BIR runs after eye doctor, realty owners

AN EYE doctor and owners of a real estate firm have been added to the roster of alleged tax evaders with complaints filed against them at the Department of Justice.

Cebu-based ophthalmologist Potenciano Sto. Domino Larrazabal III, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), has been cited for "willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his income tax returns (ITRs), and willful failure to file value-added tax (VAT) returns for taxable years 2009, 2010 and 2011."

The agency said in a statement Mr. Larrazabal is the husband of singer/actress Donna Cruz.

According to the BIR, information it obtained from records with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., in particular the certificate of creditable tax withheld at source and professional fees payments notices, showed that Mr. Larrazabal earned ₱10.87 million in 2009, ₱8.88 million in 2010, and ₱9.38 million in 2011, or a total of ₱29.13 million.

However, the BIR said Mr. Larrazabal’s ITRs and percentage tax returns (PTR) showed he only declared an income of ₱1.48 million in 2009, ₱1.49 million in 2010, and ₱1.75 million in 2011, "underdeclaring his taxable income by ₱9.39 million or 635% in 2009, ₱7.39 million or 493% in 2010, and ₱7.63 million or 437% in 2011."

Further, the BIR said Mr. Larrazabal failed to register as a VAT taxpayer when his income of ₱3.18 million for the first quarter of 2009 exceeded ₱1.5 million, the minimum amount whereby a person should pay VAT.

"Rather, he only filed PTRs for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 and made it appear in said returns that he only earned ₱300,000 for the 1st quarter of 2009 and ₱1.48 million for the year 2009 which would not make him liable for VAT," read the BIR statement.

Mr. Larrazabal has been assessed a tax liability of ₱21.14 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, it added.

COLLUSION
Meanwhile, a separate complaint has been filed against Taguig City-based Philmay Property, Inc. (PPI) as well as its executives Ong Seet-Joon, Rafael Morales, Jonathan P. Ong, Benjamin Q. Lira and Michelle F. Reyes for "willful attempt to evade or defeat income tax, value-added tax, documentary stamp tax (DST) and expanded withholding tax (EWT).

Also charged were revenue officers Vicente Velario, Joseph Macuha and Noradel Mendoza who were authorized to examine PPI’s records from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

A reinvestigation showed that company officials failed to file the DST return and supply correct and accurate information on the company’s ITR and VAT return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

On a tip of "a confidential informant," the revenue agency claimed PPI "evaded the payment of the correct amount of taxes in the sum of ₱169.83 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests" after it connived with three revenue officers on the company’s deficiency taxes.

"An agreement form was completed on July 9, 2010 with the revenue officers saying that an audit examination was conducted and that the deficiency tax amounted to only ₱499,206.53," the BIR said.

"Without the cooperation of said revenue officers through the issuance of a tax assessment amounting to only ₱499,206.53 PPI could not have avoided the payment of its correct tax liabilities for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2009 which is ₱169.83 million," it added.

The BIR further noted that PPI claimed a deductible interest expense of ₱47.6 million for a loan from Maybank Philippines, Inc. (MPI).

A probe by BIR agents found out that the loan transaction was a "related transaction" since MPI is 99.99% owned by Malayan Banking Berhad (MBB) which also owns PPI by at least 59.99%.

"As such, the interest expense should not be claimed as deductible expense," read the BIR statement.

The agency also found out that PPI allegedly claimed a deductible expense worth ₱3.21 million representing salaries and wages without withholding any tax due and ₱50.2 million as operating expenses without supporting documents.

"Said schemes led to an underdeclaration of PPI’s taxable income by as much as 69.56% and the non-payment of income tax in the aggregate amount of ₱37.81 million," the BIR said.

Further, PPI allegedly failed to report ₱95.07 million of its real estate sales for 2009 which resulted in the non-payment of VAT worth ₱73.13 million, DST worth ₱15.57 million, and EWT worth ₱43.32 million. -- DEDS

DND drops plan to buy used ships, to buy new instead By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) | Updated April 29, 2013 - 6:21pm

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) is discarding its earlier plan to acquire used ships and is now planning to buy two brand-new frigates to boost the Navy’s security capabilities.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said acquiring second-hand ships would be more costly in the long run as these would require repairs and upgrades.

“We realized that it will be expensive in the long run if we are going to buy second hand (ships). As much as possible, if we have budget, we will buy new ones,” he said in a press briefing on Monday.

Manalo said they would spend about P18 billion for the two brand new ships. The government previously allotted P12 billion to buy two used frigates.

Manalo said they are waiting for the Navy to submit a decision package, which contains the technical specifications they need.

He said the two brand new ships would be acquired through public bidding. The procurement process may be completed within the second quarter.

Manalo claimed that companies from South Korea, Spain and Singapore have expressed interest to join the bidding.

The government originally sought to acquire the vessels through government-to-government transactions.

Officials, however, are now eyeing a public bidding reportedly due to the interest of several suppliers to provide equipment to the military.

A government-to-government transaction is usually faster than a public bidding but the DND is optimistic that the acquisition would not be delayed.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin previously said a public bidding would ensure transparency and would allow them to compare the ships being offered by potential suppliers.

The DND is fast-tracking the military’s upgrade program amid the recent aggressive actions of China in the West Philippine Sea, the subject of a long-standing territorial row in the region.

Officials, however, claimed that the acquisition of new military assets is not directed against any country.

To beef up its territorial defense capabilities, the Navy acquired two warships from the United States namely the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which arrived in 2011 and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which is expected to be in the country by July

The government spent more than P1 billion to acquire the two ships. - with B. Beltran

PHL suspends importation of live shrimps from Asian neighbors April 30, 2013 1:09pm

The Philippines has stopped the importation of live shrimps to prevent the spread of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS)—now prevalent in neighboring countries—among local species, the the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday.

BFAR Director Asis Perez said EMS is prevalent Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China and Indonesia. “We are dealing with a disease unknown to us, all the more that measures must be undertaken,” he said.

An EMS infected shrimp usually dies within the first 30 days of its life, according to the bureau.

It also banned the entry of crabs and lobsters which can carry and transmit the disease. The bureau said it is also monitoring the spread of EMS in Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia.

“The Philippines remains EMS-free as of the moment and BFAR is exhausting all efforts to remain so,” Perez noted. While the the cause of EMS is still unknown, BFAR said infected samples exhibit slow growth, corkscrew swimming and pale coloration. 

With the suspension, BFAR has ordered Fish Health Officers, Quarantine Officers and the Law Enforcement Quick Response Team to monitor, control and implement surveillance protocols at airports and seaports in the country.

Perez noted the situation opens up opportunities for the Philippines to revive its shrimp export industry, saying the bureau is now consulting growers to establish long-term solutions to the problems now facing the industry.

Last month, Agriculture Secretary Processo Alcala said his department is preparing the shrimp industry to again eye the export market. Diseases caused by overcrowding spelled the near-demise of the industry several years ago.

Unsanitary practices in tiger shrimp farms forced many hatcheries to close down starting 1996.

Now the Agriculture Department is studying the potential of mangrove areas in Panay, Leyte, Negros, and Mindoro as strategic production sites, said Alcala.

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) data showed tiger prawn output reached 48,196 metric tons (MT) in 2012 from 47,494 MT in 2011 and from 48,161 MT in 2010.

Production was valued at P1.89 billion in 2012 from P1.85 billion in 2011 and from P1.82 billion in 2010. — VS, GMA News

PNP monitors 15 'election hotspots' by Ira Pedrasa, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 15 priority provinces in need of a bigger security detail by the elections, noting such areas have shown incidents of intense political rivalries, and the presence of private armed groups and criminal groups.

Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II described the areas as “hotspots” but assured the public that the government will be detailing around 30,000 police personnel in the last two weeks before Election Day.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the 15 are: Abra in CAR; Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and La Union in Region 1; Cagayan in Region 2; Pampanga and Nueca Ecija in Region 3; Batangas and Cavite in Region 4A; Masbate in Region 5; Samar in Region 8; Misamis Occidental in Region 10; and Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Basilan in the ARMM.

Cerbo said private armed groups continue to be monitored specifically in these 15 areas, but noted the decline in numbers since the 2010 presidential elections.

He said the police are monitoring 48 private armed groups, compared to the 112 back in May 2010.

He said the 57% reduction is anchored on the creation of regional operations task groups tasked to rein in these groups.

He cited that in Abra, there are five groups being monitored compared to 11 in 2010. In the ARMM where the infamous Maguindanao massacre happened, private armed groups are down to 10 from 20.

He said around 206 members of these groups have been “neutralized,” meaning arrested or have surrendered. Around 359 firearms were also recovered from them.

Political rivalries

In citing the 15 areas, Cerbo also noted the “intense” political rivalries there.

Mayoralty positions garnered the most cases of political rivalries, numbering 137. Gubernatorial posts recorded 17; vice mayoralty posts recorded seven. Interestingly, 18 cases were recorded for congressional posts.

Cerbo also noted the presence of criminal groups in the areas being monitored, numbering 65 and with a membership of 725. He said the police are continuously seeking search warrants against the criminal elements.

He said the police are still pursuing “Oplan Katok”, a campaign that confiscates unrenewed and illegal firearms house-to-house.

Election-related violence

Cerbo said criminal elements can be used by some politicians to create havoc during the elections.

A total of 17 election-related violence cases have been validated so far in these 15 areas. He said this is a drop from the 33 back in 2010.

Nationwide, 49 election-related violence cases were recorded compared to 73 in 2010.

Roxas noted that the next two weeks will be crucial in securing the country against crimes. To supplement the 30,000 additional personnel, he said those in the training and administrative work will be pulled out to do field work.

He also noted that members of the police have been ordered to cancel their leaves for the remainder of the election period.

He also said they are now discussing plans with telecommunication and power firms to ensure that the elections will run smoothly.

Philippine Campaign Violations you Need to be Aware Of

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote (and who do not give a damn!). 

As the May 2013 election draws near, more and more campaign violations can be observed along the streetwalk and other campaign venues. 

Here are the set violations by our Commission on Elections: 

Unlawful Campaigning

Campaigning on Maundy Thursday, March 28

Campaigning on Good Friday, March 29

Campaigning on the eve of Election Day, May 12

Campaigning on Election Day, May 13

Foreign Intervention

A foreigner, or foreign entity, aiding a candidate directly or indirectly, or spending for a candidate’s campaign

Prohibited Campaign Propaganda

- Printed materials such as leaflets, exceeding eight and one-half inches (8 ½”) in width and fourteen inches (14”) in length

- Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any other material, whether framed or posted, with an area exceeding two feet (2’) by three feet (3’)

- Streamers exceeding three feet (3’) by eight feet (8’) in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally.

- Said streamers displayed more than five (5) days before the date of the meeting or rally or NOT removed within twenty-four (24) hours after said meeting or rally

- Use of hazardous materials in campaign materials; use of plastics in jurisdictions where plastics are banned

-Absence of this information on printed propaganda material: “political advertisement paid for,” followed by the true and correct name and address of the candidate or party for whose benefit the election propaganda was printed or aired; and “political advertisements paid by,” followed by the true and correct name and address of the payor

Source: www.philstar.com

- To print, publish, broadcast or exhibit any such election propaganda donated or given free of charge by any person or publishing firm or broadcast entity to a candidate or party without the written acceptance by the said candidate or party and unless they bear and be identified by the words “printed free of charge,” or “airtime for this broadcast was provided free of charge by”, respectively, followed by the true and correct name and address of the said publishing firm or broadcast entity

-To show, display or exhibit publicly in a theater, television station, or any public forum any movie, cinematography or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate, or in which a character is portrayed by an actor or media personality who is himself a candidate

-To post, display or exhibit any election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner thereof.

NB: “Public places” include any of the following:

-Electronic announcement boards, such as LED display boards located along highways and streets, LCD TV displays posted on walls of public buildings, and other similar devices which are owned by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, or any agency or instrumentality of the Government;

-Motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and other similar purposes that are owned by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, and other agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, particularly those bearing red license plates;

-Waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways;

-Schools, shrines, barangay halls, health centers, public structures and buildings or any edifice thereof;

Public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, trains, taxi cabs, ferries, pedicabs and tricycles, whether motorized or not;

Within the premises of public transport terminals, such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, docks, piers, train stations, and the like.

So what will you do if you see these violations? Report it. COMELEC has a program called ISUMBONG MO which is open to valid reported violations. All submitted reports to COMELEC are treated as CONFIDENTIAL unless the one reporting requests otherwise.

You can call in your valid and detailed report through the COMELEC Cebu hotline: 4169773. Manila hotline numbers are 5275574; 5259345; 5259302

For those more "techie", the COMELEC earlier called on the public to report violations on campaign rules by tweeting the poll body @comelec and using the hashtag #sumbongko. Don't forget to give out your email address and just wait for COMELEC's Direct Message (DM) where they will reply to your report or they can ask further queries regarding your report. 

You can also leave a comment or PCOSdemo fanpage. The same thing, you need to give out your email address and other contact information. 

Visit www.mycomelec.tv for more information.

Or-- you can also leave a valid comment below so we at iSTORYA.NET can also help out in reporting such violations. 

So, what are you waiting for? Be vigilant and let us help each other in having a smooth-flowing campaign period and a successful election day this May! 

And to all registered voters, do not forget to vote!

“Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honor the lives sacrificed for your freedoms. Vote.” - Richelle Goodrich

Source: www.comelec.gov.ph

Haemophilia patients demand better treatment, infrastructure

Sumitra Deb Roy, TNN | Apr 28, 2013, 06.28 PM IST

MUMBAI: This World Hemophilia Day, the city's Hemophilia Society, brought focus on how the government needs to do much more in terms of awareness, diagnosis and management of the disease. A programme to discuss these issues was organized at the Parel's KEM Hospital, where over 400 patients participated.

Out of 11,200 haemophiliacs in the state, only 2,500 feature in the registry of the State Blood Council. And even though, the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana that covers over 900 diseases, includes Hemophilia in the list, a clear demand for better infrastructure and day care centers for proper care and rehabilitation, was echoed by patients.

President of Mumbai's Hemophilia Society Indira Nair said, "Not only we want to raise the awareness about the Hemophilia disease among physicians and the public, but also to provide patients who suffer from Hemophilia a total care. We are thankful to the government for making the availability of factor VIII and IX concentrates as the safest treatment option for patients with hemophilia." She said that the government will continue to support with the availability of free treatment to patients with hemophilia at all the government hospitals.

"Improving Infrastructure and establishing hemophilia treatment centre's can be one step to ensure these patients get the best care. The next step would be a creating more awareness about the disease and providing comprehensive psycho-social care mechanism for the PWH in the state," said Nair.

However, one of the major challenges for these chapters is treating poor as most of the patients are from poorest of poor background and more than 80% of patients suffering from hemophilia are undiagnosed. A wellness centre for the hemophiliac patients, the first of its kind in the city, was started at the KEM Hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jayashri Kale, professor and head Occupational Therapy, KEM Hospital said "Hemophilia is the oldest known uncommon genetic bleeding disorder that disrupts the blood clotting process. It is caused by the absence of a certain blood clotting factor in the blood. Prolonged bleeding may occur after sustaining injury or can happen spontaneously. A hemophilic has to be injected with the appropriate clotting factor on a prophylactic or demand basis to help control a bleeding episode, and each injection costs Rs 9,000. Replacement therapyof a deficient coagulation of factor VIII and IX are the safest available treatment options. We have been demanding free diagnosis and free treatment for patients with hemophilia at Government hospitals and today we have been successful in launching the first wellness centre for these patients. Thera-band exercises which are safe and effective, especially for home maintenance in the PWH are being incorporated in the rehabilitation regime.

PDEA seizes P.4M shabu in buy bust

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 04/27/2013 3:00 PM
Updated as of 04/27/2013 3:00 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities nabbed a suspected member of a notorious drug syndicate during a buy-bust operation in Makati City last Thursday.

The arrest of Antonio Medina de Leon also led to the confiscation of P400,000 worth of shabu, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said De Leon, alias “Tony”, is a suspected member of the Morales Drug syndicate which operates in the cities of Pasay and Manila.

A poseur-buyer was able to meet De Leon in a pre-arranged transaction along H. Santos Street, Barangay Tejeros.

After the suspect received the buy-bust money in exchange for sachets of shabu, weighing approximately 92 grams, PDEA agents immediately swooped down on De Leon.

De Leon now faces charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

File SALN before April 30, govt officials, employees reminded April 28, 2013 2:07pm

Malacañang on Sunday issued a last-minute reminder to public servants to file their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) on or before Tuesday, April 30.

Filing the SALNs on time is the “personal responsibility” of each government employee," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

Also, Valte said that in the case of the Office of the President, employees had been given a deadline of April 15, so a review committee can check how they filed their SALNs.

Review committees set up by individual government agencies and departments will check if the employees complied with the new guidelines of the Civil Service Commission in filing the SALNs.

“Dapat naibigay na sa review committee bago dumating ang deadline para matingnan nila (The employees should submit their SALNs to the review committees before the April 30 deadline),” she said.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman reminded public servants to file their SALNs by April 30.

Government officials and employees are to file SALNs within 30 days after assuming office, and on or before April 30, and within 30 days after their separation from government service.

Failure to do so may carry a suspension of up to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second offense. — LBG, GMA News

Aussie woman raped at knife-point in Bali

BY:BY KARLIS SALNA, 
AAP SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT 
From: AAP April 29, 2013 5:37PM

AN Australian woman assaulted as a knife was held to her throat during a violent robbery in Bali is believed to be the latest victim of a serial rapist.

The 28-year-old from Perth was attacked in the early hours of Saturday morning after being woken by an intruder who had entered her room at Villa Damais in Kerobokan where she was staying with family.

Details of the horrific assault emerged on Monday with the woman telling police she was first forced to open a safe in her room, before being raped while a knife was held to her throat.

The attack occurred as seven other members of her family, including children, slept in rooms inside the rented villa on the popular holiday island.

"The victim was then threatened with knife by the perpetrator," a spokesman with the North Kuta police, Reinhard Habonaran Nainggolan, told AAP.

"His right hand held the knife while his left hand held a flashlight.

"She was under threat of knife that she could not make a sound."

The woman was treated at a local hospital and returned to Perth with her family on Sunday.

Police said that the woman's description of her attacker matches that of a man believed to have carried out previous rapes.

A number of people were involved in the robbery.

"They entered the villa by jumping on to the wall," Mr Reinhard said.

Three iPads, two mobile phones and about Rp1.5 million ($A150) in cash were stolen.

It is the latest in a spate of violent incidents in an area of Bali popular with tourists, especially Australians.

In March, Mercedes Corby was bashed by a gang in Kuta as she returned home from a party.

The older sister of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby needed minor surgery after suffering a broken nose and bleeding to the cornea during the assault.

NPA rebels torch equipment

By Annabelle L. Ricalde
 Tuesday, April 16, 2013

ABOUT 40 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned on Monday the equipment owned by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and the mini-packing house of Agrinanas Development Corporation Inc., police said.

The rebels burned the Dole’s bulldozer and three backhoes used in the proposed banana plantation in sitio Tapon in Barangay Mat-I, Claveria town at 1:30 a.m. on Monday.

At 7:00 a.m. on the same day, the mini-packing house of Agrinanas Development Corp. Inc. in Libona, Bukidnon was also burned by at least 15 NPA rebels wounding an employee identified as Jewersky Revilla after he was reportedly shot.

Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) spokesperson Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga said the rebels’ intent of burning the equipment is extortion and harassment to the company affecting agri-workers and employees.

“We could not find any other motives than extortion. That is really their aim and it has nothing to with the environment,” Cariaga told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro in an interview on Monday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) condemned the NPA attacks as inhuman and a violation of human rights especially that employees of Agrinanas are non-combatants.

Edgar Nanolan, president of the Employees Union of Agrinanas Development Corp. Inc., has been worried over the burning of the mini-packing house in Libona, because the management has already warned to pull out its business and leave the area if the NPA attempts to attack its plantation.

Nanolan said the NPA rebels burned the equipment after Agrinanas didn’t respond to the demands of the armed group. He said the management informed him of the money the NPA allegedly demanded from the firm.

“The deadline they gave to the management was supposed to be on Sunday, so we were relieved nothing happened on that day, but they staged their attack today (Monday)” he added.

In a radio interview, Jorge ‘Ka Oris’ Madlos, NPA spokesperson, who confirmed that the NPA rebels were responsible for the incident, vowed to continue their operation until the companies stop their banana expansion and leave the area.a

PNoy vows arrest of NPAs in Guingona attack

MANILA (UPDATE) - President Benigno Aquino on Monday vowed that government troops will track down New People's Army (NPA) rebels who attacked a convoy carrying Gingoog Mayor Ruthie de Lara Guingona.

Guingona, wife of former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and mother of Senator TG Guingona, suffered serious injuries but survived the attack.

"Nabalitaan naman po natin ang pag ambush kay Ruth Guingona," Aquino said in a speech in Misamis Oriental. "Nangangako po ako na sa abot ng ating kapangyarihan at kakayahan, at sa ngalan po ng batas, mananagot po ang dapat managot. Huhulihin at dadakipin po natin ang mga taong nasa likod ng karahasang ito."

Aquino also visited Guingona in a hospital where she is recuperating.

The 78-year-old Guingona went under the knife because of injuries sustained in a clash between members of the communist group and her police escorts.

Her son said she is still in pain after she suffered fractures in her arms and legs, as well as shrapnel wounds in different parts of the body.

Guingona was on her way home from a fiesta last night when they passed an NPA checkpoint.

Her 2 aides, brothers Nestor and Bartolome Velasco, were killed.

"They alleged that they fired upon my mother because my mother breached a policy of bringing arms in their checkpoint. The persons that were carrying the arms are members of Philippine National Police," Sen. Guingona said in a press statement.

"The New People’s Army has fired upon an elderly and innocent woman who is already bowing out of politics," he said.

"We would like to remind everyone in this country that there is only one government of the Republic of the Philippines. There is only one President who is in-charge in executing the laws of this land. That is President Noynoy Aquino. He is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And most importantly, he is the leader of this nation. No one has the right to usurp the laws of this country," he added.

Casiño blasts NPA attack

The attack has drawn wide condemnation, including criticism from left-wing senatorial candidate and former party-list lawmaker Teddy Casiño.

"I strongly criticize the New People’s Army’s military action on Mayor Ruthie Guingona’s convoy that resulted in the death and injury of civilians. What happened is wrong and unacceptable," he said. "Civilians, especially women and the elderly, should be spared from such actions."

"Although the NPA has admitted its mistake, we expect them to make a thorough investigation, hold those responsible to account, take remedial actions and make amends to the victims’ families," he added.

"My prayers go out to Mayor Guingona and for her speedy recovery. Likewise, I condole and offer my prayers to the families of her two companions who were killed," he said.

Palace: Don't give in to NPA demands

Malacañang also condemned the NPA attack and said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is ready to protect candidates from NPA threats.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda asked local politicians not to give in to demands of the NPA for protection money.

"The AFP is fully aware and they have taken steps also to ensure that the politicians are spared from all these permit-to-campaign," Lacierda said.

"Those in the local [campaign] can inform us and we let our AFP units go and make sure that there are no NPA checkpoints. This is not tolerated under this system of government," he added.

Lacierda said that the government remains committed to continue peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF but said that the group should show its sincerity.

"It's obvious that the CPP-NPA-NDF is not interested in pursuing peace talks with us. Our position has been very, very clear. We are committed to resolving the internal armed conflicts peacefully. However, there seems to be disconnect between the Netherlands and the people on the ground," he said.

"So is it worth discussing peace with them? Certainly, we would like to pursue peace talks with them but the burden is on the CPP-NPA. If they want to do so, we will pursue peace with them. If they are not interested in pursuing peace then we will be prepared to defend our citizens." - with reports from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News; Primy Cane, ABS-CBN News Northern Mindanao

 ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 04/22/2013 11:55 PM | Updated as of 04/23/2013 2:09 AM

Drilon on Comelec resolution on polls: Don’t shoot the messengers

 By Cathy Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013  |  12:17 pm

MANILA, Philippines — Team PNoy campaign manager Senator Franklin Drilon welcomes the resolution of the Commission on Elections requiring survey firms to reveal the political parties and other interested individuals who commission or subscribe to their reports.

“This is for the sake of transparency.  however, we should not be shooting the messengers, they are just carrying the message. We have to learn from the message,” Drilon said in a news conference at the Liberal Party headquarters in Makati City.

Drilon shot down speculations that results regularly released by the Social Weather Station, Pulse Asia and other surveyors could be manipulated.

“These firms have more to lose uf they do that. Remember that political (clients) are only a small portion of those who commission or subscribe. They just happen to be more prominent at this time,” he said.

Drilon added that survey firms rely more on private businesses seeking feedback on products.

This community, he said, was sensitive to consumer feedback and would not tolerate such manipulation.

Lawmakers receive P10.6-B 'pork'

by Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) appears to be speeding up the release of pork barrel funds to senators and congressmen, many of whom are seeking reelection or other posts in next month’s polls.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted pork barrel funds from the ban on the release of money from the national treasury provided these are not used for election purposes.

As of last Friday, the DBM website showed that a total of P10.6 billion of the P25-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) had already been released. PDAF is the official name of the congressional pork barrel.

The P10.6 billion is almost double the P5.8 billion that was out as of March 8, or less than a month ago.

Of the P10.6 billion, P9.4 billion has been made available to members of the House of Representatives and P1.2 billion to senators.

Of the amount released to House members, P7.6 billion was for those elected from legislative districts and P1.8 billion for party-list groups.

Among the recipient-lawmakers are senatorial candidates of the administration Team PNoy coalition and the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

The biggest recipient is reelectionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III of Team PNoy, who has received P167.3 million.

Senate colleagues Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes IV, who are also seeking reelection under the administration coalition, have received P90.5 million, P88.8 million, P7.3 million, and P30 million, respectively.

Some P50 million has been released to another Team PNoy senatorial candidate, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.

UNA candidates are also getting their share of the pork barrel. Sen. Gregorio Honasan has received P54 million, while Reps. Joseph Victor Ejercito of San Juan and Jack Enrile of Cagayan have received P32 million and P15 million, respectively.

The campaign managers of the administration and the opposition are also getting their share. Some P41 million has been made available to Sen. Franklin Drilon of Team PNoy and P16 million to his UNA counterpart, Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco.

Other senators who have received their allocations are Edgardo Angara, P80.2 million; Pia Cayetano, P12.1 million; Jinggoy Estrada, P95.5 million; Juan Ponce Enrile, P5 million; Teofisto Guingona III, P31.2 million; Ferdinand Marcos Jr., P51 million; Sergio Osmeña III, P82.5 million; Francis Pangilinan, P98 million; Ralph Recto, P23 million; and Manuel Villar Jr., P49.5 million.

Vicente Sotto III and Lito Lapid have availed themselves of their full half-year allocation of P100 million each.

There are no entries in the DBM website for Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon Revilla Jr., while Joker Arroyo and Panfilo Lacson have not been using their annual P200-million fund since their election to the Senate more than 11 years ago.

Party-list groups that have been disqualified by the Comelec are among the recipients of pork barrel funds.

These groups have questioned the Comelec decision before the Supreme Court, which has decided to return their cases to the poll body with a new set of parameters for qualifying or disqualifying them.

They have received their share of pork barrel funds even if the Comelec insists on their disqualification.

They include Ako Bicol, which has received P90 million; Alliance for Democracy and Nationalism, P35 million; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives, P35 million; and 1st Consumers’ Alliance for Rural Energy, P69.8 million.

Meanwhile, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the Aquino administration should tap pork barrel funds to finance programs under the Magna Carta for the Poor.

“If they are going to utilize (pork barrel) properly, it will really help the poor and not coursed it through the hands of legislators because that is not their job,” said Pabillo, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace.

Last month, President Aquino vetoed the proposed Magna Carta for the Poor, explaining that it would be a “mission impossible” for the government to allocate around P3.3 trillion from the P2-trillion annual national budget to fund the programs outlined in the bill.  – With Evelyn Macairan, The Philippine Star

DBM releases P575.3M for school furniture

By Jovan Cerda (philstar.com) |
Updated April 29, 2013 - 11:04am

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management released a total of P575.3 million to purchase school tables and other furniture in the bid to improve educational facilities in the country, the state agency announced on Sunday.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the fund came from the Department of Education's approved budget under the General Appropriations Act for this year. The disbursement followed the P10-billion release last month for the construction and repair of school buildings nationwide.

“Besides meeting President (Benigno) Aquino’s goal to close the longstanding classroom gap within the year, we also want to ensure that all school buildings will be equipped with enough school tables and chairs. This will help ensure that students will no longer learn their lessons in cramped classrooms, where children are forced to share chairs or remain standing just so they can attend their classes,” he said.

He added that the additional furniture will help students to focus on their lessons and improve their academic performance.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will get the lion's share of the budget with P88 million. This is followed by schools in the Bicol region (P69 million) and the National Capital Region (P56 million).

DepEd said arts and trade schools, which include technical and vocational schools, will be prioritized in the allocation of newly purchased furniture.

Mrs. Binay urges Sandigan to discard contempt charge

FORMER MAKATI City Mayor Elenita S. Binay has asked the Sandiganbayan on Thursday to junk the request of state prosecutors to cite her for contempt of court for traveling abroad without permission from the court.

"The prayer to cite the accused in contempt should accordingly be denied," said the wife of incumbent Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

This, as Mrs. Binay left the country on Mar. 18 to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Francis in Vatican City, despite the lack of permission from the court’s fifth division where she faces a graft case, said state prosecutors in a "Motion" filed last Apr. 2.

They added that the third division, whose justices are in-charge of signing resolutions of the fifth division justices as they were in Cagayan de Oro City for hearings, granted her travel authority issued only on Mar. 19, making it insignificant as Mrs. Binay was already abroad.

In the said motion, state lawyers also asked the court to hold accountable "officials of the executive branch" who let her fly out of the country amid the court’s hold departure order. The prosecution did not specify any name.

On the other hand, Mrs. Binay told the anti-graft court’s fifth division that the mere request of state lawyers cannot start contempt proceedings against her as court rules require a petition with original supporting documents and paid docket fees.

"...[I]n all cases other than those initiated by the Honorable Court ... contempt proceedings may not be initiated by a mere motion, but through a verified petition with supporting particulars and certified true copies of pertinent documents or papers and full compliance with requirements for filing initiatory pleadings for civil actions," she stated.

"Instead, the motion is anchored on an unverified and unconfirmed news report from an online edition of a national daily," she added.

She also opposed the state lawyers’ request to null her P30,000-travel bond which she has not yet withdrawn.

"With respect to the prosecution’s prayer for the forfeiture of her travel bond, herein accused opposes the same for utter lack of basis."

Mrs. Binay faces a graft case in the fifth division for giving undue advantage to Office Gallery International, Inc. via a rigged bidding, wherein a padded contract worth P72.06 million was awarded to the said firm for the purchase of office furnitures and fixtures for the new Makati City Hall in 1999.

By: http://www.bworldonline.com

Drilon’s ’12-0′ called ‘mind conditioning’

DUMAGUETE CITY ­- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay once again dismissed the 12-0 target of Liberal Party (LP) campaign manager Sen. Franklin M. Drilon as “impossible“ due to the groundswell of support for United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Senate bets on the local level.

But the Vice President expressed concern that Drilon’s impulsive optimism may be directly described as “mind conditioning.“

In a press conference last week, Drilon accused UNA of mind conditioning that there will be “massive cheating“ in Mindanao brought by the power outages.

Binay said the concerns being raised by UNA with regard the possibility of massive cheating in the middle of the power crisis in Mindanao are legitimate issues and not just a baseless agitation.

“Kung mind-setting ang paguusapan natin eh guilty si Drilon dun. Ang mind-setting ni Drilon, 12-0. Pwede ba naman yung 12-0? That is a concrete example of mind setting,“ Binay said.

Even LP ally Sen. Serge Osmena said that Drilon’s 12-0 dream is unrealistic and impossible to achieve, saying that the LP campaign manager is threading a dangerous and twisted path.

Drilon said in a press conference that the massive cheating in Mindanao which UNA allegedly fears is a form of mind conditioning.

UNA said that massive cheating in Mindanao is a matter of fact and not a product of any imagination or fear.

Posted by Online on Apr 29th, 2013