – Aurea Calica, Delon
Porcalla, Edu Punay, Helen Flores, Jess Diaz
Impeach court honors TRO on Corona's dollar
accounts By Angie M. Rosales 02/14/2012
The Senate impeachment court upheld the temporary restraining order (TRO)
that the Supreme Court issued on the dollar accounts of Chief Justice Renato
Corona with the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank).
Senators sitting as judges in the impeachment court, voted 13-10 to heed the
TRO with a qualification that the Senate court reserves the right to argue with
the high tribunal its authority to issue subpoenaes on the records of the dollar
accounts.
"Thirteen members of the court opted to respect the TRO issued by the SC on
this particular issue regarding the matter raised by PSBank with respect to the
alleged foreign currency deposit of the respondent in that bank," Enrile, who is
the presiding officer of the impeachment court, said.
PSBank sought the intervention of the high tribunal after the bank, through
its president Pascual Garcia III, was compelled by the impeachment court last
week to disclose details about Corona's purported dollar deposits, supposedly
being maintained in PSBank's Katipunan branch in Quezon City in the caleged
amount of $700,000.
"The Senate asserts that it has the sole and exclusive jurisdiction to try
and decide in impeachment cases, all impeachment cases. This is very clear under
paragraph 6, section 3 of Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution," Enrile added.

"After a deliberation on the issue, the majority of this court, has decided
to respect the TRO dated 09 Feb., 2012 issued by the SC in the case filed by the
PSBank insofar as the foreign currency deposit accounts are concerned, meaning
that we will respect the TRO of the court as far as deposits falling under R.A.
6426 (Foreign Currency Deposits Act) but not under RA 1405, or the Bank Secrecy
Law, which refers to local currency deposits because of the exception there
contained," he added.
Enrile added that, nevertheless, the Senate reserves the right to vigorously
defend before the SC the issuance of the subpoenas on the foreign currency
accounts.
"The Senate acting as an impeachment court in the trial of the honorable
Chief Justice Renato Corona of the SC is prepared to argue its case on the
merits and to defend the legal and public policy basis underlying its ruling
about the said subpoenas," Enrile said.
Emerging from almost a four-hour closed door caucus before the resumption of
the trial proceedings, Enrile read the ruling that members of the impeachment
tribunal reached following a deliberations on the matter, with Majority Leader
Vicente Sotto III reporting the names of those who voted to obey the SC's TRO.

They are Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Manuel Villar,
Ralph Recto, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Loren
Legarda, Gregorio Honasan, Ramon "Bong" Revillar Jr., Ferdinand "Bongbong"
Marcos Jr., Sotto, Jinggoy Estrada and Enrile.
Those who voted against it were Senators Franklin Drilon, Alan Peter
Cayetano, Sergio Osmena III, Edgardo Angara, Panfilo Lacson, Pia Cayetano,
Francis Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manuel "Lito" Lapid and Teofisto "TG"
Guingona III.
In the middle of Thursday's proceedings, Enrile moved to halt any discussion
before the impeachment court the issue of Corona's alleged dollar deposits
immediately after being told of the issuance of the TRO by the SC.
"When that news reached this presiding officer, he made an appeal that we
take heed of the order of of the highest court of the land," Enrile said before
reading the ruling they made.
As a number of his colleagues suggested and advanced the opinion that the SC
cannot exercise its authority on judicial review or its jurisdiction over the
impeachment court's proceedings, Enrile said he opted to submit the matter to
the consideration of all the senator-judges and which was thoroughly discussed
during their caucus.
Senator-judges took turns in explaining their respective reasons for their
votes with those for and against the matter of obeying the high court's order
taking a strong stance for the position they have taken.
Guingona claimed it's frustrating that the high court is being barred from
uncovering the truth on the allegations which the House prosecution panel
claimed are among the purported undisclosed wealth of the chief magistrate.
"Since the TRO is only temporary and for the meantime only, there is no great
damage to be suffered from respecting it only for the meantime only. And in that
meantime, the Senate will also vigorously defend its sole power to try and
decide impeachment cases before the SC. The matter of jurisdiction will be
raised by the Senate before the SC," Pimentel said.
Escudero said that while he was among those who voted to subpoena bank
records of Corona, including those pertaining to foreign accounts and believed
that the issuance of a TRO is wrong, he is of the position that slugging it out
with the high tribunal should not take place in the impeachment court but in the
SC.
Trillanes voted not to abide (to the SC's TRO). We, the graduates of PMA
(Philippine Military Academy) are not taught to be saints and we don't even
pretend to be self-righteous. We have been trained to seek a moral high ground,"
Trillanes said.
Cayetano, on the other hand, cited a case involving the Nixon impeachment
case in which the United States' SC acknowledged the jurisdiction of the
impeachment court.
"I agree with what you stated but those pronouncements and decisions are
based on the US federal government. They're unlike the provisions of our
constitution and I'm sure if those scholars and judges would have decided the
cases in the light of the present constitution, I am not sure if they will make
the same pronouncements," Enrile said.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said she voted to obey the SC TRO on the
foreign currency deposits of the Chief Justice, on six grounds based on the
ideology that the impeachment court is not almighty, not absolute, not
illimitable, and not more supreme than the Supreme Court, among which are the
last clear chance doctrine in which obedience to the TRO preserves governmental
stability, while disobedience precipitates a constitutional crisis. If we have a
choice between stability and crisis, the wiser choice is always national
stability; and judicial power includes both justiciable questions and political
questions;
She said the "political question doctrine" no longer applies under the 1987
Constitution."
Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay, meawnhile, said the Senate impeachment
tribunal should mull the enforcement of a gag order on both the panels of
prosecution and defense against holding press conferences while the impeachment
trial is in session but added that Malacañang should stop meddling in the
impeachment process.
This was the reaction of the lawmaker following the defense team's press
conference held over the weekend accusing Malacañang of influencing senator
judges to defy the TRO passed by the Supreme Court barring the disclosure the
contents of Corona's dollar account for the trial.
"If the reports are true, then PNoy's men should stop using their influence
on their allies in the Senate as they did with their allies in Congress. If
their evidence is strong, then they should be able to prove the alleged guilt of
the Chief Justice based on evidence that is permissible in court and not cast
aspersions on information that they have yet to see," Magsaysay said.
The Senate court's decision to honor the TRO was meant to keep Chief Justice
Renato Corona's defense lawyers from staging a walk out from the proceedings, a
top Palace official said.
"The Senate's decision closes the door on the defense walking out of the
proceedings and heads off any attempt to entice the Supreme Court to put an end
to the impeachment trial. From the very start, the defense has maneuvered to
give the impression that a constitutional crisis is inevitable. They no longer
have a pretext to make this claim", presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
said.
An unfazed Malacanang likewise remains confident that the House prosecution
panel would still be able to pin down Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona
despite the setback it got.
In a press statement farmed out to the Palace reporters shortly after
learning of the results of the Senate caucus, Lacierda said that they would
respect the decision of the Senate acting as impeachment court while reiterating
its belief on the Senate impeachment court's ability to weigh evidences against
Chief Justice Corona.
The Palace mouthpiece added that the presented evidences alone is already
sufficient to pin down Corona on the aspect of his "unfaithful accounting of his
assets", as required by the law.
The prosecution panel predictably lamented the decision of the Senate
impeachment court.
According to the prosecution panel's spokespersons, the Supreme Court does
not have anything to do with the impeachment process even as they said that
they, now, would have to contend with the peso accounts, which is in itself
already very damaging to the chief justice.
They said that the law on the secrecy of the dollar bank accounts should be
amended, Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada said in a press conference yesterday, adding
that the impeachable officials could use the law to hide illegally gotten
wealth.
Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, for his part, said that the bank secrecy law is
lopsided in favor of the dollar accounts as there are more exceptions for
disclosure in the case of peso accounts than that of dollar accounts.
Sen. Lito Lapid, a dyed in the wool supporter of former President Gloria
Arroyo was a sore thumb during yesterday's vote in the senate over whether to
honor the TRO issued by the Supreme Court stopping the presentation of
confidential dollar bank accounts supposedly belonging to Corona.
Lapid voted along with the pro palace camp in the senate not to honor the TRO
and came a day after the defense panel held a press briefing claiming that
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa approached lawmakers urging them to ignore the
SC TRO.
Sources in the defense panel however said that Lapid's change of heart could
be more penal than pecuniary. "Let us remember that there are plunder charges
pending before the Office of the Ombudsman by Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio against
Lapid, his son Philippine Tourism Authority General Manager Mark Lapid, and
three others over an alleged quarry scam."
Meanwhile Court administrator Midas Marquez says the high court welcomed the
vote of the high court to honor the TRO issued by the SC in favor of PSBank.

"The Court welcomes vote taken by senate. The information I received is that
Senate received the TRO before 2 pm this afternoon. It was an order issued byh
the court. The court is actually expecting it will be complied with."
"This order by the SC is just a TRO, an initial order not decision on the
merits. Just the same we welcome the senate vote." Marquez pointed out. "I think
they have their own respective views just like any collegial body and those
views must be respected." Fernan J. Angeles, Charlie V.
Manalo, Benjamin B. Pulta

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: PROSECUTORS SUBMITTED BOGUS 'EVIDENCE' / SENATE TO ACT ON $ ACCOUNTS

2012-02-14T18:51:00.000+10:00

PROSECUTORS SUBMITTED BOGUS
'EVIDENCE' / SENATE TO ACT ON $ ACCOUNTS

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (TRIBUNE) By Benjamin B. Pulta and Angie M.
Rosales - Annexes attached by the House prosecution panel in its request for a
subpoena by the Senate Court on the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) as
"evidence" against the head magistrate were admitted to be fake documents by the
bank's branch manager, who said the records presented by the prosecution to
obtain the subpoena of the dollar accounts alleged to be owned by Supreme Court
Chief Justice Renato Corona were not the same as the bank documents the bank
has, although the numbers allegedly correspond to Corona's dollar accounts.
The illegally-obtained document which later turned out to be a fake copy of a
bank paper was slipped by the House prosecution panel in its request for a
subpoena from the impeachment court on the bank papers of Corona.
It was Senate president pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada who brought out the issue
of whether the documents annexed by the prosecutor, which the prosecution
claimed were submitted to court were genuine or fake.
The witness, the bank branch manager, tried evading the question, but was
finally made by Estrada to admit to the documents presented by the prosecution
as fake.
The unsportsman like conduct of the prosecution was bared last night
when a prosecution witness, PSBank Katipunan Branch manager Annabelle
Tiongson (photo) confirmed that the documents kept in their office and the
ones used by the House were different.
Tiongson also would not deny that House prosecution panel chairman Niel Tupas
Jr., is an account holder in her bank claiming to do so would violate the laws
on bank secrecy.
The production itself of bank documents is an offense under the country's law
guaranteeing the secrecy of bank deposits except under special circumstances.

"They are not replicas of genuine bank documents. They are false documents."
Tiongson said at one point during the proceedings.
The uphill battle to uncover the details of the testimony started when it
became unclear whether Tiongson was a witness of the prosecution or the defense
prompting defense panel chief Serafin Cuevas to quip that Tiongson is a "witness
of the senator judge (Franklin) Drilon" and referred to Drilon's question as
"direct examination".
Drilon during the proceedings presented court documents showing that it had
been the prosecution who had requested the documents.
House prosecutor Tupas on orders to explain their conduct by senator judges,
pointed to media reports which they said confirmed the bank accounts.
"There are ethical standards to be observed by us." Enrile
admoninished prosecutors even as Tupas tried to stick to their story that the
bank document was given to them voluntarily by a "small lady".
Enrile, during the proceedings pointed out to the witness that the document
"could only come from your bank! The source can only come from your branch or
head office".
Tiongson for her part said "the document that is floating arround did not
come from our bank."
Tiongson's demeanor so infuriated members of the court that one point Enrile
told Tiongson "You are evasive. I warn you, you are under oath."
Tiongson confirmed that she also has access to the vault which contained the
specimen signature cards of the account holders. "I am the alternate custodian
of the primary custodian." she said.
Meanwhile, a figment of his imagination is what seems to be what is now
playing in the minds of the members of the Senate impeachment court and even
observers in the ongoing trial against the Chief Justice on the claims made by
Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali on the so-called "short lady" who handed
over to him some documents pertaining to the magistrate's alleged undisclosed
bank accounts.
Lead prosecutor Tupas (photo) received marching orders from
the presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, to "explain within 24
hours", in the light of the latest development which was coupled with a
testimony by a bank executive declaring in open court that the said documents
are "fake."
The said documents that included a signature specimen of Corona, were used as
attachments supplemental to the request of the prosecution panel to issue
subpoenas on the bank records and officers of PSBank and Bank of Philippine
Island (BPI).
"It (CCTV tapes) does not contain any little ladies giving anything to Rep
(Reynaldo) Umali from the time he arrived (here at the Senate) at 1 o'clock
until he boarded his car around 2:30 p.m.," Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III
said, when he mentioned in the report submitted to the impeachment court by the
Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA).
Nowhere in recorded footage of the Senate's close circuit television (CCTV)
cameras would show anything that would back up Umali's claims or even come close
to it.
Called for an explanation, Tupas remained adamant in the prosecution's claims
that an unknown source yielded the information to Umali which was eventually
given to him while they were in a meeting in Midas Hotel in Roxas Blvd., in the
evening of Feb. 2, Thursday.
Asked by Enrile who were with them in the said meeting, Tupas named his two
of the prosecution panel's co-counsel and two of their spokemen, Reps. Angara
and Miro Quimbo.
It was one of their regular meetings every Thursday where they meet after the
impeachment trial, Tupas said, adding that Umali had given him a brown envelope
which was already opened.
"He gave it to me and I examined the documents. It turned out to be the
signature specimen card," Tupas said, before he was reminded by Enrile that a
contradictory statement has just been made before the court, under oath, that
such documents are fake.
"The only statement that I can make is how we got the documents. After the
documents were given to me by Umali, we called our lawyer, the following day, we
prepared the request (for the issuance of a subpoena," Tupas said, adding that
this was in compliance to the directives of Enrile to the prosecution panel that
they "need to specifity" especially in asking for the issuance of subpoenas.

Enrile then recalled to Tupas that when he asked Umali to present a witness
as the supposed source of the said bank records, the latter claimed that it was
merely handed over to him by a "small lady" while he was inside the Senate
premises.
"We have records of CCTV regarding the movements of the congresman and it
does not show anything (about his claims). You are ordered to explain to us in
24 hours," Enrile said in berating Tupas.
It can be recalled that it was during the questioning of Sen. Francis "Chiz"
Escudero during the Feb. 6 trial proceedings when he inquired on the
circumstances of the prosecution's information on Corona's bank accounts that
Tupas and Umali said an anonymous tipster yielded the papers to them right
inside the Senate.
Tupas said Umali handed over to him the documents, around 7:30 p.m. last
Thursday in a meeting in one of the hotels located along Roxas Blvd.
Umali, when sought for further explanation, claimed that a "short lady"
allegedly approached him while he was on his way out of the Senate that same
day, around 2:30 p.m. and gave him an envelope that turned out to have contained
the said documents.
Asked by Enrile, Umali said he could no longer recall the situation then as
to the exact circumstances.
"Where was the envelope given?" Enrile inquired.
"I couldn't exactly recall because there were several documents handed to
me," he said, adding that the source could have been one of the "concerned
citizens."
"Where did you see that short lady?," the presiding officer asked in pursuing
the matter.
"It could have been your honor in the secretariat or on the way out before I
rode my vehicle going to the DPWH," Umali said, then in an apparent slip of the
tongue, mentioned that the source whom he identified as a "he" just passed on
the envelope to him.
"You did not know this lady?" asked Enrile.
"Not at all your honor," said Umali.
FROM SUN STAR ONLINE
High Court expects Senate action on Corona's dollar accounts
Monday, February 13, 2012

[PHOTO - President of Philippine Savings (PS) Bank presented Supreme
Court Chief Justice Renato Corona's millions of accounts on Day 14 of the
impeachment trial. (Photo from Yahoonews, February 10,
2011).]
MANILA (Updated) -- Supreme Court (SC) justices had anticipated the Senate
impeachment court's action to keep the confidentiality of Chief Justice Renato
Corona's dollar accounts at the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank).
SC spokesperson Midas Marquez made the statement on Monday as the senators
voted to abide by the High Court ruling issued last week despite the alleged
P100-million bribe offered by Malacañang to each senator to defy the temporary
restraining order (TRO).
"The court welcomes the position taken by the Senate. It was an order issued
by the court and the court was actually expecting that it will be complied
with," he said.
Marquez has yet to talk to the Chief Justice on the results of the voting,
where 13 senators, including presiding officer and Senate President Juan Ponce
Enrile, upheld the court's move to intervene in the impeachment proceedings.

Voting 13-10, the impeachment court decided to hold in abeyance its subpoena
on Corona's dollar-account records.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said, however, that the Senate reserves
the right "to vigorously defend" the basis for the subpoena it issued last week.

Enrile said the Senate asserts that it has the sole power to try and hear
impeachment cases and that respecting the SC order does not take away its right
"to defend the legal and public policy basis underlying the subpoenas."
Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Manuel Villar Jr., Ralph
Recto, Francis Escudero, Aquilino Pimentel III, Loren Legarda, Gregorio Honasan
II, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voted to abide by the TRO.
Senate President Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and
Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III also voted with the majority.
The senators who voted to disregard the TRO were Senators Franklin Drilon,
Sergio Osmena III, Edgardo Angara, Panfilo Lacson, Pia Cayetano, Francis
Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manuel Lapid, and Teofisto Guingona III.
Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano also voted against obeying the Supreme Court
order.
Senator-judges' arguments
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who made her position known even before the
Senate went into a caucus, said Monday the Senate must heed the TRO because "the
impeachment court is not almighty, not absolute, not illimitable, and not more
supreme than the Supreme Court."
She added forcing PSBank to reveal Corona's records without a written consent
as required by the Foreign Currency Deposit Act would be a violation of that
law.
"The lawmakers should not be the lawbreakers. Instead, the lawmakers should,
if necessary, amend the law," she said.
But doing so would also violate Corona's rights. "It has been said that the
individual right at risk in an impeachment trial is a federal judge's potential
loss of position, including the independence he or she is guaranteed," she said.

Senator Francis Escudero, considered an ally of the Aquino administration,
voted to uphold the TRO.
He said he did not agree with it being issued but that the proper place to
argue that would be before the Supreme Court.
"When we speak of morality and doing what is right, I'm of the firm belief
that in our search for the truth, this does not in any way give us any right to
violate the law," he said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said the country
cannot afford to have a constitutional crisis by having the Senate and Supreme
Court clash.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV voted against recognizing the TRO, saying it was
an illegal order as far as he was concerned.
"The issue we face is not a constitutional crisis, but a moral crisis. On one
hand, the Supreme Court, which through their TRO, threw the concept of judicial
restraint out of the window and intervened in the affairs of the Senate as an
impeachment court to protect and cover up for one of their own," he said.
He added that he will stand by the majority decision, but that the decision
to obey the Supreme Court was a missed opportunity "to stand on a moral high
ground in this issue."
"This TRO, in my uncomplicated mind, that of a soldier, is an unlawful
order," he said.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, for his part, warned that failing to open
Corona's dollar account would lead to a "bankruptcy of accountability."
"The concern is this: There is another petition for a TRO at the Supreme
Court today. What will stop the court from issuing a second TRO? Or a third? A
fourth?" he said.
Voting 8-5, the SC justices last week took into consideration the PSBanks'
citation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 6426, or the Foreign Currency
Deposit Act of the Philippines, which bars the banks to divulge contents of the
accounts without the written permission of the depositor.
Citing Intengan vs Court of Appeals, the SC ruled in February 15, 2002 that
if the accounts in question are US dollar deposits, the applicable law should be
RA 6426.
The court sustained this position in Government Service Insurance System
(GSIS) vs 15th division of Court of Appeals last June 8, 2011, when the justices
ruled that Westmont Bank cannot be forced to disclose the dollar deposits of
Domsat Holdings Inc.
"The written consent under RA 6426 constitutes a waiver of the depositor's
right to privacy in relation to such deposit. In the present case, neither the
prosecution nor the Impeachment Court has presented any such written waiver by
the alleged depositor, Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. Also, while impeachment
may be an exception to the secrecy of bank deposits under RA 1405 (Law on
Secrecy of Bank Deposits), it is not an exemption to the absolute
confidentiality of foreign deposits," the SC's TRO obtained by Sun.Star read.

For his part, Associate Justice Arturo Brion said in his concurring opinion
that the stay order was also a way to prevent a possible bank run, a situation
where traders and other depositors withdraw their accounts.
"The bank's failure in its obligation -- given the media coverage and the
non-legal slant it can give -- gives rise to a real danger that the bank's
reputation may suffer. In a very bad situation, the effect goes beyond the
bank's reputation and can adversely affect the economy," Brion said in his
10-page opinion.
Corona's lawyers said the Chief Justice's dollar deposits will be disclosed
before the senator-judges in "due time" even as Malacañang expressed hope for
conviction.
"The Senate has categorically stated evidence on peso accounts has been
validly produced. As more evidence of this nature is produced, it can only
underscore how the Chief Justice willfully broke the law," presidential
spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Corona maintained, however, that he has not amassed ill-gotten wealth as
repeatedly accused by the prosecutors from the House of Representatives.
"To the prosecution team, I do know my law. I have not broken any law. I have
no liability to the people and to the government. What my wife and I have is the
fruit of hard and honest work for which all taxes have been fully paid," he
said.
He also accused President Benigno Aquino III of committing an impeachable
offense "when he came out swinging by openly urging the senator-judges to
disobey the Constitution he has personally sworn to uphold."
Corona failed to elaborate.
He maintained that he was a stumbling block to Aquino, who wanted to stop the
distribution of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac to the 4,915 farmer-beneficiaries.

The farmer-beneficiaries had feared that Corona's possible removal might pave
the way for the reversal of the November 22 resolution that ordered the land
distribution and junked the stock distribution option.
This scheme, according to the High Court, would result in inequity and
prejudice to the farm workers as they will remain the minority stockholders of
the estate owned by the relatives of the President.
Not a victory for Corona
The House prosecution panel said the Senate's decision to respect the
injunction issued by the Supreme Court does not translate into a victory for the
Chief Justice and his lawyers.
Representatives Romero Frederico Quimbo, Juan Edgardo Angara and Lorenzo
Tanada III, spokespersons for the prosecution team, stressed that the 13-10 vote
in favor of honoring the TRO is not an indication of how voting will be when it
comes to the evidence presented.
"It's not even a victory on how Senate will rule on the case – on whether to
acquit or convict (Corona)," Quimbo said.
Quimbo added that while the prosecution team respects the decision of the
Senate sitting as an impeachment court, it should be noted that it might set a
precedent if the SC rules in favor of the Chief Justice in his petition to
declare the impeachment proceedings as "null and void".
Tañada added the Senate decision would have completed the prosecution's story
on Article 2 of the impeachment complaint -- Corona's non-disclosure of his
statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Citing documents contributed by a "small lady", the prosecution earlier
alleged Corona of having dollar accounts at the PSBank. One of the accounts,
they said, was opened with an initial deposit of $700,000.
Corona is presumed to have close to P32 million in three peso accounts -- two
in PSBank and one in the Bank of the Philippine Islands – in December 2010.
Corona only declared P3.5-million cash for the same year.
Meanwhile, the prosecution's spokespersons who are also members of the House
of Representatives pushed for the approval of a measure that would amend Foreign
Currency Deposit Act of 1974. This was the same law cited by the SC in the
issuance of a TRO. It said disclosure of dollar accounts is not provided under
the law.
"We hope this will pass in the 15th Congress," Quimbo said.
A bill filed by ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio allows
examination of foreign currency deposits "in cases of impeachment, or upon order
of a competent court in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public
officials, or in cases where the money deposited or invested is the subject
matter of the litigation." (Virgil Lopez/Jonathan de
Santos/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: CORONA CRIES 'INQUISITION' / SENATORS DENY P100-M BRIBE OFFER

2012-02-14T18:50:00.001+10:00

CORONA CRIES 'INQUISITION' / SENATORS
DENY P100-M BRIBE OFFER

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (INQUIRER) By Philip C. Tubeza -
('Senator-judges have lost impartiality'-- CJ Corona)
Claiming his impeachment trial has become an "inquisition," Chief Justice
Renato Corona on Monday said the Senate tribunal had "lost the cold neutrality
of an impartial judge" with Sen. Franklin Drilon and five other senators acting
as partisan prosecutors and urged the Supreme Court to stop the proceedings.

In a 48-page supplementary petition hours after the Senate voted 13-10 to
respect a Supreme Court restraining order on the opening of Corona's dollar
accounts, the impeached Chief Justice accused Drilon and Senators Serge Osmeña,
Francis Pangilinan, Alan Peter Cayetano and Teofisto Guingona III of violating
his right to due process by helping the prosecutors.
"The impeachment court has lost the cold neutrality of an impartial judge, in
derogation of the guaranteed rights of CJ Corona," he said in a petition filed
as Drilon again led the attempt by senator-judges to persuade officials of the
Philippine Savings Bank on Day 16 of the trial to disclose details of peso
deposits over vehement objections of lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas.
"The proceedings herein have become an inquisition, especially after CJ
Corona filed his urgent petition with this honorable court. Hence, without any
other plain, speedy or adequate remedy available in law, petitioner respectfully
submits this supplemental petition to amplify the impeachment court's grave
abuse of discretion," Corona said.
Corona said his right to due process was being violated in the impeachment
trial "because certain senator-judges have lost the cold neutrality of impartial
judges, by acting as prosecutors."
"Repeatedly, certain senator-judges have caused the production of documents
and elicited testimonial admissions, greatly favoring the prosecution. But
because the defense counsels are prohibited from objecting to the questions and
actuations of senator-judges, CJ Corona is helpless against their tyranny,"
Corona said.
The Chief Justice also said the senators were eliciting testimonial
admissions favoring the prosecution.
Trial a 'fishing expedition'
"What is obvious is that the senator-judges allied with President Aquino have
allowed, instead of prevented, the prosecution to use these impeachment
proceedings as "a fishing expedition" for evidence and to destroy petitioner's
character, integrity and reputation," Corona said.
"Their actions violate the very nature of due process and the character of an
impartial judge. Such abuse of constitutional rights cannot be allowed," he
added.
Corona also branded as "oppressive and blatantly violative" of a citizen's
right to due process Drilon's opinion that impeachment proceedings did not call
for the cold neutrality of an impartial judge.
He noted questions of some senators were "clearly intended to accomplish what
the prosecution failed to do."
In a press statement earlier on Monday, Corona accused President Aquino of
committing an impeachable offense when he allegedly urged senators to disobey
the Constitution.
He insisted that what wealth he and his wife had was the "fruit of hard and
honest work" and that his impeachment trial was a "sham" meant to stop the
distribution of Hacienda Luisita, the sprawling sugarcane plantation owned by
Mr. Aquino's family.
"The President has clearly committed an impeachable offense when he came out
swinging by openly urging the senator-judges to disobey the Constitution he has
personally sworn to uphold," Corona said.
Alleged Palace bribe
On Sunday, Corona's lawyers said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, acting on
behalf of the President, had offered P100 million in pork barrel funds to
senators to defy the Supreme Court's temporary restraining order (TRO) on the
opening of Corona's dollar accounts—a charge Ochoa has denied.
On Monday, Mr. Aquino in an interview at the Philippine National Police
headquarters where he presided over a command conference also denied the defense
lawyers' allegation. "I will not dignify such accusations," he said.
He stressed the prosecution had other ways of ferreting out Corona's dollar
accounts.
"The point is not that we cannot find the truth," Mr. Aquino said. "From the
substantial discrepancy in the unearthed peso accounts, it looks like they have
made their case."
Last week, Mr. Aquino also deplored the court's restraining order, saying it
was similar to that issued allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to
leave the country. The justice department ignored this TRO.
"This impeachment trial is a sham. It is revenge and a shameless attempt to
stop the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands," Corona said.
Mr. Aquino's family is seeking in the Supreme Court a P10-billion
compensation for the land.
Honest work
Corona insisted that he and his family had enough wealth to start with and
that they did nothing wrong while acquiring more assets.
"Throughout my public career, I have never been involved in any anomaly or
scandal. Whatever assets my wife and I have acquired are products of 45 years of
toil and honest work," Corona said.
"My wife and I have been privileged to come from families of comfortable
means. We grew up never lacking in anything and even enjoyed some luxuries. We
earned our academic degrees in some of the best exclusive schools in the
country," he said.
Corona said that he earned several postgraduate degrees, including a master's
degree in Harvard Law School and that their parents "provided well for our
future."
"Family resources continue to be available to us anytime. I had a very
successful career in the private sector where I was a top executive before I
joined the government. That is public record," Corona said.
"For the past 40 years, my wife and I lived in a house, which was inherited
property, and for that reason never had to pay rent or amortization on our
residence. This translated to significant savings over forty years," he added.

Simple frugal lives
Corona said he and his wife lived "simple and frugal lives since we got
married more than 40 years ago, to the point of thriftiness."
"This contributed to how we have been able to accumulate these assets. Other
than our house, which we have lived in for almost 40 years, we have never had
any other house," Corona said.
"I do not spend on vices like smoking, drinking or gambling, and have been
completely devoted to my family. My family has always been my priority," he
said.
"It pains me to see my family suffer the reckless abandon of a few who want
to paint a different Renato C. Corona. I will not allow a career carefully
nurtured and a family lovingly cared for in my lifetime to be tarnished by
people in the business of lies and falsehoods," he added.
Corona said he was determined to "explain everything satisfactorily" when it
was the defense's turn to present its evidence.
"If you look closely at the documents already marked, the explanations are
all there. In the meantime, I would like to request the public not to make any
hasty conclusions," Corona said.
"This 'exposé' that the prosecution is trying to herald as another
'bombshell' will, in due time, be exposed as another dud like the 45 properties
they claimed I owned," he said.
'I do know my law'
"To the prosecution team, I do know my law. I have not broken any law. I have
no liability to the people and to the government," he added.
Corona said the assets that he and his wife now own were "the fruit of hard
and honest work for which all taxes have been fully paid."
"Since the prosecution alleged wrongdoing, the obligation to prove it is
theirs and theirs alone. Do not extract it from me through means that are foul,
coercive and illegal because this can only mean one thing: You did not have any
iota of evidence against me when you filed the impeachment complaint," Corona
said.
"As to the effort of the prosecution to enlist the assistance of certain
patently partisan and inquisitorial senator-judges to help obtain the evidence
you are digging up only now, not to mention the ruthless, un-Christian and
unrelenting public persecution through trial by publicity against my family and
I, I hope the public will see through your schemes," he said.
"My entire family is now, among others, being harassed by the (Bureau of
Internal Revenue). I hope this persecution will never happen to any other
official, officer, captain of industry or Juan de la Cruz. I would not wish it
on my worst enemy, should I have one."
Senators deny, slam alleged P100M bribe offer by
Palace By Maila Ager INQUIRER.net 1:53 pm | Monday,

[PHOTO - Chief defense counsel Serafin Cuevas (right) confers with
attorneys Jose Roy (center) and Serafin Cuevas Jr. after the impeachment court
ordered the defense lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona to submit a written
explanation why it should not be cited for contempt after it announced during a
press conference a bribery attempt by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa to some
of the senator-judges. Photo by Joseph Vidal, Senate
Pool]
MANILA, Philippines–Senators strongly denied on Monday the alleged P100
million bribe offer by Malacanang to defy the Supreme Court's temporary
restraining order on the opening the dollar accounts of Chief Justice Renato
Corona.
"Well that's not true at all. It's pure rubbish," Senator Panfilo Lacson said
of the allegation by Corona's lawyers.
"In my humble opinion, that's contemptuous,'' he said, adding that the latest
issue might be a way to preempt the senators who will be discussing the TRO in a
caucus and vote on whether or not to follow the TRO.
"That's contemptuous because it will affect the decision of some if not most
of the senators. I won't be affected, I'm sure about myself, hindi ako kasama
kung totoo mang may offer na ganoon (I've not been a party to this if it's true
there was an offer). But I doubt it very much and I don't believe there is such
an offer," Lacson said.
He also said such allegation was offensive to the senators, who sit as judges
in the impeachment trial.
"Para bang we're a bunch of people for sale, na may ida-dangle na P100
million at gawa noon magpapalit ang aming position whether or not i-defy ang TRO
(It's as if we're a bunch of people for sale, who would be offered P100 million
just to change our position)," he pointed out.
Lacson said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, should ask the
defense team to reveal their source and cite the team's members for contempt if
necessary.
"We can force them under pain of being cited for contempt. That's really
contemptuous sa impeachment court to say the least," the senator added.
Senate Pro-Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada said the defense team should
identify the senators who had been approached by Malacanang lest all senators
would be suspect.
He said in an interview over television that he was hurt by the allegation of
the defense team because every senator's credibility and integrity might be
questionable now. "Kaya siguro karapat-dapat lang na banggitin ng defense panel
kung sinu sino ang mga senador na gustong i-bribe ng Malacanang (That's why it's
but proper for the defense panel to name who among the senator-judges Malacanang
wants to bribe).''
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, a known ally of the Aquino administration,
also denied the allegation.
"I can only speak for myself, it's not true," Escudero said in a text message
to reporters.
Escudero said he spoke with Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa, who
allegedly made the offer to the senators, in two occasions this week but no
offer was made to him.
"No such offer was made. We respect each other and that would be out of
character for Jojo to do that," he said. Escudero and Ochoa have been good
friends even before the latter assumed office in government.
Besides, the senator said, he already made known his position last Friday
that while he does not agree with the SC decision, the Senate should heed and
respect it.
"The Senate should defend the subpoena we issued before the Supreme Court but
we should heed and respect it and not even put it to a vote," Escudero added.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: SC: SALN CONTENTS CAN'T BE 'CORRECTED' / CJ QUESTIONS PARTIALITY OF 5 SENATOR-JUDGES

2012-02-14T18:49:00.001+10:00

SC: SALN CONTENTS CAN'T BE
'CORRECTED' / CJ QUESTIONS PARTIALITY OF 5 SENATOR-JUDGES

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (ABS-CBN) by Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com -
Are government officials and employees allowed to revise their annual statements
of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) after they are sworn in and filed,
according to the belief of former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas?
No they can't, according to Supreme Court decisions.
Lawyers asked by ABS-CBNnews.com to clarify the issue mentioned several cases
before the Supreme Court that involved government officials and employees being
taken to court for discrepancies in their SALNs.
Under Section 8 of Republic Act 6713, public officials and employees are
required to annually file under oath their SALNs and disclosure of business
interests and financial connections and those of their spouses and unmarried
children under 18 years of age living in their households.
The SALN must contain the following:
•real property, its improvements,
acquisition costs, assessed value, and current fair market value;
•personal
property and acquisition cost;
•all other assets such as investments, cash
on hand or in banks, stock, bonds , and the like; and
•all financial
liabilities, both current and long term.
The disclosure of business interest and financial connections, meanwhile,
must contain exact information on all the person's business interests.
If the information in the SALN is false and inaccurate, the person who filed
it is not allowed to be first informed about the error and correct it, according
to Supreme Court rulings.
The Supreme Court Second Division, in a March 23, 2011 ruling on G.R. No.
176058, made this assertion.
The case involved a public works official who was accused of failing to
disclose his wife's business interests and financial connections in his SALN.

The official claimed that he and his wife had no business interests of any
kind and for this reason, he wrote "none" under the column "Business Interests
and Financial Connections" on his 1999 SALN and left the column blank in his
2000 and 2001 SALNs. He also he attributed the mistake to his SALNs being
prepared by his wife's bookkeeper.
He said he should have first been allowed to correct the error in his SALNs
before being charged for violation of RA 6713.
The SC, however, said that Section 10 of RA 6713 does not say that he
be first told that his SALN needs to be corrected.
"Assuring the truth and accuracy of the answers in the SALN is the function
of the filer's oath that to the best of his knowledge and information, the data
he provides in it constitutes the true statements of his assets, liabilities,
net worth, business interests, and financial connections," the ruling said. "Any
falsity in the SALN makes him liable for falsification of public documents under
Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code."
"The law will not require the impossible, namely, that the committee [that
reviewed his SALN] must ascertain the truth of all the information that the
public officer or employee stated or failed to state in his SALNs and remind him
of it," it added.
It was the second time that the public works official was found guilty of
failing to file a correct and accurate SALN.
In an earlier case, G.R. No. 169982 that was promulgated November 23, 2007 by
the Supreme Court 3rd Division, the official was also found guilty of negligence
in accomplishing his SALN for the year 2002.
'Substantive, not formal defects'
Other cases wherein the Supreme Court rejected the notion that Section 10 of
RA 6713 allows SALNs to be corrected are G.R. Nos. 190580-81 promulgated
February 21, 2011 by the high tribunal's Second Division.
The erring official, a treasurer of Parañaque City, claimed that he was
entitled to be informed of any error in his SALN and should have been given the
opportunity to correct it.
"True, Section 10 of R.A. 6713 provides that when the head of office finds
the SALN of a subordinate incomplete or not in the proper form such head of
office must call the subordinate's attention to such omission and give him the
chance to rectify the same. But this procedure is an internal office matter,"
the Supreme Court said.
"The notice and correction referred to in Section 10 are intended merely to
ensure that SALNs are 'submitted on time, are complete, and are in proper form.'
Obviously, these refer to formal defects in the SALNs," it added.
The court ruling said the charges against the Parañaque official are for
falsification of the assets side of his SALNs and for declaring a false net
worth.
"These are substantive, not formal defects," the court said. "It would be
absurd to require such heads to run a check on the truth of what the SALNs state
and require their subordinates to correct whatever lies these contain. The
responsibility for truth in those SALNs belongs to the subordinates who prepared
them, not to the heads of their offices."
Associate Justice Roberto Abad penned the ruling, which was certified by
Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Corona questions partiality of 5 senator-judges by
Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News Posted at 02/13/2012 7:08 PM | Updated as of
02/13/2012 11:08 PM

[OLD PHOTO - FRIENDS, ALLIES, CELEBRATE DRILONS BIRTHDAY: Liberal Party
President Sen. Franklin M. Drilon celebrated his 61st birthday in a simple
gathering of friends and political allies in his residence Sunday evening
(November 26). Singing the Happy Birthday Song to Drilon were Sen. Edgardo
Angara (partly hidden), former President Corazon Aquino, LP National Chairman
Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Tarlac Rep. Noynoy Aquino.]
MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona filed on Monday a 48-page
supplemental petition before the Supreme Court, citing the tendency of
senator-judges to "propound questions more akin to cross-examinations and loaded
with veiled threats, securing for the prosecution what they failed to do for
themselves."
"In this case, the conduct of senator-judges has drawn the attention of the
public, casting doubt on the integrity of the impeachment trial process and even
the impartiality of the judges themselves in order to allow the prosecution to
present evidence on paragraph 2.4 and to amplify or assist said prosecutors, the
allies of President Aquino in the Senate abused their authority and continued
their presentation of evidence for the prosecution," the supplemental petition
said.
The senator-judges mentioned are Franklin Drilon, Alan Peter Cayetano,
Francis Pangilinan, Teofisto Guingona III and Sergio Osmena III.
Corona, through his defense team, earlier asked the Supreme Court to declare
the impeachment complaint as null and void and stop the presentation of evidence
in the trial including his bank records.
Based on the 39-page urgent petition for certiorari, the defense said they
have been "forced into litigation with standards so far below the norm in
regular proceedings."
As such, "the effect has been the unhappy experience of trying the
impeachment case with the general public as the judge and jury. Not only does
this violate the right of CJ Corona to the cold, neutrality of an impartial
judge, but it also denies him the fundamental right to a trial in accordance
[with the Constitution and the laws]," the defense said.
They cited these arguments: - the impeachment complaint is null and void
because it was transmitted without due notice and hearing to CJ Corona; - the
impeachment court gravely abused its discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction in retaining 2.3 of Article II - paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 of the
complaint are based on pure speculation and conclusions, which cannot be
considered as ultimate facts sufficient to support a complaint; - the
presentation of evidence on charges of alleged corruption and unexplained wealth
violates petitioner's right to due process; - the impeachment court committed
grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in issuing
the subpoena for all the bank accounts, as requested by the prosecution.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: CJ: NOY COMMITTED IMPEACHABLE VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTION

2012-02-14T18:47:00.001+10:00

CJ: NOY COMMITTED IMPEACHABLE
VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTION

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 (ABS-CBN) Supreme Court Chief Justice
Renato Corona yesterday accused President Aquino of having committed impeachable
offenses, as he charged, in a press statement, that the impeachable violation of
the Constitution came when he came out swinging by openly urging the
senator-judges to disobey the fundamental law, or the Charter, whihc the
president has personally sworn to uphold.
In the same statement, the Chief Justice denied having committed any
wrongdoing saying that "throughout (his) public career," and that he has never
been involved in any anomaly or scandal. "Whatever assets my wife and I have
acquired are products of 45 years of toil and honest work.
My wife and I have been privileged to come from families of comfortable
means. We grew up some of the best exclusive schools in the country. I went on
to earn several postgraduate degrees, including a Master's degree in Harvard Law
School. Our parents provided well for our future. Family resources continue to
be available to us anytime."
Corona explained that he had a very successful career in the private sector
where he worked as a top executive before joining government, stressed that this
is public record.
For the past 40 years, my wife and I lived in a house, which was
inherited property, and for that reason never had to pay rent or amortization on
our residence. This translated to significant savings over forty years," the
statement said.
"We have lived simple and frugal lives since we got married more than 40
years ago, to the point of thriftiness. This contributed to how we have been
able to accumulate these assets. Other than our house, which we have lived in
for almost 40 years, we have never had any other house.
"I do not spend on vices like smoking, drinking or gambling, and have been
completely devoted to my family. My family has always been my priority.
"It pains me to see my family suffer the reckless abandon of a few who want
to paint a different Renato C. Corona. I will not allow a career carefully
nurtured and a family lovingly cared for in my lifetime to be tarnished by
people in the business of lies and falsehoods.
"But I am determined, with my Defense Team, to explain everything
satisfactorily when our turn comes to present our evidence. If you look closely
at the documents already marked, the explanations are all there.
"In the meantime, I would like to request the public not to make any hasty
conclusions. This 'expose' that the prosecution is trying to herald as another
"bombshell" will, in due time, be exposed as another dud like the 45 properties
they claimed I owned.
He had directed parts of the statement to the prosecution team, saying:to the
Prosecution Team, I do know my law. I have not broken any law. I have no
liability to the people and to the government.
"What my wife and I have is the fruit of hard and honest work for which all
taxes have been fully paid. Since the Prosecution alleged wrongdoing, the
obligation to prove it is theirs and theirs alone. Do not extract it from me
through means that are foul, coercive and illegal because this can only mean one
thing: YOU DID NOT HAVE ANY IOTA OF EVIDENCE AGAINST ME WHEN YOU FILED THE
IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT.
"As to the effort of the Prosecution to enlist the assistance of certain
patently partisan and inquisitorial senator-judges to help obtain the evidence
you are digging up only now, not to mention the ruthless, unchristian and
unrelenting public persecution through trial by publicity against my family and
I, I hope the public will see through your schemes. My entire family is now,
among others, being harassed by the BIR. I hope this persecution will never
happen to any other official, officer, captain of industry or Juan dela Cruz. I
would not wish it on my worst enemy, should I have one.
"Finally, the President has clearly committed an impeachable offense
when he came out swinging by openly urging the senator-judges to disobey the
Constitution he has personally sworn to uphold.
He said the impeachment trial is a farce with its shamless intention is to
stop the parceling of the Hacienda Luisita.
The prosecution panel yesterday branded the allegations raised by the defense
lawyers of impeached chief justice against the senator-judges as an act of
desperation in a bid to lay the basis to discredit the entire impeachment
proceedings.
In a press conference yesterday before the resumption of the impeachment
trial, the spokesmen of the prosecution panel accused Corona's defense lawyers
of diverting public attention from the P32-million secret bank accounts of the
chief justice that was uncovered during the testimonies of two bank officials
from the Bank of the Philippine Islands and the PS Bank by alleging that the
Senator-Judges have been bribed for P100-million each in exchange for defying
the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Supreme Court on the disclosure of
dollar bank deposits.
"They are laying the basis for a mistrial. They are conditioning the mind of
the public," Angara said in view of the caucus by the senator-judges on whether
it should follow the TRO on the disclosure of dollar bank deposits which the
prosecutors believe could further inflate Corona's unreported cash and
investments.
Angara said that instead of disproving the overwhelming pieces of evidence
that have been presented in the impeachment court, Corona and his lawyers have
done nothing from Day One but to undermine the impeachment proceeding.
"This is obviously a desperate attempt on the part of the defense
lawyers to discredit the impeachment proceedings and a direct attack on the
independence and impartiality of the senator-judges," said another prosecution
spokesman, Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo.
Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada said Corona's lawyers have probably realized that
"in the face of overwhelming evidence, the position of their client has become
indefensible."
According to Quimbo, the defense counsels may be privy to some information
which led them to conclude that Corona is a lost cause and the only way to save
their case is to turn the tables against the chief magistrate's archenemy,
President Aquino.
"There are facts that no brilliant legal brief can refute such as the
nondisclosure of some P32 million in bank deposits in Mr. Corona's SALn. There
is no legal antidote to that lying," Quimbo said.
Quimbo pointed out that the actions of the defense panel would show that they
are practically abandoning the process in the Senate. Gerry
Baldo

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-HL: SURVEY: MORE PINOYS FOLLOW THEIR HEART, NOT MIND

2012-02-14T18:39:00.001+10:00

SURVEY: MORE PINOYS FOLLOW THEIR
HEART, NOT MIND

MANILA, FEBRUARY 14, 2012
(PHILSTAR) By Helen Flores - (PHOTO - Red roses are displayed
in a stall at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila on the eve of Valentine's Day.
EDD GUMBAN)
MANILA, Philippines - More Filipinos would follow their heart over their mind
when it comes to love, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed
yesterday.
The survey showed that 54 percent of adult Filipinos would follow their
heart, while 45 percent follow their mind.
It also found nearly seven in 10 Filipino adults would not change their
religion in the name of love.
Following one's heart rather than mind over matters of love is more prevalent
among married Filipinos and those with live-in partners than those who are
single, the SWS said.
In particular, 64 percent of those with live-in partners and 55 percent of
those married would follow their heart rather than their mind when it comes to
love.
In contrast, 52 percent of those who are single would follow their mind and
46 percent would follow their heart.
By age group, a majority of those aged 18-54 would follow their heart over
their mind when it comes to love – 54 percent among the youth (18-24), 56
percent among the intermediate youth (25-34), 57 percent among the middle age
(35-44), and 54 percent among those aged 45-54.
There are slightly more of those 55 years old and above – or 51 percent to 48
percent – who would follow their mind than heart.
The SWS noted that following heart over mind was higher among Class E or
poor, and those with less education.
In contrast, most (52 percent) of middle-to-upper classes ABC would follow
their mind rather than their heart in the name of love.
At the same time, 52 percent of college graduates would follow their mind
rather than their heart.
FROM MALAYA
PHL PSYCHIATRIC ASSN WARNS: TOO MUCH
LOVE WILL KILL YOU

How do I love
thee? Take care.
The Philippine Psychiatric Association, has warned that, as the song goes,
too much love will kill you.
"Too much love is really dangerous. Huwag tayo masyado magmahal. Yung tama
lang. Leave something for yourself," said PPA publicity officer Dr. Bernadette
Arcena.
She said being too much in love and suffering from a broken heart could lead
to depression and lower self-esteem. Worse, it could result in obsession and
insecurity.
"You're not in your proper mind anymore," said Arcena.
"Don't despair. There is another chance for you to love again. If you have
been with a bad person, maybe there is someone better meant for you," she said.

And now, for the numbers.
In predominantly Catholic Philippines, almost seven out of 10 Filipinos will
not change their religion in the name of love, the Dec. 3-7, 2011 Social Weather
Stations survey showed.
The survey, which had 1,200 respondents, said 68 percent of adult Filipinos
would not exchange religion for love while 31 percent would.
It also revealed that the number of Filipinos who are very happy with their
love life has risen to 59 percent compared to the previous 55 percent.
Thirty-one percent said their love life could be happier while 9 percent claimed
to have no love life.
In making decisions about love, 54 percent said they would follow their heart
while 45 percent would follow their mind.
In the battle between heart and mind, 54 percent of Filipinos said they would
follow their heart when it comes to love, compared to the 45 percent who said
they would follow their mind.
The heart rules more among those who are married (55 percent) and those with
live-in partners (64 percent). Among the singles, 52 percent said they would
follow their mind and 46 percent would follow their heart.
Those aged 18-54 would also follow their heart. But the 55 years old and
above group would rather use their heads.
Contrary to the belief that women are more emotional, the SWS survey said
more Filipino men (56 percent) than women (51 percent) would follow their heart
when it comes to love.
Among the respondents, happiness with their love life is higher among those
who are married and who have live-in partners.
In Makati, the city's social welfare department will deploy mobile beauty
parlor services in barangays Kasilawan and Carmona that would give its senior
citizens free beauty care and relaxation services like manicure and pedicure,
foot spa, haircut and hair dye/color, and massage therapy.

Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO SPECIAL: SINGLE'S SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

2012-02-14T18:35:00.001+10:00

Celebrate being single (Image: Getty)
Single's survival guide for
Valentine's Dayby courtesy of Marilyn.ca
Relationship therapist Ashley Howe
shows us how to celebrate being single on Valentine's Day

Celebrate being single on
Valentine's Day

Valentines Day doesn't have to only be about romantic love, as that's only
one kind of love! You can send and feel love of all kinds on Valentines Day and
feel the benefits of LOVEing feelings even without being in a romantic
relationship! Remember we have ALL kinds of loving relationships!

5 tips to a LOVELY Valentines Day as a Single
Person

1. Put on some Love Goggles!

Start to notice all of the kinds of love you have in your life. You'll be
surprised where you will find it. Think about the love you have and feel for
your siblings, best friends, dog, the love you feel for your coworkers, the
child you babysit....Notice the love that exists in the world. People helping
strangers, the kind service person who made you smile...Love can be a state of
being. You either notice it all around you, or you focus on the ONE kind you
don't have (romantic love). If you are too busy focusing on romantic love, you
will be missing all of the amazing feelings of love that exist all around you,
everyday, if you are open to it and notice it. So, on Valentines Day walk around
with your love goggles on, looking for and noticing and FEELING all of the love
that exists around you all the time.

2. Why choose one Valentine when you can have many?!

One of the best ways to feel the love, is to give it! It feels good to be
loving and kind towards others, and in turn, the warm and fuzzy feelings you
have for yourself will skyrocket. Write Valentines cards for your best friend,
your mom/dad, your fave aunt etc. Say in your card..." I love you because...."
Tell them all of the things your are grateful for, how they've improved your
life, or what times you've loved sharing with them. This will be unexpected and
will make their Valentines Day memorable.

3. The grass isn't always greener in couple land!

Valentines Day alone, is better than Valentines Day in the wrong
relationship! An observation I have often made with my clients in therapy is
that there seems to be nothing more lonely, than feeling alone while IN a
relationship! Most of us can relate to that statement in some way through our
experiences. So, without feeling down about relationships as they can be
wonderful, DO think about how neither state- single or in a couple, is perfect.
Both have flaws, and both have advantages! Remember that those in relationships
are not necessarily so much happier than you are on Valentines Day, so be
grateful that you are not currently in that position. For instance, if you are
out with your friends, look around the restaurant and observe other couples, do
they look like they are in a movie, all googley-eyed, excited, and perfect? Some
will look that way, but others may not. Make guesses as to what you think is
going on in that relationship and how they are feeling...Then think about how
much fun you and your single mates are having! Think about the relationships
you've gotten out of that you are proud of, the bullets you've dodged etc...Make
light of how bad some of them may have been. Be grateful that you are not there,
or where you used to be, and that you have new choices and new people to meet as
a single person!

4. Be your OWN best Valentine!!

Good news- As a single person, your Valentines Day will look EXACTLY how
you want it to look! Be happy that you don't have to pretend to like the awful
valentines gift from the wrong person, or that you don't have to be disappointed
about how the day went or what your partner did or didn't do for you. YOU have
all of the control over how your day is going to go. YOU can make it great! So,
be your own best valentine! Pamper yourself in anyway you want! Watch 5 hours of
jersey shore while eating bad take out! Give yourself a facial while reading
gossip magazines, take a walk for as long as you'd like ! Get a massage or a
pedicure. Do all the things you'd like to do or have your partner do for you on
Valentines Day-only this time, you can be sure they happen!

5. Have a blast with your single MATES!

Remember, your friends can be your soulmates, too! No Date? No problem!
Grab your favourite single friends (there are more single folks in North America
now than married people!!! So, you should be able to find some single friends,
or even just one!), and plan the perfect night out. Take each other to dinner,
for a drink, host everyone at your house. Do a game around the table, where each
of you say two things you like, admire, appreciate about every friend at the
table. Or, go around the table and ask everyone to say one thing that is GREAT
about being single! For instance, you can be as selfish as you'd like, you get
to have the excitement of who is around the corner or if you meet someone you
like, you can actually date them, you get to have adventures and experiences you
may not be able to have as a person in a relationship (how many times have you
heard from your single friends "I live your life vicariously, my life is boring
and predictable). Or even throw an Anti-Valentines Day party if you want a
different and creative night, where you can't say the word date or love and
where you serve cookies in the shape of a heart with an x across it, or where
you talk only about the horrible experiences you've had dating or in
relationships etc.

Whatever it is, being in a relationship should have NO bearing on whether
or not you have fun on Valentine's Day!
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- EDITORIAL: ON THE BRINK OF A POWER CRISIS

2012-02-12T22:58:00.001+10:00

editorial: on the brink of a power
crisis

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12,
2012 (INQUIRER) With one motion, we are brought to the
brink of bedlam. When the defense lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona filed a
petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court to halt the ongoing impeachment
trial at the Senate, it also brought the Philippines the closest it has ever
been to a constitutional crisis.
The petition came as something of a surprise considering that Corona had
previously said that he had faith he would be acquitted in an impeachment trial,
but he has apparently changed his mind. The petition filed by the defense is
nothing short of provocative, as it asks the high court to impose its power over
the Senate impeachment court, asking for a stop to the proceedings through a
temporary restraining order.
Corona's lawyers have pooh-poohed any talk of a looming crisis, saying that
the filing isn't anything extraordinary and that they are only protecting the
rights of their client who, they say, is not getting a fair shake at the Senate.
Saying the petition does not pit the Supreme Court against the Senate, defense
lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho said: "What we are doing is actually a recognition of
the Constitution and a respect [for] government instrumentalities. We are just
seeking relief from the Supreme Court." Colleague Tranquil Salvador III says we
must all be sanguine about the petition. "How can there be a constitutional
crisis when we don't know yet how the Supreme Court would decide on the
petition? We don't even know if it would act on what we filed."
The response to the Feb. 8 filing was immediate and unmuted. Sen. Teofisto
Guingona III took to the Senate floor with a surprise speech warning about where
the defense filing might take us. "Many of our fellow citizens are worried …
that we will have a constitutional crisis," Guingona said, citing the defense's
petition "to stop the issuance of a subpoena from the impeachment court related
to bank deposits of the accused." Prosecution spokesman Rep. Romero Quimbo
explained that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction over the Senate impeachment
court. "The Senate leadership must carry out its exclusive constitutional
mandate of impeachment to its finality. It should not allow its power to be
emasculated by another branch," he said.
Some of the fears were further ignited when the Supreme Court granted a TRO
the next day preventing the prosecution from opening Corona's dollar accounts.
The air of unease was further increased when the Supreme Court decided to defer
acting on the defense's petition for certiorari. Now everyone waits with bated
breath.
Perhaps the most surprising thing was that the Senate impeachment court
seemed to be doing exactly what it was supposed to be doing. The senator-judges
were looking at the evidence, listening to the arguments and weighing their own
thoughts regarding the case against the Chief Justice. The accusations flew hard
and fast. The defense said this was a trial by publicity, that some of the
decisions made had no basis in law. The prosecution asked why all the resistance
if Corona had nothing to hide. But nobody expected this.
The problem now is that there is no going back. What the defense wants is
almost unthinkable. Should the Supreme Court grant a TRO against the very
impeachment trial, it would effectively state that it is more powerful than the
Senate. This is a strange development considering that the Supreme Court
justices were merely appointed to their positions while the senators were each
elected by popular vote. The senators certainly weren't going to take it lying
down. "We have the right to question it. We can't just lie down and [sing]

Alleluia," Sen. Franklin Drilon said regarding the TRO on the Corona bank
accounts. "We can't be interfered with by the Supreme Court. Otherwise, we lose
our independence."
When the impeachment trial began, it was touted as proof that the legislative
branch was equally powerful as the judicial branch; the impeachment court was
also considered sui generis – one of a kind – and that it was proof that the
Philippine government's system of checks and balances actually worked.
Now that system is being tested like it has never been tested previously.
Whatever happens next, these will be days of uncertainty and doubt. Will the
Supreme Court impose its power on the Senate? Will the Senate impeachment court
retain its independence and finish the Corona trial? Will our democracy emerge
intact or irreparably damaged? It is now in the hands of the high court.
Meanwhile, the Senate is caught in a dilemma while a nation awaits the next big
twist in its surprising history.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO- ANALYSIS: SENATE, SUPREME COURT ON COLLISION COURSE

2012-02-12T22:56:00.002+10:00

ANALYSIS: SENATE, SUPREME COURT ON COLLISION
COURSE

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12,
2012 (INQUIRER) By: Amando Doronila - The impeachment
trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona stood precariously yesterday (Thursday) on
the knife's edge of an impasse over petitions by Corona's defense team asking
the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment proceedings and the presentation of
evidence on his bank deposits.
This turn of events sent the Supreme Court and the Senate tribunal trying
Corona on a collision course, raising fears that the impeachment trial was
dangerously escalating into a constitutional crisis involving the principle of
separation of powers and the independence of the Judiciary from the political
organs of Philippine democracy.
As things stood yesterday, in the third week of the trial, three key issues
threatened to abort the trial and raised the specter that the abortion might
send the controversy to the streets for resolution by the mob in a new people
power demonstration.
In a surprise but unprecedented move, Corona asked the Court to stop the
trial on grounds that it violates his constitutional rights. In an urgent
petition, Corona asked the Court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop
the Senate impeachment trial and declare the complaint filed by the House of
Representatives in December as void from the start. He also asked the Court to
void the subpoenas issued by the tribunal for bank officials to produce records
of his accounts, and to stop the Senate from further receiving evidence in
relation to paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 of Article 2 of the impeachment complaint.
Paragraph 2.3 is about properties allegedly not included in Corona's statements
of assets, liabilities and net worth, in violation of the anti-graft law.
Paragraph 2.4 is about the alleged accumulated ill-gotten wealth of Corona.
The petition said the impeachment court should not have proceeded with the
trial on the basis of the complaint which was "riddled with constitutional
defects too numerous to withstand even cursory legal scrutiny. "The petition
noted that: Undoubtedly, public admissions by members of the House of
Representatives declared that there was no opportunity to read the complaint.
They also declared that the majority of signatories signed without reading the
complaint reputably in exchange for material considerations." It added that 2.3
and 2.4 were based on mere speculation, which is insufficient to support a
complaint. It pointed out that allegations in paragraph 2.3 and 2.4 were based
only on reports and suspicions. "Time and again, (the Supreme Court) has held
that charges based on mere suspicion and speculation cannot be given credence
and it would be absurd if mere suspicion and speculation would be treated as a
valid basis to oust an incumbent Chief Justice," the petition said.
The Court was scheduled to discuss the petition yesterday, and prosecutors
said Corona was seeking acquittal not through the impeachment trial but through
a TRO from his colleagues in the Court. A prosecution spokesperson, Marikina
Rep. Romero Quimbo, said the Court would be "at the brink of throwing itself in
a deep constitutional violation should it issue the TRO."
Senator-judge Teofisto Guingona III said the petition to stop the trial and
the issuance of a subpoena related to bank deposits of Corona raised three
important points only the Senate could resolve. Quimbo said the high court has
no jurisdiction over the impeachment court under Article 11, Section 6 of the
Constitution, which states that the Senate has the "sole power to try and decide
all cases of impeachment."
Earlier last Feb. 8, in a move seen to avert a clash between the Court and
the Senate tribunal, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding judge,
denied the prosecution's motion to subpoena four associate justices of the
Supreme Court to testify on Chief Justice Corona's participation in an October
2011 en banc session that led to a resolution favoring Philippine Airlines. The
decision was seen in legal circles as a move to avoid any head-on collision with
the high court and to define further the role of the Senate tribunal on
impeachment cases vis-à-vis the high court. In explaining his ruling, Enrile
cited, among other reasons, the separation of powers among the executive,
legislative and judicial branches of government, the confidentiality of the high
court's sessions and respect for its internal rules.
The trial ran into legal complications on Feb. 8 when Philippine Savings Bank
(PSBank) asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to issue a TRO to stop the Senate
from compelling the bank's representative to testify and bring documents
pertaining to Corona's foreign currency accounts.
PSBank president Pascual Garcia III testified on Tuesday only to warn that
the bank would be breaking the laws protecting the confidentiality of bank
accounts if it revealed them. Bank lawyers had asked the Supreme Court to issue
a TRO on the disclosure of the accounts. The bank's lawyers said the TRO was
necessary to prevent a possible bank run by the public and investors who may be
alarmed by the impeachment court's "arbitrary and whimsical" examination of a
foreign currency deposit.
Bank officials said the dollar deposits were absolutely protected by Republic
Act No. 6426, or Foreign Currency Deposit Act. The bank's petition to the high
court said it should stop the impeachment court from "forcing them to commit a
crime."
The Supreme Court's decision on this issue is a fuse that could ignite a
confrontation between the Court and the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO- FRONTLINE: DESTROYING THE RULE OF LAW

2012-02-12T22:56:00.001+10:00

FRONTLINE: DESTROYING THE RULE OF LAW

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12,
2012 (TRIBUNE) FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares - Let it not
be forgot ever, if a constitutional crisis comes to a head, and the country will
no longer be a government of laws, but of men, that the culprit for this rule of
force is none other than Noynoy Aquino, a dictator finally emerging from his
closet, now that he is drunk with power and control over the House of
Representatives.
Not satisfied with lording it over his rubber stamp House, despite its
members having delivered the head of the Supreme Court (SC) to be fed to the
lions, he now wants not only full control of the high court but also of the
Senate.
With the high court having issued an indefinite temporary restraining order
sought by the Philippine Savings Bank against the disclosure of Chief Justice
Renato Corona's dollar account, he, along with his aides, has called on the
senator-judges not to obey the SC's TRO, which is no different from telling the
nation that the rule of law should no longer be obeyed; only his rule — or
whatever he and a subservient SC say is the rule, and his law that must be
followed.
What he does not realize is that, by calling on the senators to ignore the
TRO, just as his Justice secretary, Leila de Lima, ignored the SC's TRO on her
clearly illegal and unconstitutional hold departure order against the Arroyos,
and just as his Finance Chief Cesar Purisima and BIR Chief Kim Henares ignored
the TRO issued by the high court on a tax collectible, he has placed the Senate
as an institution, in serious question by way of its independence and integrity
— should the senators decide to ignore the SC's TRO.
If the Senate does ignore the TRO, it not only will be throwing out of the
window the tripartite republic system of government, but will also be a full
partner of the madman in Malacañang in destroying the rule of law and the system
of checks and balances, giving its imprimatur to the rule of the mob in
Malacañang.
Will these senators — at least the majority — go along with Noynoy and obey
his wish to destroy the rule of law in this country?
The nation knows that his lapdogs in the Senate will. They have already made
their position against the SC TRO public, claiming, as stupidly as their
political master in the Palace claims, that they, as an impeachment court, are
superior to the high court and that the SC cannot question their rulings, as
they are supreme.
Yet the Constitution is clear: The SC has the sole power and authority to
intervene in questions of law and interpret the law and the Constitution, as it
is its sole interpreter, and it has been mandated by the people, through the
ratified Constitution, to rule on whether there has been grave abuse of
discretion committed by any agency in government.
Some senators and congressmen always claim that theirs is the voice of the
people and that which they do by way of impeaching the SC head is what the
people mandate them to do.
But that is a limited view of being the voice of the people, because it is
also the people who had mandated the constitutional provisos existing today when
the Filipino people ratified the 1987 Constitution.
And what the Filipino people mandated is for the existence of three separate
branches of government, co-equal and with separate and distinct functions under
a tripartite system of government.
The people too, have mandated, as the Constitution states, that the Supreme
Court be given the power of judicial review, which means that the people have
authorized the high court to be the final reviewer of constitutional questions
and has the final say on what the law is.
What the high court cannot do, is to overturn a verdict of conviction of an
impeached official who will have been found guilty by the Senate court.
All other violations committed by the impeachment court can be ruled by the
high court, and not by Noynoy and his mob.
What the people did not mandate if for a president of the republic to destroy
that which they had mandated, as Noynoy must know, all government power emanates
from the people — not Noynoy.
Throw away the rule of law, and we will have turned into a chaotic nation,
doing what we want and ignoring whatever the law says.
If such happens, put all the blame on Noynoy and those who heed his
unconstitutional marching orders.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-AT LARGE: THOUGHTS ON THE IMPEACHMENT

2012-02-12T22:55:00.001+10:00

AT
LARGE: THOUGHTS ON THE IMPEACHMENT

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12,
2012 (INQUIRER) At Large By: Rina Jimenez-David - If I
haven't written anything yet about the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief
Justice Renato Corona, it isn't for lack of interest. In fact, I follow the TV
coverage religiously, and track its progress by radio when I'm on the road.
The trouble is, however much I keep my eyes and ears glued to the
proceedings, much of what's said tends to rush by above my head. Hindi ko na
ma-reach. Never mind the preponderance of Latin terms and verbose flourishes.
When the trial is over, and the defense and prosecution hold their respective
press conferences, I find myself vacillating from one side to the other. With
both panels claiming victory or at least scoring a legal point, I often wonder
if it's possible for the opposing sides to both be right, or to have won the
day.
And then there are the numerous legal experts who sit on the panels of TV
stations. They're there to clarify the proceedings, to explain in layman's terms
what just went on in the Senate floor. But often, the experts tend to becloud
the proceedings with their own interpretations. I often feel like all the
lawyers involved, the defense and prosecution, the spokespersons, the legal
experts and many of the senators who are themselves lawyers, are speaking in a
code designed to keep out the rest of us non-lawyers.
This is why I'm thankful for the participation of senators like Lito Lapid
(yes, Lapid) and Ping Lacson, who, not being lawyers, end up asking the sort of
questions that occur to ordinary viewers but which we keep to ourselves for fear
of being seen as stupid. Indeed, what is the difference between a "cash advance"
and a "loan"? And when is one act a crime and another legitimate practice?
I've had time to think about the trial and there are some questions and
points I'd like to raise, if only in hopes of helping me understand better
what's going on, and help readers as well.
* * *
A witness for Megaworld Corp., from which the Coronas are alleged to have
purchased condominium units in swanky Bonifacio Global City, has testified that
the family of the Chief Justice received hefty discounts on the purchase price
of their units. The witness said this was because the Coronas paid in full much
sooner than expected, and because a typhoon had wreaked damage on the unfinished
unit.
When the prosecution hinted that Megaworld may have extended the discounts in
exchange for consideration regarding cases then pending before the Supreme
Court, the witness pointed out that in fact his firm had lost two cases at the
level of the high tribunal.
But that doesn't mean no favors were granted. A company facing a suit before
the Supreme Court may seek insurance for a favorable ruling by courting members
of the tribunal. And if the company loses the case, it may write off the expense
of the "courtship" to public relations, to buying goodwill for future cases. And
perhaps, to learning a lesson about counting your chickens before your eggs
hatch.
* * *
Early on in the process, Corona himself warned that the House and the Senate
were risking a "constitutional crisis" by putting the legislature and the
judiciary on a collision course. But impeachment is itself a constitutional
creation. If the framers of the Constitution – and the people who ratified it –
thought the impeachment and trial of an official like the Chief Justice would
weaken the framework of our government, then they would surely have enshrined a
different process for ousting a non-elected senior official. And this may be why
the Supreme Court, with the exception of the Chief Justice, sat back and allowed
the Senate trial to proceed.
If anything, it seems to be Corona, and his lawyers, who are apparently
intent on making the two co-equal branches of government clash head-on. Now they
have asked the high tribunal to move its ass and step into the fray, first by
ruling on the right of the prosecution to open Corona's dollar deposits to
scrutiny; and then to putting a stop to the entire impeachment proceedings.
In my view, it's unfortunate that the Supreme Court agreed to hear (with
unseemly alacrity) the issue of opening Corona's dollar deposits, when a clear
exemption allowed by law is a court order allowing the lifting of the bank
secrecy rule. Does not the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, have the
right to issue such an order?
As for the petition to stop the proceedings completely, I hope wiser and
cooler heads among the justices prevail. Impeachment is a legal and
constitutional procedure put in place to make accountable even the highest
officials of the land. For the Supreme Court to step into the fray now is
precisely to weaken the delicate balance of power envisioned by the framers of
the Constitution.
* * *
We must also keep in mind that in the past few weeks, we have been "treated"
only to the prosecution's side of the story. We don't know exactly how much
longer it may take for the prosecutors and their private lawyers to wind up
their presentation, but the senator-judges – and the viewing public – face many
more months of a contentious and complicated trial.
Once the prosecution winds up its case, it's the turn of the defense, and we
can expect the same degree of vigilance and barrage of non-stop objections from
the prosecution, although I can't imagine the soft-spoken Rep. Niel Tupas
pouncing on defense lawyers with the same vehemence as lead defense counsel
Serafin Cuevas.
I must also express my marvel at the capacity of Senate President Juan Ponce
Enrile to follow the proceedings and issue rulings to break any impasse. The
other senators (and many viewers and listeners) may space out and tune out any
part of a testimony, but Enrile is expected to be on his toes all the time. How
he does it is beyond me.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-GLIMPSES: CORONA AND BEYOND

2012-02-12T22:54:00.001+10:00

GLIMPSES: CORONA AND BEYOND

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12, 2012
(INQUIRER) By: Jose Ma. Montelibano - If we are to gauge
things from the advocacies that individuals and groups devote to reform of
institutions and public agencies, one would be shocked at the utter lack of
initiatives for reform in the Judiciary.
This gives the impression that there is little or no concern about the state
of affairs in this very important branch of government, presumably because there
is no cause for alarm.
In contrast, the Executive and Legislative branches of government have been
perennial targets of not only criticism but reform initiatives as well. The most
known and persistent advocacy is popularly known as "good governance."
Every election, and often in-between, the cry of the opposition, justified or
magnified, is good governance, meaning that the incumbent is unable to govern
well.
Electoral campaigns themselves allow the people to hear the criticisms and
accusations in a hyped manner, often overdoing what media does on a daily basis.
Beyond that, elections allow the people to get rid of unwanted public officials
– or install new ones who bear new hope of a better tomorrow.
Because of elections, the most criticized public officials are changed
without the need of impeachments.
What about the Judiciary?
The current impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is not only
about the highest symbol of law and justice, it is also about to open Pandora's
Box.
The Chief Justice is not any better, or worse, than the collective Supreme
Court, the collective Court of Appeals, and the lower courts all over the land.
Despite the often rabid public statements of support being given by many judges
in the Judiciary, there is an awful silence about how ideal a model Corona is,
how so much of an example he is of propriety and probity, how inspiring his
public and private life is to citizens in search of leaders who show the best
way.
The defense of Corona is almost totally based on the claimed inability of the
prosecution to prove its case, or the superior technical abilities of the
lawyers who defend him.
They do not talk about the utter innocence of a man unjustly accused. Rather,
they allege there is no proof beyond legal doubt that violations have been
committed. By technicality, impropriety is not an impeachable offense even
though it is a fundamental requirement of any public office.
Remember the phrase, "… of good moral character… "?
Being someone of not good moral character is not about law but about
compliance to a value system that asks more from public officials before they
are even allowed to be appointed.
And Chief Justice Renato Corona was appointed. By Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as
a president whose term was ending in a matter of weeks, against all expectations
of the spirit of the law behind midnight appointments. And to think that it had
to take a bizarre interpretation of the majority of her own appointees to make a
midnight appointment not really so.
The majority of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court penned a decision
to favor not just Corona but Gloria herself.
The Supreme Court did not tell Gloria to appoint Corona; it was Gloria who
appointed Corona and asked the Supreme Court to see it her way, to see midnight
as mid-afternoon.
The first public impropriety was that of the Supreme Court when they favored
one man against one Constitutional provision.
The greater impropriety was that of Corona. He cannot claim that he inhibited
himself in the voting of whether midnight was not midnight.
It is so debasing to the intelligence of the Filipino public to make them
believe that there is no other relationship or transaction that can happen
outside of the actual voting process.
Corona accepted the unacceptable. He accepted the change of definition of the
meaning of midnight. By accepting the unacceptable, it was tantamount to
affirming the majority definition, the majority vote. Corona could have declined
and then made an honorable man of himself, a man for others.
What is he now?
He is an embattled Chief Justice who was judged not credible, not
trustworthy, by the majority of the public even before the trial – this despite
the vociferous actuation of judges and lawyers who took his side.
Corona carries the burden of association with a former president who might
yet be the third Philippine president making it to Guinness Book of Records as
among the world's greatest thieves.
He carries the burden of being seen as her way out of the cases she had
anticipated to be filed against her after her term. It is a heavy burden to
carry when he today stands accused of benefiting illegally from his position.

His SALN is spotty, suspect and exudes a bad odor. Now, he tries his best not
to allow his bank statements to be examined. Another bad move on top of a bad
association.
The impeachment and guilty verdict for Corona is not victory for me, it is
only a step towards the victory that really matters – the reform of the
Judiciary and the return to honor, finer morality and higher ethics of those who
practice inside or beside the Judiciary.
The final impeachment and removal of a Chief Justice may be sensational, but
the Pandora's Box made up of lawyers, judges and justices is the greatest
blessing to a race and a motherland.
It is not law that sets the standards of morals and ethics, it is morals and
ethics that create laws benefitting the common good.
It is not law that defines justice, it is justice that demands law to follow
and ensure it.
For too long, we have allowed the law to play calisthenics and acrobatics
with justice and fairness. In the process, the Filipino people have lost almost
all faith in lawyers, judges and justices – in the very system that is the
guarantee of their innocence and, more than that, their well-being.
I did not begin my attention and writing about the impeachment trial to
condemn Corona.
I did so hoping that the focus of public interest in it would provoke the
nobler part of the Judiciary and the legal profession to rise above the din.

I was wrong. The trial so far just points to the flaws, not of legal
arguments, but of the human beings entrusted to deliver in graphic and inspiring
ways the true spirit and sense of justice.

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: JOHN LLOYD, ANGEL LOCSIN DO 'INTIMATE' SCENES IN 'UNOFFICIALLY YOURS'

2012-02-12T22:53:00.001+10:00

JOHN LLOYD, ANGEL LOCSIN DO
'INTIMATE' SCENES IN 'UNOFFICIALLY YOURS'

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12, 2012 (ABS-CBN) Upcoming film "Unofficially
Yours" will stay close to reality in portraying sexual intercourse between two
people, director Cathy Garcia-Molina said.
In an interview with Push.com.ph, Molina explained why there are several bed
scenes in the movie starring John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin.
"Nilagay ko 'yung intimate scenes not for anything, pero kasi kailangan ko sa
kwento. At nilagay ko 'yun hindi para sabihin sa young viewers na 'ito ang gawin
niyo.' Nilagay ko 'yun kasi 'yun ang realidad," Molina said.
In order to depict "reality," Molina went to certain lengths she said were
challenging and daring for John Lloyd and Angel.
Recounting her previous project with John Lloyd ("My Amnesia Girl"), Molina
said the young actor's role in "Unofficially Yours" had him much less clothed in
comparison.
"Talagang walang natira sa kanya (John Lloyd). Hindi ko naman ito-totally
nude siya," Molina said. "'Yun ang iiwan ko sa imahinasyon niyo."
"Actually, hirap na hirap kami kasi in reality, kapag nag-se-sex ka naman
wala ka namang balot eh, wala ka namang takip. But this is film and you want the
audience to watch nang hindi naman sila na-o-offend. Lalagyan mo ng cinematic
light, but as much as possible we want to show what's true and what's real."

This "true" and "real" treatment of the subject made Angel very nervous, as
it entailed her to bare more skin than she is used to for her role.
"Si Angel talaga kinabahan. Namumula siya at grabe ang lamig-lamig ng kamay
niya. Kasi first day of shooting love scene agad," Molina said.
"Paano niya na-overcome 'yung nerbyos? Kailangan nararamdaman niya na
protektado siya, na hindi siya nababastos, na kailangan ko siya maghubad at
mag-plaster kasi kailangan ko sa eksena. Hindi dahil gusto ko sabihin 'Oy si
Angel nakahubad o!', hindi eh. It's never the intention of the film or any of
us."
What the film intends, Molina said, is to show the reality of being in a
casual relationship, albeit with a touch of "comedy to lighten up the feel" of
the story, which she terms as "matapang."
For her part, the box office director said that "at the end of the movie,
naniniwala pa rin ako do'n sa regular type of relationship, 'yung traditional
kind na girlfriend-boyfriend."
"Unofficially Yours" will be showing in theaters on February 15, under Star
Cinema.

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: SEN. MANNY VILLAR & MRS. CYNTHIA VILLAR: MEANT FOR EACH OTHER

2012-02-12T22:52:00.003+10:00

SEN. MANNY VILLAR & MRS. CYNTHIA
VILLAR: MEANT FOR EACH OTHER

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12, 2012 (PHILSTAR) CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo
(PHOTO - Partners in love, partners at home, partners in business, partners
in more ways than one. Their love story would make a good movie. PHOTOS by ENIE
REYES)
Valentine Special
It's 2:30 Sunday afternoon, a week before Valentine's Day.
Sen. Manny Villar and his wife, former Las Piñas Congresswoman Cynthia
Aguilar-Villar, both in flaming red since they just came from the taping of the
Valentine episode of TV5's Cocktails, arrive holding hands at their Mandaluyong
mansion, bought for an undisclosed amount from the Laurels (later including the
big house next door where the late Vice Pres. Doy Laurel and wife Celia
Diaz-Laurel lived for years with their children).
It's a huge un-lived-in house and the Villars, whose residence is in Las
Pinas City, drop by only every now and then. They're here today only for the
pictorial-interview.
"They don't sleep here," volunteered a member of the Villar staff. "The
three big rooms upstairs have never been slept in." (The Villars must be good
bosses. Proof is that their employees, including the three lady staffers who
attend to us, have nothing but praises for them.)
The receiving room has two sala sets. In one nook, at the foot of the
winding stair leading to the second floor, is a piano that is never, if ever,
played. The walls are covered with hand-painted floral artwork. Near the
entrance, a portrait of Manny's dominates a wall, signed Celia Diaz-Laurel. "She
gave it to me as a gift," said Manny.
They sit down at the long dining table for a late lunch, a simple lunch —
clubhouse sandwich for Cynthia and chicken with white rice for Manny, with fried
tilapia on the side ("My favorite," he says). Dessert was sugar-free ice-cream
and fruits (cherries, grapes, bananas, etc.). Cynthia, a diabetic (on oral
medication but not insulin-dependent), says that she's careful with her diet.

[PHOTO - The couple has three well-brought-up children: Paolo, 35;
Mark, 33, incumbent Las Piñas Congressman; and Camille, 26, all business
graduates.
Over that simple lunch, Conversations leads the couple down memory lane.
Married for "44 years" (you'll find out why it's in quotation marks in a while),
they are as loving as ever. During the pictorial, it isn't hard to make them
look lovingly at each other's eyes. How sweet! After all these "44 years," what
keeps their marriage strong and stable, untainted by not a hint of scandal
(unlike the marriage of most celebrities, political or showbiz)?
How do you usually spend Valentine?
Cynthia: We just go out. This time, we are hosting a concert in our mall in
Las Pinas, with Robert Seña and his wife Isay Alvarez as stars. I told Manny,
"We should watch so the people could see us together."
Don't you have private moments together?
Cynthia: Our private moments are during Christmas and New Year when the whole
family go abroad and stay there for two to three weeks. That has been a family
tradition for 25 years.
How often do you say "I love you!" to each other?
Cynthia (Joking): Hindi na yata!
Manny (Also joking, addressing Cynthia): Uso pa ba sa atin 'yan?
Cynthia (Seriously now): What counts is not what you say but what you do.
Sasabihin mo ngang "I love you!" every day pagkatapos lolokohin ka, eh di,
balewala rin 'yon.
(To Manny) Do you still give Cynthia perhaps flowers or chocolates even if
there's no special occasion?
Manny: Basta ako, standard lang, it's always flowers. It's not anymore
material things. I give her flowers even if there's no special occasion.
[PHOTO - The Villars are as lovey-dovey as ever, 37 years after they
got married in a simple Christian wedding with only 60 guests because they were
scrimping.
(To Manny) What is Cynthia's favorite flowers?
Manny: Gusto n'ya 'yung nagtatagal.
Cynthia: Orchids, especially. Kapag birthday ko or Valentine's.
What about your wedding anniversary…how do you celebrate it?
Cynthia: Usually with the family. We were married on Sept. 13, 1975; we were
both 25. We are celebrating our 37th anniversary this year.
Manny: For the longest time, we've been spending Valentine's with the family.

Cynthia: But then, they have their own Valentine's, so kaming dalawa na lang
ni Manny.
Do you have little fights or arguments like any typical couple?
Manny: Mayroon din naman, paminsan-minsan.
Cynthia: Not about ourselves. We argue about issues.
Manny: Not about politics…rarely about business.
You are partners not only in love and in business. (Aside from the Villar
Foundation, the couple manage their housing business. One is the Camella Homes
for low-income families, the second Lessandra for middle-income families and the
third is the upscale Brittany.)
Manny: Yes, we are partners but what we do is that, 'yung area na mina-manage
n'ya hindi ko mina-manage. 'Yung mina-manage ko naman hindi n'ya mina-manage. We
try to reduce the areas of friction. My area is housing and her area is malls.
But we do compare notes.
[PHOTO -The Villars at their 'un-lived-in' Mandaluyong mansion, with
artistically hand-painted walls, on one side of it hangs a painting of Manny
done by Celia Diaz-Laurel, and a piano that has never been played
Cynthia: We help each other but in the end I decide for myself and he decides
for himself. I have the final say in my area and he has the final say in his
area.
So you don't fight about, well, third parties?
Cynthia: Walang ganoon.
Manny: We understand each other. Siya ang unang girlfriend ko.
Cynthia: One and only. If you ask him how long we've been married, he would
say, "44 years!" I would remind him, "Manny, don't say that baka akalain nila
ang tanda-tanda na natin." Kasi before we got married, we went steady for about
seven years.
You were campus sweethearts, right?
Cynthia: We were classmates at UP; we graduated together. We both took up a
business course. We were like barkada.
Were you scholars at UP?
Cynthia: No, we were not. At that time, mura ang tuition fee sa UP…P167 per
semester.
Manny: I was a working student. I helped my mom sell fish in Divisoria. We
were poor talaga.
Cynthia: Ang family namin upper-middle class. My father, Dr. Filemon Aguilar,
was then mayor of Las Piñas. (Her brother, Vergel Aguilar, is the incumbent
Mayor of Las Piñas City. —RFL)
How did the courtship start?
Cynthia: We started as friends. As young people would say, mag-MU kami,
Mutual Understanding.
Paano nanligaw si Manny?
Cynthia: Mabait 'yan. My parents liked him because bukod sa mabait,
he's hardworking. We were living in Las Piñas and he was living in Tondo, and
yet he would visit me at home. At that time, ang layo n'un; para kang pumunta sa
probinsya.
Manny: So I was happy when we were at UP because we would see each other
every day. At that time, before I started visiting her at home after graduation,
I didn't have an idea where Las Piñas was.
Cynthia: We were in the south and he was in the north. At that time, Las
Piñas was small time, very simple, wala pang mga malls.
Uso noon ang theme-song/theme-song. Did you have any?
Cynthia: We had none.
Paano kayo nagdi-date?
Cynthia: We watched movies. Si Manny kasi mahilig manood ng sine at kumain ng
siopao na binibili n'ya sa Kowloon House. At that time kasi, he was already
working in Makati.
Manny: And she was then already teaching at FEU. We would go out on a date
after work, ang baon namin sa sine 'yung matamis na saging. It's still my
favorite.
Cynthia: We would watch movies at Odeon, Universal, Avenue, State, Galaxy,
Ever and other theaters in Recto and Avenida. All those theaters are gone. How
sad, 'no?
What kind of movies did you watch?
Cynthia: I was fond of action movies and Manny liked comedy. Dolphy was his
favorite. Sometimes, we would watch action movies together and sometimes comedy.
Or we would compromise.
(To Cynthia) How did Manny propose to you?
Cynthia: Wala lang; bigla na lang.
Manny: It just happened.
(To Cynthia) Did he give you an engagement ring?
Cynthia: No. Wala ngang pera 'yan, eh!
If Manny didn't have money, who paid for your dates?
Cynthia: Siya!
Manny: Tipid na tipid kami noon.
How did you start your business?
Cynthia: We started our business with P1,000 in 1975 after our marriage. Many
people don't believe that that was our capital. Manny worked at a loaning
company kaya alam n'ya kung paano kumuha ng loan na mababa ang interest. We used
the P1,000 as down payment for a truck kasi we delivered gravel and sand to
builders of houses. That's how we got the idea of building houses.
(To Cynthia) You stood as one of the principal sponsors at the recent
wedding of Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani
Soledad. What were you thinking while you watched Shalani march down the aisle?

Cynthia: Sa panahon ngayon, magastos magpakasal.
Manny: Our wedding was very simple. There were only 60 people present, mostly
members of her family and my family. We had only one pair of sponsors.
Cynthia: Nagtipid kami, baka maubos ang pera namin…kasi we were putting up a
business.
Manny: It was a Christian wedding, with the ceremony and the reception held
at the Intercon Hotel.
Cynthia: I'm Protestant; he's Catholic.
Manny: Our plan was to invite only immediate members of our families. Kaya
dumami kasi ang laki pala ng immediate family nito. We were nine siblings, kasi
namatay ang isa sa charity ward ng ospital. He was six years old.
Cynthia: I have brothers and sisters.
Your marriage is as strong as ever. What's the secret?
Cynthia: We share the same interests. Malaking bagay 'yung pareho kayo ng
hilig. We are both simple. The more simple your life is, the less the
temptations.
How do you raise your children (all Business graduates: Paolo, 35, from
Wharton; Mark, 33, from University of Pennsylvania, is a Congressman; and
Camille, 26, now Willie Revillame's co-host in the TV5 game show Wil Time
Bigtime, from Ateneo)?
Cynthia: We never spoil them, especially with material things. Mababait sila.
Wala sa kanila nagpasakit ng ulo namin. We don't meddle in their love life. Our
only advice is for them to find somebody na hindi magpapahirap sa kanila, 'yung
tutulong sa kanila.

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-SB: STARWEEK COVER STORY:OH KRIS!

2012-02-12T22:52:00.001+10:00

STARWEEK COVER STORY: OH
KRIS!

MANILA, FEBRUARY 12, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Doreen G. Yu (Cover photo
by Mark Nicdao) - When The Philippine STAR began
publication over 25 years ago – on July 28, 1986 – it was a six days a week
paper, since our founder, the late Betty Go-Belmonte, insisted on a day of rest
as the Christian faith mandated.
But when the clamor for a Sunday edition mounted, Betty decided, instead of a
regular issue, to have a news magazine-type edition on Sundays.
Thus was born STARweek, with its first issue coming out on February 14, 1987.
It was on broadsheet format, and contained summaries of the news of the past
week, as well as feature stories and columns.
On our first cover was Kris Aquino, youngest daughter of then President Cory
Aquino. It was Kris' 16th birthday, and she was on the threshold of a career in
show business.
[PHOTO - Kris Aquino with her mother President Corazon Aquino. Val Rodriguez/Star]
Although she was the youngest of five children, Kris was easily a standout.
At age seven, when her father, the late Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., ran in
the 1978 parliamentary elections, it was Kris who stood in for her imprisoned
father at campaign rallies, wowing the crowds at every stop. She even made it to
the front page of the New York Times and Time magazine.
She joined her family in exile in Boston when Ninoy was finally let out of
prison to seek medical treatment in the US, and the family spent several happy
years there, even as Ninoy made the rounds rallying support for the anti-Marcos
movement.
In 1983, Ninoy decided to return to the Philippines, despite warnings from
the Marcos government that there was a plot to assassinate him. He was indeed
gunned down at the airport even before he could set foot on Philippine soil, but
not by "communist assassins" as claimed by the government.
Kris came home with Cory, her three sisters Ballsy, Pinky and Viel and
brother Noynoy, and was a strong if precocious figure at rallies against the
Marcos regime. She was then 12 years old.
Then the 1986 People Power revolution, which 26th anniversary will be marked
later this month, happened, Marcos fled and her mother Cory was president of the
Philippines.
[PHOTO - Her brother President Benigno Aquino III (left) and the
Aquino family at Malacañang after his inauguration.]
Through all these upheavals and historic events, Kris was a dynamic presence
– articulate, forceful, convincing, at ease in the spotlight, unperturbed by all
the attention. It was no wonder then that she would gravitate towards show
business, and despite her mother's – and perhaps the rest of the family's –
objections, she made her first television appearance in 1986, and even starred
in a short-lived comedy show that bore her name.
Fast forward to a quarter of a century later, and Kris is one of the hottest,
most sought after celebrities in town. She has a string of television talk shows
(the most successful of which was "the Buzz" which she co-hosted on and off with
her best friend Boy Abunda for ten years) and game shows to her name, as well as
a magazine, "K The Kris Aquino Magazine," chronicling her style, her personality
and her lifestyle.
Her movie career started in 1990 with the comedy "Pido Dida," a blockbuster
that saw her crowned box office queen of the year. While her acting has not
always drawn rave reviews, she did get the critics' nod with a nomination for
"The Fatima Buen Story." In 2002 she picked up a best supporting actress trophy
for "Mano Po," Regal Films' commercially successful series about a
Chinese-Filipino clan.
[PHOTO -President Cory is joined by her children and grandchild
Joshua as they view the bloodied clothes of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. at the
exhibit at the Aquino Center. Val Rodriguez/Star]

She has had more hits than flops, with the 2006 horror film "Sukob" becoming
the highest grossing Filipino film.
What accounts for her celebrity though is much more than television and
movies; it is, to a large degree, Kris herself. Then presidential daughter, now
presidential sister, TV host, actress, campaigner, product endorser (she is
ranked number one among celebrity endorsers), you may love her or hate her, want
her out of the country for the duration of her brother's presidency or can't get
enough of her... Kris Aquino is an unmistakable force, a presence in Philippine
life that cannot be ignored. As we started our publication with her on our
cover, we are marking our 25th year with her again on our cover, this time with
her sons Joshua and Bimby, in this photo taken exclusively by Mark Nicdao for
STARweek.
President Cory is joined by her children and grandchild Joshua as they view
the bloodied clothes of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. at the exhibit at the Aquino
Center. Val Rodriguez/Star
She has had more hits than flops, with the 2006 horror film "Sukob" becoming
the highest grossing Filipino film.
What accounts for her celebrity though is much more than television and
movies; it is, to a large degree, Kris herself. Then presidential daughter, now
presidential sister, TV host, actress, campaigner, product endorser (she is
ranked number one among celebrity endorsers), you may love her or hate her, want
her out of the country for the duration of her brother's presidency or can't get
enough of her... Kris Aquino is an unmistakable force, a presence in Philippine
life that cannot be ignored.
As we started our publication with her on our cover, we are marking our 25th
year with her again on our cover, this time with her sons Joshua and Bimby, in
this photo taken exclusively by Mark Nicdao for STARweek.

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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PHNO-P-NOY: AQUINO PRAYS FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE

2012-02-12T22:50:00.001+10:00

AQUINO PRAYS FOR GOD'S
GUIDANCE

[PHOTO - AFTER THE SERMON President Benigno
S. Aquino III speaks with Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak after the Holy Mass and
'Prayer of Entrustment of Our Country and People to Mother Mary' at the Shrine
of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Pasay City Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (Photo by ALI VICOY)]
MANILA, FEBRUARY
12,
2012 (BULLETIN) By JC BELLO RUIZ - President
Benigno S. Aquino III asked Saturday for guidance from God in achieving his hope
for "a society of truth and freedom, of genuine justice and solidarity for all,
of love and peace."
On Saturday, the President attended the prayer for public officials in the
celebration of the Catholic Church's Universal Day for the Sick at the Villamor
Airbase in Pasay City.
In the "Prayer of Entrustment of our Country and People to Mother Mary," led
by the President, he asked for guidance so that his administration could
overcome the difficulties the country has been facing to achieve justice,
reforms and progress.
"You know how strong our desire is and how difficult the task has been, for
us to raise up for ourselves, a society of truth and freedom, of genuine justice
and solidarity for all, of love and peace; a society where all may have work and
due livelihood, food enough on their tables, homes for their families and
security for their children; dignity in community; inviolable respect for life
in all its stages; of self-giving, compassion and sharing; a society where
everyone is – in some true measure – brother, sister and friend."
"All these we long and work for, but we know we cannot truly bring about,
except with God's gracious guidance, His constant help, the wisdom and strength
and courage only He can give us, in His fidelity and love," a portion of
Aquino's prayer stated.
The event, held at the Shrine of Saint Therese of Child Jesus, was also
attended by some members of the President's Cabinet, government officials,
police and military officials as well as church leaders.
"Today, Blessed Mother, as we move forward to the 500th year of the
Christianization of this land, you bring our lives the purposes and aspirations,
our labors and strivings, for you and for Jesus your son," the President said in
his prayer to the Virgin Mary.
The event is also part of the "A Million Roses for the World" campaign
initiated by the Family Rosary Crusade of the Philippines. The campaign is
intended for Filipinos living in the Philippines and other parts of the world to
pray the rosary for world peace.

PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

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