OPTIMISM OF THE PALACE ON IMF PROJECTION

        “I believe the International Monetary Fund ((IMF) will be surprised when our gross domestic product (GDP) growth exceeds their targets. We’re looking at five to six percent growth. In any case, what’s equally important as the growth is the fact that it is being felt by a greater portion of the population,” said Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang, who expressed optimism that it would be able to prove the IMF is wrong in its projection that the Philippines would be the dawdler in economic growth among the ASEAN nations this year and in 2013.

          Secretary Carandang cited the government accelerated infrastructure spending, tourism development and higher agricultural production as factors that would lead to the country’s growth.

          In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), the IMF said the country’s GDP would grow 4.2 percent this year and 4.7 percent in 2013 after slackening to 3.7 percent last year from 7.6 percent in 2010 due to weak global trade and cautious spending by the Aquino government.

          The projected GDP growth this year for the Philippines  is slower than Indonesia’s 6.1 percent, Vietnam’s 5.6 percent, Thailand’s 5.5 percent and Malaysia’s 4.4 percent.

          But the government has been reporting some good news on the economic front. Growth of Philippine exports in February was reported at 14.6 percent, the highest growth since April 2010 driven by a rebound in electronics shipments, boosting hopes for stronger economic growth this year. The amount of foreign direct investments (FDI) in January 2012 also reached $766 million. In the previous year, the total FDI inflow was only $214 million for the same period.

          The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in their Asian Development Outlook for2012, said “forecasts for 2012 and 2013 assume that the government will raise spending, follow through on its commitment to improve the business environment and carry out some of the planned public-private partnerships, which include airports, highways and water supply operations.”

          The IMF sees the GDP in Asean-5 expanding by 5.4 percent this year and 6.2 percent next year from 4.5 percent last year. The multilateral lender sees the GDP in Asia growing six percent this year and 6.5 percent next year from 5.9 percent last year after activity across the region slowed during the last quarter of 2011, reflecting both external and domestic developments.

          In emerging Asia, adverse market developments were correlated with countries reliance on euro area banks, which have already begun reducing their cross-border lending.

          Asian banks are generally in good financial health and many large Asian banks have sufficient capacity to step up lending further.# ART

BINAY FOR PRESIDENT ON 2016

          Former President Erap Estrada said recently that Vice President Jerjomar Binay is the United Nationalist Allliance (UNA) one and only presidential bet in 2016 elections.

          UNA is the coalition formed by Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and Binay’s PDP-Laban.

          “He was my running mate in the 2010 elections. There is only one list for president in UNA, and that is Vice President Jejomar Binay.” Estrada said during the launching of the tribute book for him at the Enderun Colleges at The Fort in Taguig City.

          Estrada also introduced Binay as the “future president” of the country during the event. However, UNA has yet to convene its executive committee to choose its senatorial candidates for the coming 2013 elections. The former chief executive also said that he is seriously considering the strong clamor for him to run as mayor of Manila.

          “Right now, it’s 50-50. There are plenty of offers. I was born in Tondo Manila. The people of Tondo were responsible for where I am right now, why my movies and FPJ’s (Fernando Poe, Jr.) became blockbusters. But I have not decided yet. Not yet. I will study it further,” Erap said.

          Meanwhile, Estrada welcomed very much the decision of boxing champion  and Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao to move to PDP-Laban.

          “That is good for the UNA,” Estrada said. For his part, Binay also welcomed entry of the Pambansang Kamao to PDP who said, “I warmly welcome Cong. Manny Pacquiao to PDP-Laban. He is an inspiration and a source of pride for all Filipinos, especially the people of Sarangani.”

          “More than his stature as a sports icon, Manny has genuine concern for his province mates, and is sincere in his desire to serve.” # ANT

REACTION OF PLASTIC MANUFACTURERS ON PLASTIC BAN ISSUE

          The National Ecology Center which was mandated by law to be created under the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), is supposed to guide the government on steps needed to enforce waste segregation, recovery and recycling.

          However, the center that is supposed to play key role in solid waste segregation and management and in the development of a recycling market has yet to be organized 12 years after its existence was legislated.

          “In so many ways, this center will provide the scientific support for measures to keep cities and municipalities clean and environmentally friendly in terms of waste management,” said Peter Quintana, president of the Philippine Plastics Industry Association, Inc.

          Quintana added that the plastic ban has no scientific backing and creates new problems and inconveniences. This is the reason why highly urbanized cities abroad which tried it before, have backtracked and resorted to regulating instead of totally banning the use of plastic bags.

          “We hope this center is organized soonest because the plastic ban is taking its toll on the industry and on the public which has lost access to an all-weather, all-purpose material that is food safe and very convenient,” Quintana said.

          The plastic man said also that the ban has environmental costs since to produce one 183-gram cotton bag requires the use of 320 gallons of water. Likewise, to make one paper bag requires one gallon of clean water, which is what it takes to make 116 plastic bags. He added that the plastic ban is founded on nothing more than the misimpression that plastic bags clogged the drainage systems which cause floods.

          “This is not science at work. Plastic is only a small part of the total debris. The real reason is our refusal to properly dispose of our waste, be it plastic, paper, rubber, wood and many others. This is where the National Ecology Center is needed,” said Quintana, the plastic man.

          The proposed center is also mandated to develop a national recycling network which is very important because, it will generate businesses devoted to keeping the country clean while at the same time creating jobs and small business opportunities nationwide. Quintana concluded that the center is strategically important in addressing the plastic issue and the bigger waste management problem. # ART

5 million tourists are expected this year

           Target influx of tourists for this year is 4.6 million, however, if present trends continue, it may exceed its target according to President Aquino who spoke at the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum.

          Likewise, with new developments like the inclusion of Palawan’s Underground River as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the government is very confident that it would be able to reach its target of achieving 10 million tourists by 2016 according to Touriam Assistant Secretary Bong Benzon, right after the launching of the new country brand and the tourism reforms that are being carried out.

          “Yes, we are confident of having 10 million foreign arrivals by 2016,” reiterated Benzon during the 19^th Travel Tour Expo 2012 which was organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA).

          Bengzon added that the government is working on the improvement of air access to the country, as well as the marketing and development of tourism destinations. On the part of the private sector, hotels and resorts must increase their guest capacities and train their frontline service crew to conform to global standards.

          There were 3.58 million foreign tourists who visited the Philippines last year which is higher than 2010, which was 3.45 million only. This year, the Department of Tourism expects to attract four million tourists or more.

          The PTTA president Aileen Clemente said that they are cooperating with local government units for the promotion of local destinations. She noted that the recent inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the New Seven Wonders of Nature list will attract more tourists to the island.

          “We are very bullish about the pride of Puerto Princesa City right now,” concluded Clemente. # ANT

IMPRESSIVE GROWTH OF PRU LIFE uk

          For the past three years, Pru Like UK Philippines affirmed that its premium income has grown by an average of 78 percent, capped by the remarkable 33.33-percent growth as of last year.

          It was noted that in 2009, premium income was recorded at Php 3.5 billion, Php 7.8 billion in 2010, and it grew to Php 10.4 billion last 2011. The enormous leap in premium growth catapulted Peru Life UK from sixth largest insurer in 2009 to fourth largest in 2010.

          The growth in premium income was attributed to the strength of its agency force and indirect relations with foreign banks.

          “We were able to achieve these level of sales without a bancassurance distribution network,” said Antonio Manuel G. de Rosas, Pru Life UK chief executive officer for the Philippines.

          Pru Life UK operates solely on its 3,000-strong agency force and a brokerage arrangement with Citi and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). Of the first-year premiums last year, the agency force accounted for roughly 60 percent of total while the brokerage arrangement accounted for the remaining 40 percent. Meanwhile, declared net profit grew from Php 640 million in 2010 to Php 682 million last year.

          First-year premiums, including single premiums, reached Php 8.1 billion while renewal premiums, those collections made from existing policies, amounted to Php 2.3 billion. First-year premiums are first-time policies written, while single premiums are policies that require one-time payments. # Alerto Research Team

WIND POWER PROJECTS BY GREENERGY

         It has been reported earlier that Greenergy Holdings is determined to invest at least  $1.3 billion or Php 55 billion based on the prevailing exchange rate – to develop wind power projects in the Philippines for the next 10 years. It was known that it had teamed up with China-based Tianjin Tianbao Investment & Development Corporation (TTIDC) for a joint development, funding and operation of the proposed renewable energy projects. A memorandum of agreement was earlier signed by the two parties.

          Based on the said agreement, the two companies will establish a joint venture vehicle to plan the development of wind energy projects that could generate at least 1,000 megawatts. An initial investment of $200 million for the projects is expected to be infused within the first two years.

          It is also stated in the agreement that the parties would plan the establishment of the first turnkey project, a 49.5-megawatt (MW) wind energy project composed of 33 units of 1.5-MW wind mills. The project is expected to start operation within one year from the time the joint venture was established, as Greenergy Holdings reported. However, the company did not identify the possible sites it was eyeing for the wind projects

          It will be noted that in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange by Greenergy Holdings, its board had approved the capitalization of the renewable energy company and authority was granted to them “to make deposits for future subscription of up to Php 300 million.”

          In the MOA, parties concerned may also consider other renewable projects such as biomass, solar, hydro and geothermal energy, but they will prioritize the wind energy projects.# Alerto Research Team

POPE APPEALED ON ADULTS FOR CHILDREN’S PROTECTION

          Pope Benedict XVI appealed on adults to protect and to care for children and sent a message to minors suffering from violence, in a speech in the Mexican city of Guanajuato.

          Amid complaints from sexual abuse victims that the pope would not meet them in Mexico, Benedict referred to the mistreatment of children, without specifically mentioning Catholic priest pedophilia scandals of recent decades.

          “I wish to lift up my voice, inviting everyone to protect and to care for children, so that nothing may extinguish their smile, but they may live in peace and look to the future with confidence,” the pope said before hundreds of cheering children from the balcony of the ornate Casa Del Conde Rul, where he earlier met with President Felipe Calderon.

          In his first public event on his second day in Mexico, the pope made a special mention of Mexican children who have to bear the burden of suffering, abandonment, violence or hunger.

          Thousands of children have been orphaned by Mexico’s drug violence – which has left some 50,000 dead since the government started a military crackdown on organized crime in late 2006.

          In a country where violence is an open wound for many families, the pope also warned young people against revenge.

          “The disciple of Jesus does not respond to evil with evil,” he said. The pope has faced criticism during the visit over the Vatican’s management of Mexico’s most notorious pedophile abuse offender, Marcial Maciel, the founder of the influential Legion of Christ order, who died in 2008.

          Mexican victims of sexual abuse accused the Vatican of protecting Maciel for decades and expressed frustration that Pope Benedict XVI would not meet them here.

          In only his second trip to the world’s most Catholic continent, the pope, who turns 85 this month of April, is visiting Silao, Leon and Guanajuato in Mexico before travelling to communist Cuba. # Alerto Research Team

# # #

SENATOR-JUDGE MIRIAM DIVULGED ON SURVEYS 

          Before the break of the impeachment trial in the later part of March this year, Senator-Judge Miriam Santiago blurted at the survey firm Pulse Asia for releasing results showing 40 percent of the respondents found Chief Justice Renato Corona guilty in the impeachment trial which started in January 16, 2012.

          Sen. Santiago pointed at the survey firm of engaging in a scornful act when it released last month results of its survey in advance of the final verdict of the Senate impeachment court.

          The lady senator well-known for her bizarre style in legislation and as a judge in the impeachment court, noticed that there was a big portion of respondents who were actually ambivalent of what would be the result of the impeachment trial.

          “They were not affected at all by the negative response of the public. There was a clear effort to manipulate the results of the impeachment trial,” said the belligerent senator.

          Miriam justified also why Chief Justice Corona got somewhat low trust and approval ratings on the survey, comparatively speaking with those of President Benigno Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Jose Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.

          “They did not explain that during surveys, the Chief Justice’s results are low because his post is not political. That is the reason., In fact, he should not even be included there. Not merely talking of the present chief justice but of all the chief justices,” Sen. Santiago noted.

          Santiago added that comparing to the jury practice in the United States, the senator-judges in the impeachment court are not isolated from the trial by publicity being waged against the Chief Justice.

          “This is a very blatant case of trying to influence the senator-judges. If that is the case, that is already contempt, they are just lucky because the judges now are very aware, especially those who are seeking re-election for 2013 that they should not aggravate the media,” said Santiago who warned some quarters that further trial by publicity would not sit well with the defense which issues could be used in a possible mistrial.

          “They should be held in contempt because what they are doing is very clear. Do they want to be treated the same, trial by publicity? And there is a big possibility that there will be a mistrial because according to the Constitution, if there is too much trial by publicity they could declare a mistrial but we cannot apply it,” Said Santiago in Pilipino who added that if in case there is a mistrial, the only thing they can do is to transfer the venue of the trial but they don’t have such other available venue to transfer.

          “We will only be in session up to June 7, that’s barely one month, then we will have sine die adjournment. We only have one month left so we should not be distracted,”

          The lady senator did not rule out the possibility that the two camps would be exerting efforts to court for votes in favor or against CJ Corona, to either convict the chief justice, in the case of the prosecution, or acquit him, in the case of the defense.

          “Absolutely, I’m sure it’s going to take place, both sides. Because there is leisure to see each person, each senator face to face. They cannot spend the entire one month abroad, sooner or later, you have to face your fears,” Senator Miriam said in one of her interview over the radio.

          The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is now on its six-week Lenten break since March 23. Its session and trial for the chief justice will resume on May 7.

          Of the 23 senators, 16 votes is sufficient to convict CJ Corona while for acquittal, he needs at least eight votes in each of the remaining three Articles of Impeachment.

          As expounded by legal luminaries, acquittal must be obtained in Articles 2,3, and 7. A guilty vote in one article would spell Corona’s ouster from office, with penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.

          Santiago emphasized that enticement can come in the form of support for any of the senator-judges who are seeking for re-election, taking into consideration that the administration can use its resources to support one’s electoral bid.

          Nevertheless, the lady senator said that Corona supporters should not get too much bothered. It is because the chief justice maintains support of some huge groups from various sectors, one of those is the INC known for their united stand in voting during elections. Although previously denied by the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo, their bible exposition at the Quirino Grandstand in February was reportedly, a show of force in supporting Corona.# Alerto Reportorial Team

# # # 

“NO PLANS TO OUST THE PRESIDENT”

RETIRED GENERALS SAID

          Association of Generals and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGPO) denied the reports about the supposed plans to oust President Aquino. Raul Urgello, president of the organization, expressed that he is very confident that there is no such plan to oust Aquino. He added that he have talked to his group and they do not know anything about it

        “I have not heard from our group of any ouster plot for the president,” said Urgello. “Spreading unreliable information that is not based on facts would certainly not be good for the country,” added Urgello.

          He believes a destabilization plots is a serious issue. He claims anyone who has knowledge about the supposed ouster plot should provide details like the identities of those behind the plans.

          “Those who stage coups have dissatisfaction with the way maybe the administration of the government is being handled. I don’t see any reason. There should be a strong reason to do something as serious as that,” he added.

          When asked to react relative to the claim of Sen. Anrtonio Trillanes IV that some retired generals are recruiting soldiers to join ouster plots, Urgello said, “Maybe he knows something which I don’t. Perhaps, we should ask him.”

          Early last month, the president claimed that those opposed to his reforms want him out before his term ends so they could continue their corrupt ways.

          “There are some who want to bring back the old system under which they earned lots of money. Since they know that I won’t let them do it, they want me out of the picture so that no one can go after them,” Aquino said during the celebration of the 26^th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group.

          Meanwhile, former Constabulary chief Ramon Montano had claimed members of the elite who are unhappy with Aquino’s reforms are behind the reports about ouster plots.The former Constabulary chief did not provide details to back his claim.

          Sen. Trillanes then revealed that some retired generals had started recruiting soldiers to join anti-Aquino ouster plots last month.

          Trillanes, who led a failed uprising against the Arroyo administration in 2003, said he had urged Aquino to conduct counter-intelligence operations to prevent a possible coup.

          The senator added that various issues like the supposed harassment of Navy men tagged in the death of Ensign Philip Pestano and the cases filed against retired general Jovito Palparan were used to lure the soldiers to join the ouster plot.

        The military, however is clueless on the supposed destabilization plot against the present administration.# Alerto News Team

DALAWANG PORSIYENTO LAMANG ANG MGA ILLEGAL NA FILIPINO SA USA

          Sa kasalukuyan, 59 porsiyento (59%) ng 11.5 milyong mga banyagang naninirahan sa Amerika na walang kaukulang mga dokumento ay mga Mexicano. Ang dahilan ay sapagka’t magkalapit lamang ang dalawang bansa kung ikukumpara sa mga Asyano.

          Samantala, dalawang porsiyento (2%) lamang ng naturang bilang ang mga Filipino na walang proper immigration documents batay sa pinalabas na ulat kamakailan ng US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

          Ayon pa rin sa report, napakaliit lamang ang ipinagkaiba ng bilang na ito na nailathala nuong 2010 (11.6 milyon) sa kasalukuiyang bilang.

          Ang iba pang mga bansang may mga illegal immigrants sa Amerika ay ang El Salvador, 6%; Guatemala, 5%; at Honduras, 3% na pawang nagbuhat sa Central America.

          Tulad ng Pilipinas, ang apat (4) pang mga bansa na may 2% lamang ang bilang ng mga pumasok ng illegal sa ‘land of milk and honey’ ay ang China, South Korea, India at Vietnam, ayon sa DHS. # Alerto Research Team

REASSIGNMENT FOR AFP OVERSTAYING PERSONNEL

            Reassignment of more than 4,000 military personnel who have been overstaying in their respective posts shall be implemented upon order of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa. The move was intended to promote  professionalism and transparency in the military, as explained by AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos, Jr.

            Dellosa and Burgos said that they see it fit to further implement  the rotation of overstaying AFP personnel as an opportunity to practice military professionalism in the organization.

            The AFP spokesman said that the reassignment would be implemented in three phases, namely the identification of personnel due for rotation, implementation and completion of the rotation, and the evaluation phase. He however said that the rotation does not seek to hamper the operations of affected units or offices.

            “It is only imperative for any government organization to exercise all means in ensuring that sensitive positions, especially that of finance and logistics, are held by accountable, professional and skilled individuals. There is nothing anomalous if a soldier stays in his assignment for more than three years, however, overstaying in an assignment could hamper a soldier’s career,” Burgos said.

            Col. Burgos further said that more than 4,000 AFP personnel are overstaying in various positions in the General Headquarters and unified areas beyond the ideal period of three years will be the subject of the rotation. Among those affected by the move are more than 20 officers who have occupied finance and logistics posts for more than three years.

            It was reported that some of those officers have performed finance and logistics-related tasks for as long as seven years. It was confirmed from Dellosa recently of their reassignment and that this was intended to advance their careers.

            Burgos further said that the rotation would give priority to soldiers who have held their positions beyond ten years. Their pending reassignment  will be implemented in the second quarter of this year.

            “Some soldiers have stayed for more than three years in their post because of their commendable performance. Sometimes, the commanders want them retained in their posts,” Burgos concluded. # ANT

CHARGES AGAINST ABALOS ET AL…

            The Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed 11 additional counts of electoral sabotage against former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos and former chair of South Cotabato’s Provincial Board of Canvasser, Lilian Suan-Radam before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 117. Esmeralda Ladra who is the head of the Comelec legal department filed the information and was raffled already recently which ended up in the sala of Judge Eugenio de le Cruz. Ladra told that the case was originally filed with the RTC branch 114, which issued a warrant of arrest against Radam.

            If we could recall, Radam surfaced last October 2011 at the Department of Justice (DoJ) and implicated Abalos in the alleged election fraud.

            “We withdrew the case against Radam and re-filed it, this time including chairman Abalos,” Ladra said.

            RTC clerk of court Luithe Cabangunay said the judge will study the case before setting the date of arraignment.

            Meanwhile, Atty. Brigido Dulay who is the counsel for Abalos said that they are ready to face the charges in court.

            The complaint alleged that Abalos and Radam tampered falsified and bloated the votes of administration senatorial candidates in the Provincial Certificate of Canvass during the May 24, 2007 national canvassing.

            Allegedly, the tampered election results came from General Santos City and the municipalities of Polomolok, Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Koronadal, Norala, Sto. Niño,Surrallah and Tantangan.

            The alleged tampered election results were submitted to the National Board of Canvassers, which was then canvassing the senatorial election results at the Philippine International Convention Center PICC) in Pasay City.

            James Jimenaz, the Comelec spokeperson said that based on the additional complaint, they find Abalos personally instructed Radam to come up with a 12 – 0 result in favour of administration candidates.

            Beneficiaries of the supposedly tampered results for senators were Senator Joker Arroyo, Edgardo Angara, Ralph Racto, Mike Defensor, Prospero Pichay, Jr., Tito Sotto, Vicente Magsaysay, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Luis Singson. According to Jimenez, additional charges were filed against Abalos because he was not included in the previous complaint filed against Radam. # ANT

YOUNG DE VENECIA TO TESTIFY

            PDP Laban secretary-general Joey de Venecia III disclosed that since his filing of the graft cases against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, he has been receiving death threats.

            The young de Venecia lauded his father, former speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. for his testimony in the graft cases filed against former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos relative to the $329 million national broadband network (NBN) deal with ZTE Corp. of China.

            “In addition to all his services to the nation, I am taking my hat off to my father for his bravery and courage in standing up for the truth. This is an important step in our efforts to make accountable those who abused power,” de Venecia III said.

            Former speaker de Venecia, Jr. will be appearing as a prosecution witness against Abalos and then, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, along with her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo. Younger de Venecia confirmed that the trio dined and played golf with officials of ZTE Corp. in Shenzhen, China in November of 2006 and later, they discussed about the NBN-ZTE project.

            If we will remember right, younger de Venecia was the one who exposed the NBN-ZTE scandal in the Senate which result was the ousting of then Cong. Jose de Venecia, Jr. as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

            “As I have done in the past, I am willing to testify against the perpetrators of this robbery against the Filipino people. When I exposed the ZTE scandal, I had to take security measures at my own expense because of threats to my life. If the intention of the death threats is to deter me from testifying, then they are mistaken. I have sacrificed before,I am willing to do that again, “said young de Venecia. # ANT

DepEd – DTC Teamed Up in “Kariton”

            The Department of Education (DepEd) is adopting the K4 learning program to reach out street children, out-of-school youth, and school drop-outs delivered through the alternative learning system.

            DepEd has teamed up with the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) under the stewardship of CNN Hero of the Year 2009 Efren Peñaflorida to scale up his “kariton” education model for mobile delivery of education services to out-of-school youth in depressed urban areas in the country.

            Initially, the K4 program will implement the “kariton” delivery style developed by Peñaflorida which made him to be chosen as the CNN Hero of the year 2009.

            Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in the launching ceremonies of the program recently, “we say out of the box because it employs a novel way of making education and other basic social services accessible to underprivileged children initially in the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan and Pasig.

            K4 program which was initiated and developed by Dynamic Teen Company, utilized “kariton” (pushcart) as “klasrum” (classroom), “klinik” (clinic), and “kantin” (canteen) to look for its intended clientele. In relation to these as its educational materials, a simple kit containing medical care and food are to be shared to the  “pupils” right after the learning session.

            Targets of the program are street children whose ages range from 5 to 15 year-old, most specifically those who never attended school or who have dropped out with the objective of reintegrating them into the formal school system.

            The program focus on the learning areas which are: 1) values formation which includes good manners and right conduct; 2) literary classes which teach daily living skills, language and mathematics; & 3) a play center to make learning enjoyable.

            “One of our goals here is for the learners to understand and appreciate learning which  they can apply in their own families and to the community,” Secretary Luistro stressed.

            Volunteer teachers  will be manning the “kariton” in teaching children using various learning tools until such time that they are ready to be integrated in public schools at a grade level appropriate to their age And skills. Health of the participant learners will also be monitored, like basic hygiene such as right washing of their hands and brushing of their teeth. After they have attended the three learning areas, food will be provided to them. # ANT

P-NOY IS A WALKING ENCYCLOPAEDIA

            That was how Grace Lee, the apple of the eye now of President Benigno “Noynoy” Simeon Aquino III, stated when asked about her relationship with the president by her New York-based co-anchor Mo Twister in her show “Good Times in the Morning” recently.

When asked how long will it last, the Korean-born radio and TV personality replied, “The full length and our dates would lead to the altar which I’m praying for.”

Coincidentally, President Aquino was celebrating his 52^nd birthday (February 8, 2012) when Grace Lee said they were destined for each other and soon, for the altar.

However, during the said program, Mo Twister has a prediction that the relationship of the two may last until August. When the phone was opened to the listening public, various answers of duration were received.

There were scepticism by those who have used to know the President’s short-lived relationships with different women since he assumed the presidency. The alleged romance between the 29-year-old Lee and the 52-year-old Aquino started during the inauguration of the Korea Electric Power Corp. in Brgy. Colon in Naga, Cebu last June 27, 2011 through Lee’s talent manager Arnold Vegafria who heard that the President remarked in the vernacular, “siya ay guapa” (pretty)! Their next meeting took place during the state visit of Korean president Lee Myung bak last November 2011 where Lee was in the palace as an interpreter and host of the occasion.

President Aquino admitted that he has been dating with Lee however, he requested the media to grant him the privacy he is entitled to. Lee has been very vocal during media interviews who disclosed that she and the President were dating and talking for three to five hours.

“He is brilliant, he is the most intelligent man I’ve ever met in my life. The President is a…..”walking encyclopaedia!” Lee said with enthusiasm.

If we could remember, the president has been linked with Valenzuela councillor Shalani Soledad, who recently married Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, stylists Liz Uy and stockbroker Len Lopez. # ANT

BISHOPS DIFFER STAND ON CORONA’S TRIAL

      Bishops have different stand on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona when the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) told the senator-judges to respect the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court recently.

            “There is a law of secrecy for dollar accounts. It is more academic for the Senate to respect the TRO,” said CBCP president Jose Palma during an interview over the radio.

            Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa City in Batangas said also that the impeachment trial should be stopped, “to save the country from institutional disaster.” According to him, officials accused of wrongdoing should be tried in court.

            “The charges of corruption must be done in another forum and when proven guilty, the Chief Justice should be convicted and barred from any government position. The country, would then be saved from unscrupulous politicians,” added Bishop Arguelles.

            However, other bishops contradicted those stand like Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of Caloocan who said, “The impeachment court is the right venue for searching out the truth on Corona’s possible offenses. The impeachment must be finished to get the truth,” he said.

            The palace can’t believe  that the Catholic bishops have sided with the defense team in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona on the issue of his dollar accounts.

            “Unfortunately, we did not hear from Archbishop Jose Palma to ferret out the truth, which is normally the call of the CBCP,” lamented Undersecretary Abigail Valte in the vernacular during a radio interview. She further explained that just like everybody else, they only wanted the truth to come out with regard to Corona’s statement of assets, liabilities and network. She nonetheless acknowledged that it is up to the senator-judges to decide whether to abide by the freeze order.

            “The senators sitting as judges in the impeachment court do not exercise legislative functions because that is where the principle of co-equal and separate branches of government comes in,” Valte further expounded.

            However, Valte agreed with former justice undersecretary and now defense counsel Ramon Esguerra, that Corona has not yet been convicted of any crime so he should be presumed innocent.

            At this point, she argued that Corona holds a high and very sensitive position in the judiciary and therefore, he should allow the impeachment court to open his dollar account if he really has nothing to hide

            “Their defense is that, there is nothing wrong in having a dollar account.           That is correct and there’s nothing wrong. But what makes it wrong is that he did not include it in his SALN,” Valte concluded.# ANT