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Calgary Edition
PLANET
19 PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
JULY 16-31, 2011
20 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
BY PEPPER MARCELO
ENNYLYN Mercado quickly went from stardom to single motherhood in her young career. One would think having a baby at 22 would spell doom for a young actress, especially in our conservative showbiz culture. However, as she’s proved to all and sundry that she’s a survivor, beginning with a difficult childhood to a failed romance and being a single mother at the peak of her career. Despite her successes in front of the camera -she is currently appearing in the TV series Footbulilit while her last movie was Rosario (based on TV5 owner Manny V. Pangilinan’s family) last year – her personal life has not been as smooth. Her succession of real-life partners has become an ongoing soap opera, continually providing tabloid fodder which has mesmerized the public.
JENNYLYN MERCADO
I WILL SURVIVE!
As if her battered childhood was not enough to mold her into a strong and resilient person, Jennylyn survived two traumatic failed relationships in her young life. A single mom at 22, she is hopeful that she would eventually find happiness and fulfillment. Originally from Las Pinas City, Jennylyn came from a troubled environment, suffering physical abuse from her mother’s partner when she was only four yearsold. Overcoming early hardships, she became a commercial model, eventually making her showbiz debut in 2003 with GMA-7’s talent competition Starstruck, besting hun-
dreds of hopefuls from all over the country and crowned “The Ultimate Survivor” in the female category. Coming off of Starstruck, she and male category winner Mark Herras were paired as the next big love-team, propelled by GMA-7’s formidable publicity machine. The couple became wildly successful and gained legions of fans through projects such as the films Blue Moon and Su-
per Noypi, as well as the TV shows Joyride, Encantadia and I Luv NY, among others. Fans hoped that a romance would bloom off-camera. Though a relationship developed, it was only to be shortlived (from 2004 to 2005). Jennylyn and Mark have since remained good friends. In 2007, Jennylyn had a brief relationship with young ac-
The bitter lessons she learned from her mistakes have made Jennylyn a stronger and resilient person.
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21 PHILIPPINES
DEBT
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“Before I called 4 Pillars I was up to my neck in debt. Not really understanding the true value of money and it’s worth made it very easy to rack up credit card debt. I got a second job and was struggling trying to pay over $700 monthly just making the minimum payments. After spending over a year stressed and tired from working 60 hours a week I was referred to Jennifer Croft by a friend who was also helped by 4Pillars. I explained my situation to Jennifer and she immediately took action! She took my debt from $32,000 to $9,600. My experience with Jennifer was amazing!! She was very understandable and knowledgeable and was always available any time I had questions. Instead of paying over $700 per month towards my debt I now pay $160. I’ve been able to quit my second job and actually start saving money. Doing a proposal with Jennifer Croft was the smartest choice I’ve made.” V.F.
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tor Patrick Garcia, which caused quite a bit of scandal after she got pregnant a year later. She courageously decided to have the baby despite her young age and the risk to her career. Patrick distanced himself from Jennylyn after learning she was pregnant. Their breakup was bitter and acrimonious and for years Jennylyn had forbidden Patrick and his family to have any contact with the baby boy, named Alex Jazz. In 2010, Jennylyn hooked up with another eligible bachelor and popular actor, Dennis Trillo, her co-star in the soap Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak. She said she was initially reluctant to start a relationship, what with her priorities now focused on her son plus Dennis’ reputation as a lothario. “Parang hindi ako ganoon ka-confident sa kanya...parang may doubt, kasi nga yung image niya na nagpapalit ng babae... parang natatakot ako kasi ‘yon ‘yong image na nabuo sa isip ko,” she told Yes! magazine. But Dennis’ persistence paid off and the two became a couple. “Talagang maganda yung takbo ng relationship,” she recalled. But the romance lasted only less than one year. Their breakup was messy, violent and harsh. As Jennylyn candidly related, things between them came to a head one evening during a very violent argument in Dennis’ condo. “Sa sobrang gulat ko doon sa mga sinabi niya sa ‘kin, umakyat talaga ‘yong dugo ko sa ulo. Talagang naginit ‘yong ulo ko. Talagang nasampal ko siya,” she said. “Hindi maganda ‘yong mga sinabi niya sa akin. Sobrang minaliit niya ako, para akong walang kwenta, winasak niya pagkatao ko.” In a shocking move, Dennis allegedly retaliated by putting Jennylyn in a headlock, dragging her across the room, and throwing her on the floor. “Dala-dala niya po ako... papunta doon sa may sliding glass door niya... ‘Tapos, hinagis niya po ako pababa. Patapon po, e. Kaya bumagsak po ako. Nalaglag po ako sa sahig. Medyo masama ‘yong bagsak ko, kasi parang balakang ‘yong bumagsak.” Dennis refused to elaborate on the incident, simply saying, “I choose not to speak because there is nothing to speak about. The truth is, my relationship with Jen just didn’t work out.” The two have reportedly buried the
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PHILIPPINES
Jennylyn displays her physical assets on the cover of FHM men’s magazine in 2009.
With Dennis Trillo during happy times.
With Patrick Garcia, the father of her child. hatchet and remain civil to one another. But only a few months after her split from Dennis, Jennylyn is now being linked to actor-host Luis Manzano of rival network ABS-CBN. Asked about reports that he and Jennylyn were dating, Luis admitted unequivocally that
they were seeing each other. He said that he had always admired her and that they became close during mixed martial arts lessons they were taking. “Kahit nasa kabila pa lang si Jen I’ve always been a fan of her beauty,” he says, referring to the actress’s ties to GMA-7. “Kahit nung nakita ko siya sa Legazpi pa ‘yun, e. I was hosting a pageant. Sabi ko sa kasama ko ang ganda niya, ‘no? Ang ganda niya, napakasimple ng beauty niya.” He added: “Yung exclusively dating, hindi pa fully tackled ‘yan sa
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aming dalawa, hindi pa namin talaga nauupuan ‘yan at napag-uusapan. Pero siguro sa puntong ito, so far, everything has fallen into place.” Jennylyn was overwhelmed at what Luis said about her, thanking him for “making me smile again.” “He is really such a sweet guy for saying all those nice things about me. He is actually the first guy na nagpa-interview to defend and praise me. He did what the others didn’t do, ipinagtanggol niya ako. And for that I am very thankful and lucky,” she said. Luis has introduced her to his mother, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos. But Jennylyn said that she’s not quite ready to jump into another relationship soon. “Siguro dapat ano, if ever papasok man ulit ako sa panibagong relasyon, hindi ko mamadaliin lahat. Kailangan kilalanin ko nang mabuti siguro. It will take time talaga para talagang makilala mo ang isang tao.” As a single mother, her priority is still with her now two-yearold son. Patrick now sees the boy regularly and wants be more involved in raising him. She avoided the question about any possible reconciliation with Patrick. She said that says she’s simply thankful they’ve remained cordial for the sake of their son. “Yung sa amin naman ni Patrick, tungkol lang talaga kay AJ ang pinag-uusapan namin, e. Yung mga personal thing, hindi naman pinag-uusapan iyun kundi ang future lang talaga ni AJ.” Looking back at her past relationships, she acknowledges she made many wrong choices. But the lessons she learned from her mistakes have helped her become the person that she is now. “Parati kong sinasabi, sa lahat nung mga mistakes at mga relasyon na nagdaan, e, parati akong may mga natutunan… marami akong natututunan.” On matters of the heart, Jennylyn now takes a pragmatic view. “Huwag ibibigay lahat dahil ang sakit-sakit talaga pag nawala, so magtitira ka palagi sa sarili mo.” n
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PLANET PHILIPPINES Worldwide LEANDRO MILAN .................................................................................. PEPPER MARCELO ............................................................................... ARNEL RIVAL........................................................................................ ROMY FLORANTE.................................................................................. DIANA PAMELA TRISTE ........................................................................
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23
PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
CELEBR TY
NORA SET TO MAKE A MOVIE COMEBACK NORA Aunor’s much anticipated movie comeback will soon be a reality, according to Laguna Governor ER Ejercito. Ejercito said Nora has agreed to play an important role in the movie El Presidente, The Emilio Aguinaldo Story, a biopic of the country’s first president.
PHIL
STOLEN SHOT OF ‘SWEET MOMENT’ IRKS ANGEL
ANGEL Locsin admits getting irked over a photo aired on TV Patrol showing her being kissed by Fil-British soccer player Phil Younghusband during a recent post-game party for Azkals, the Philippine soccer team. “Akala ko kasi dahil kaibigan naman [‘yung reporter] at nakiusap naman ako, hindi na talaga kami kukunan. Pero sinundan pa rin kami,” she narrated. She said she had confronted the reporter and that they’re now “okay.” A report on the radio program Mismo over DZMM named the reporter as ABS-CBN’s Gretchen Fullido. Mismo host Jobert Sucaldito took the cudgels for Fullido. Short of scolding the actress on air, Sucaldito said, “Artista ka, alam mo yan. Public property ka. Mahal kita pero mali ka dito Angel.” Sucaldito opined that Fullido was merely fulfilling her duties as a journalist when she took the footage and that Angel should have respected that. “Trabaho lang ito. Kung ayaw ninyo makita, itago ninyo,” he said. Angel and Phil have admitted they are “exclusively dating.” Asked about their supposed sweetness towards each other, Angel said, “Wala naman akong itinatago sa tao. Kapag masaya ka, ganoon talaga.”
“Pumayag na po si Nora Aunor to play the second wife of Emilio Aguinaldo,” the nephew of ex-President Joseph Estrada told reporters. “We will be shooting with Nora ng one week. The scenes will be with me and Nora and yung secretary ni Aguinaldo, and hopefully nga with Quentin Tarantino [Hollywood director],” added Ejercito, who will play the title role. “Matanda na kami sa eksena namin dito, e. Ako [as Emilio Aguinaldo] ay mga 90 years old in a wheel chair, and si Nora ay mga 70 years old, so lalagyan kami ng prosthetics.” Ejercito admitted that the role of Maria Aguinaldo was first offered to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, who begged off due to conflict of schedule.
NORA
He shrugged off speculations that this might lead to intrigues. “Well, si Nora lang naman ang kalevel ni Ate Vi.” Asked if Nora knew that Vilma was the first choice for the role, Ejercito said, “A, wala kaming pinag-usapan na gano’n.” He said he is hoping that Nora’s movie comeback might lead to a reconciliation between her and the former president. “Well, isang malaking karangalan dahil after what happened between her and President Erap... Well, maybe, I can patch up things. Dahil napatawad na ni Pangulong Erap si Chavit Singson, at marami pang iba.” Nora and Erap had a falling out in 2001 when the actress joined the opposition at EDSA II which led to Erap’s ouster.
ANGEL, LUIS END RIFT ANGEL Locsin said she and her former boyfriend, Luis Manzano, have already mended their rift. Angel said Luis has already apologized to her. “Okey na, huwag na nating pag-usapan ‘yan. Nag-sorry na siya kaya okey na. Okey na okay na kami,” she said. Earlier, Angel warned an unnamed ex-boyfriend that she would reveal something about him if he would not stop bothering her. In her official Twitter account, Angel posted: “Dear ex, stop texting, stalking & fighting me if you’re over na. Pinrotektahan kita pero pag di ka tumigil mag-
sasalita na ko sa pinaggagagawa mo. Respeto pls.” Although the actress did not mention any name, a number of her Twitter followers surmised it was Luis, her most recent boyfriend, she was referring to. Meanwhile, in his own Twitter account, Luis publicly apologized to the actress for what he had said to her. “With the harsh words I said earlier, im sorry, hope we let bygones be bygones, we have moved on but sorry sa sinabi ko kanina,” he told Angel. Last October Luis disclosed that he and Angel had split. He also earlier confessed he had
ANGEL done things that hurt Angel, which he regretted. Angel is currently dating football player and Azkals heartthrob Phil Younghusband. Luis on the other hand, revealed that he is dating Jennylyn Mercado.
SARAH DOWNPLAYS RIVALRY WITH ANGELINE
FRESH from a one-month vacation in the United States, Sarah Geronimo says she feels refreshed and well-rested. Sarah took voice and dance lessons during her US visit. “Nag-dance and voice lessons din ako, may hip-hop, jazz. sa singing... Huwag na tayong maging detailed, hindi naman kasi siya surprise,” she said. “Ginawa ko yun dahil alam ko na kailangan ng improvement sa akin as a singer, as a dancer, as a performer.” The Pop Princess did not escape reporters’ questions about her alleged rivalry with Star Power’s first Female Pop Superstar Angeline Quinto. Asked if she feels threatened by the young talent, she replied,
SARAH “Alam ninyo, hindi naman maaalis sa society natin na pinagku-compare ang bawat isa sa atin—maging sa trabaho o sa kahit na anong
aspeto . . . I’ve always tried to improve my craft. Hindi ko kinu-consider si Angeline na threat kasi hindi magandang mindset yun . . . Basta ako, I’m so happy sa narating ni Angeline ngayon. Siyempre naiintindihan ko ‘yan, pinagdaanan namin pareho ‘yan.” Angeline had invited Sarah to her debut concert on July 15 but the latter said she could not attend because she’d be in Cebu for a concert with Martin Rivera. Sarah shared that she is excited about doing a third movie with John Lloyd Cruz. The forthcoming movie’s working title is It Takes A Man and A Woman. The two starred in two blockbuster films - A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life.
MARICEL
MARICEL WANTS TO SETTLE ROW WITH MAIDS
MARICEL Soriano has reached out to her two housemaids who filed an abuse complaint against the actress. Complainants May Cachuela, 22, and Camille Acojedo, 18, said Maricel’s assistant, Inday Castillo, called them last July 1 offering to settle the dispute. “Noong July 1 pa lang po, yon tumawag sa amin si Inday. Ang sabi ay kung pwedeng pag-usapan na lang po natin,” Cachuela told reporters after the first barangay hearing conducted at Barangay Poblacion, Makati on July 6. “Sabi nila, pag-usapan ang kaso para daw po matapos na.” The complainants said they just want Maricel to apologize. They said they were hurt by speculations that they just fabricated their stories so they can get money from the actress. They said that if Maricel won’t appear before the barangay hearings, they will definitely bring the complaint to higher authorities. “Alam niyo po, walang dahilan para matakot kami, nasa tama kami. Kung galit? Hindi maiiwasan yon kasi minaliit niya ang pagkatao namin hindi porket katulong kami ay ganoon na lang ang gagawin sa amin,“ Cachuela said. Cachuela and Acojedo worked for Maricel for only two weeks. They accused the actress of physically and verbally abusing them. Cachuela said Soriano even threatened to shoot her. They complained that Soriano would constantly hurl expletives at them. “Naranasan ko kay ma’am talaga ‘yong pagmumura niya.. hindi namin masikmura ‘yong pagmumura niya… kung gaano kalutong, parang pinapakain sa amin ‘yong mura niya,” Acojedo said. The final straw, they said, happened on June 29 when Maricel allegedly kicked Cachuela.
PLANET
JULY 16-31, 2011
24 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
BEAUTIFUL P
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BY MYNARDO MACARAIG
FTER ENDURING wars, earthquakes, fires and poverty-driven neglect, the walled city of Intramuros that makes up the Philippine capital’s historic center may rise again as a tourist attraction.
Government planners see the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage-listed but famously dilapidated site becoming one of Manila’s biggest drawcards, similar to Singapore’s Clarke Quay but with the added color of centuries of history. “We’re going to make this the ‘in’ place to be,” said Intramuros Administration chief Jose Capistrano. “It will be a living Intramuros with tabernas and tapas,” he said, referring to Spanish-style restaurants and their signature finger snacks. Eventually, the administration hopes to have fireworks displays and light shows projected on the structure’s six-meter high walls at night, Capistrano told reporters. The ambitious project will involve rehabilitating and reconstructing buildings, as well as developing a riverside area called the Maestranza Park into a mall for upmarket restaurants and shops. But this endeavor will require tens of millions of dollars in investments which the cashstrapped government cannot afford, so it is hoping the private sector will sign up. Administration officials have been meeting with some of the country’s real estate giants to drum up their interest in investing in the project, and Capistrano said that their reactions had been very favorable. “They are interested in the projects. We feel confident that
Parts of Intramuros today include a busy commercial and government district, containing several government offices, four major universities and a variety of businesses.
HISTORIC INTRAMUROS TO RISE AGAIN The ambitious project will involve rehabilitating and reconstructing buildings, as well as developing a riverside area called the Maestranza Park into a mall for upmarket restaurants and shops.
The government plans to make the Walled City the ‘in’ place to be, complete with Spanish-style restaurants and fireworks displays and light shows at night.
they will be coming in,” he told Agence France-Presse. Capistrano added that, although a definitive cost estimate for the renovation had not yet been finalized, the potential investors were not intimidated by the large scope of the project. “No one said it might cost too much. The reaction when we tell them what these projects are has been very good,” he said, adding he hoped to start a bidding process by the end of the year. The 64-hectare Intramuros area, whose name literally means ‘within the walls’, served as the heart of Manila’s political, religious and cultural life from its founding by Spanish colonial rulers in 1571. Its 4.2-kilometers of walls surrounded most of the government’s offices as well as major churches, schools and trading centers during the three centuries the country was under Spanish rule, which ended in 1898. It was designed with walls, gates and gun emplacements to protect the Spanish residents from the Filipino masses, as well as guard the mouth of Manila’s
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Calgary Edition
main river, the Pasig. Chinatown was also famously placed within cannonball distance of Intramuros so the Spanish could fire down on the Chinese traders whenever they became too troublesome. But Intramuros started falling into decline after the Spanish left, with most of the damage occurring during World War II when US forces shelled Japanese troops hiding inside the walls. Many historic buildings, including nine of the 10 churches within Intramuros, were destroyed in the war. Some of these derelict structures are still standing, a reminder of the area’s lost grandeur. Over the centuries, earthquakes and fires have also taken their toll. And while Intramuros’s value is in its history, modern pressures have continued to erode its structures. Parts of Intramuros today include a busy commercial and government district, containing several government offices, four major universities and a variety of businesses. All of this results in congestion, noise, frequent traffic jams and a chronic lack of parking space. The area also houses more than 3,000 families of squatters who often can be seen asking tour-
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PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
The 64-hectare Intramuros area served as the heart of Manila’s political, religious and cultural life from its founding by Spanish colonial rulers in 1571. ists for alms, while their shanties and graffiti mar the image of the walled city, according to Capistrano. He said that the administration had limited power to evict the squatters. Many of them were on private property and were protected by laws designed to help the urban poor. Tourism professionals operating in the area look forward to the upgrade but question whether the government can deliver amid the deterioration, overcrowding and squalor that have become common in parts of Intramuros. “We need restructuring of the buildings, getting rid of the slumdwellers, beautifying the place. There is so much garbage, there
Restoration work is underway in Fort Santiago, where workers are pulling down cement walls and replacing them with more authentic adobe and lime.
are eyesores,” said Jose Mananzan, head of the Intramuros Tourism Council. Nevertheless, even without private investors, the government has taken the first step, spending P150 million to turn the ruined shell of a church into a museum housing religious artifacts, Capistrano said. Portions of the old historic wall in Maestranza that were torn down in the 1900s have also already been reconstructed through a Japanese grant, he said. This time, instead of housing gunpowder and cannon balls, the wall’s vaulted inner chambers will hopefully house cafes and shops. More restoration work is underway at the Intramuros’s garrison of Fort Santiago, where workers trained under a Spanish government grant are pulling down cement walls and replacing them with more authentic adobe and lime. Under the Spanish program, two masons from Mexico taught the Filipinos how to mix lime and shape stone to recreate the original look of the building, which will become the new Intramuros visitors’ center. “We replaced the old timber that had rotted but we are bringing it back to its original look,” said the workers’ foreman, Jose de Lara. (Agence France-Presse) n
CELEBRITYFILES
SAM IS FHM’S SEXIEST PINAY
FIL-AMERICAN model-actress Sam Pinto is this year’s FHM’s Sexiest Woman. In the annual poll conducted by the local edition of the foreign men’s magazine FHM, the former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, who ranked 32nd in the 2010 balloting, beat Marian Rivera and last year’s title holder, Angel Locsin. At the press conference for FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women last July 2, Sam declared herself “fresh,” saying her body is “all natural,” unlike others in the FHM list who resorted to cosmetic enhancements. Reminded that she might get into trouble for her statement, Sam replied, “A, totoo naman, di ba? Bakit sila magi-guilty about it if that’s true? I mean, kung pinagawa mo nga, you should be more proud of it. Kasi, mas maganda naman tingnan.“ She added: “Well, I was really talking about myself. Kasi, I’ve nothing done talaga and I’m just saying, I’m really proud of it that I didn’t do anything with my body. Wala naman akong pinu-point out
na anyone.” Sam shrugged off reports linking her to Marian’s boyfriend, Dingdong Dantes. “Marian, dapat masaya ka na,” she said. “You have a very, very beautiful face, a beautiful body. What else can you ask for? And you have Dingdong all for yourself. So, ano pang hinihingi mo?” But she revealed that Marian has been avoiding her. “I tried to smile pero she looks away na. I guess, ayaw mo, sige. You don’t really control me. . . Honestly, wala talaga akong paki sa kanya! She’s doing her own thing and I’m doing my own thing. That’s about it.”
KORINA LAUGHS OFF SEPARATION RUMORS
BROADCAST journalist and TV Patrol anchor Korina Sanchez has laughed off rumors that she and her equally famous husband, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, are now living separately. Korina says they are still together and are very much in love with each other. “Mahihirapan sila kaming paghiwalayin,” she told The Buzz in an interview. “Alam mo ang sabi niya sa akin noong isang araw, ‘Honey ang malas mo.’ ‘Bakit?” sabi ko. ‘I will never leave you.’ Sabi niya sa akin ganoon. ‘You’re stuck with me. Sabi niya minsan, ‘Ang malas ko talaga.’ Sabi ko, ‘Bakit?’ ‘Malas, sobra kitang mahal.’” According to Korina, this is not the first time that they have been rumored to have ended their marriage. “Sabi ko nga Diyos ko talagang mga chismosang intrigerong ito. Sabi kong ganyan ‘yong hindi kami nakikita hiwalay na kami. ‘Yong nakita kami, nagpapanggap lang kami. Sabi ko ibang klase ito. Hindi na tsismis ito, kampanya na ito ng paninira,” she said. As to the issue that there is a third party, Korina said they are not making a big deal out of it. “Natatawa pa nga ako kay Mar. ‘Hoy, pinag-uusapan dito na hiwalay
KORINA na tayo. Umuwi ka na galing New York. Akala ata nila hiwalay na talaga tayo’…. ‘My third party daw.’ Sabi niya, ‘Talaga, sino ‘yong lalaki?’ ‘Anong ako, ikaw ‘yong nachi-chismis na may babae,’” she said. She disclosed that they are already planning to have a baby. “Pinag-usapan na namin ng seryoso na simulan na ang proseso ng paghahanda. I’m taking care of my body, I’ve been talking to my OB-gynecologist again.” Korina, who turns 47 in October, admits she is not entertaining high hopes of having a baby. “I’m sure mahihirapan na ako but I believe that God believes in me,” she said.
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JULY 16-31, 2011
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PHILIPPINES
GMA FACES PLUNDER RAPS OVER PCSO FUNDS B
AYAN MUNA partylist lawmakers Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares have filed plunder charges against former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte for their alleged mishandling of the PCSO funds. The complaint was filed before Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro who said this would be among the priority cases in his office. The lawmakers also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a lifestyle check on Arroyo and Uriarte and to sequester documents related to the PCSO’s transactions. Mrs. Arroyo and Uriarte came under fire after the Senate Blue Ribbon committee learned from Uriarte herself that Arroyo approved the appropriation of hundreds of millions of pesos in PCSO money as intelligence funds in the setting up of the small town lottery to combat the illegal numbers game “jueteng” in different provinces. Uriarte added some of the money was used as blood money to save Filipino workers sentenced to death for murder in Saudi Arabia. The old PCSO management during the Arroyo administration is also being investigated for its costly advertising budget, the grant of ambulances to the districts of Arroyo allies and the donation of cash to Catholic bishops for the purchase of their sports utility vehicles.
The bishops have apologized for accepting the donations but emphasized there was no malice in their acceptance of the money, saying the resources were used for their social outreach and charity work in remote provinces. Critics, however, said the cash donations might have violated the constitutional provision on the separation of the Church and State. Senators also questioned the lack of transparency or clarity in the use of the intelligence funds, although some said Arroyo could be held liable for malversation of funds, but not plunder. Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman has started its own investigation into the fund mess at PCSO. Casimiro said they created a special panel to conduct a fact-finding probe into the allegations. He said the investigation would focus on how PCSO funds were allegedly misused by past officials. Uriarte revealed at the Senate hearing that the agency had misused hundreds of millions of pesos, mostly for dubious intelligence activities, in a span of three years during the Arroyo
administration. Uriarte said Arroyo had approved her request on Jan. 4, 2010 to divert 20 percent of the agency’s public relations budget or a minimum of P150 million to intelligence funds/confidential funds. Uriarte also told the Senate that portions of the PCSO’s intelligence fund were diverted to relief operations and “blood money” donations to Filipino workers facing death sentences in the Middle East. Uriarte testified that she personally saw Arroyo approve and sign her proposals. Sen. Francis Escudero said the PCSO has been used as a promoter of patronage politics by the past administration in the use and distribution of its charity fund. Escudero said Arroyo and Uriarte could be criminally liable for malversation of public funds. “These are very damaging. The Ombudsman should take a look at these testimonies and see what liability the former President has,” Sen. Franklin Drilon said after the hearing. Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chair of the blue ribbon committee, was more forthright: “It implicates the former President in this whole mystery. It makes her a coconspirator… When you steal more than P50 million, it’s plunder.” n
EX-PCSO PR MANAGER FACES TAX EVASION RAPS
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) a tax evasion complaint against Manuel Garcia, former advertising and promotions manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The BIR filed five counts of willful attempt to evade the payment of taxes, and four counts of willful failure to properly declare his income from 2006 to 2010. The bureau is now requiring Garcia to pay about P18 million in aggregate tax liabilities, including penalties and surcharges. The BIR’s tax evasion complaint stemmed from the graft complaints that businessmen Alexander Quisumbing and Ludovico Yuseco filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in May this year. “We have documentary evidence, testimonies, and even the return checks to show that he received P16.1 million from Quiambao and P12.61 million from Yuseco and he
(Garcia) did not report this as part of his income. We are running after him for the payment of about P18 million in taxes,” BIR commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said at a news briefing at the DOJ. She, however, clarified that the P18 million tax liability could just be the tip of the iceberg. The BIR’s initial scrutiny showed that that Garcia understated his gross taxable income by P10.8 million in 2006, P5.21 million in 2007, P2.4 million in 2008, P8.16 million in 2009, and P2.45 million in 2010. Senators surmised that Garcia may have collected about P1.5 billion in kickbacks from the agency’s ad placement contracts during the Arroyo administration. They came to this conclusion after two advertising executives testified that his kickbacks from advertising placement contracts ran up to 40 percent, less taxes. Garcia demanded commissions in
exchange for his recommendation to the past PCSO board to approve the contracts, the executives said. “I congratulate Mr. Garcia for being a billionaire,” Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile chuckled at the opening of the blue ribbon committee’s inquiry into the alleged misuse of PCSO funds. “We have proved corruption in the PCSO because of the P1.5 billion alleged as kickbacks from advertising placements,” said Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chair of the committee. Alexander Quisumbing, chair and CEO of Quizgem, and Ludovico Yuseco, manager of Cross-Channel Advertising, confirmed to the committee that Garcia had a 40-percent share from the contract price, less the 12-percent value-added tax and the 10-percent withholding tax. Quisumbing confirmed what he stated in his May 18 affidavit that he gave Garcia some P16.1 million from 2006 to 2008. n
Calgary Edition
CBCP APOLOGIZES FOR SUVS
A CONTRITE Church hierarchy has apologized for its involvement in the controversy at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in which seven bishops received funds from the state-run charity agency for the purchase of SUV and other vehicles during the Arroyo administration. “Our Mother Church has been deeply wounded by the controversies in the [PCSO] that have erupted in the past two weeks … As shepherds struggling to love you like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are sorry for the pain and sadness that these events have brought upon you,” Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, read from a pastoral statement titled “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace.” Meanwhile, seven Catholic bishops who received PCSO funds to buy service vehicles have agreed to return the vehicles to the PCSO. In a statement read by Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on July 13, the bishops said the vehicles were used for the charity programs of their respective dioceses. “Regardless of whether the acquisition of vehicles are lawful or unlawful, constitutional or unconstitutional, we are returning the vehicles,” the statement read. He said the vehicles from the bishops in Mindanao will be turned over to a duly authorized PCSO representative while vehicles from those in Luzon were already outside the Senate building. Among those who received vehicles from PCSO during the Arroyo administration are: Butuan City Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos (Mitsubishi Montero), Bontoc-Lagawe Bishop Rodolfo Beltran (Nissan Pathfinder), Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian (Mitsubishi Strada), Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (Toyota Grandia Hi-Ace), Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad (Mitsubishi Strada), Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles (Toyota Grandia HiAce); and Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Salgado (Isuzu Crosswind). Except for Salgado who is in the US, all the bishops who received vehicles from PCSO are present at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. At the closing of the Catholic bishops’ plenary assembly on July 11, the CBCP said inconsisten-
cies of its actions with its pastoral teachings had brought confusion and sadness to many of its faithful, particularly the youth and the poor. Odchimar assured the faithful that the bishops’ acceptance of the donations was done without malice. “Out of their sincere desire to help their people, they failed to consider the pitfalls to which these grants could possibly lead them,” he said. (See CBCP full statement on this channel.) “They have also expressed their readiness to do everything that is necessary to heal this wound so that we can all move forward in hope,” he said in a press conference at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila. Senators, who are looking into the fund misuse at the PCSO during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, have summoned the bishops to a hearing of the blue ribbon committee. The lawmakers claim that the donation to the bishops violated the Constitution. The seven bishops linked to the PCSO fund misuse were Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Abra Bishop Leonardo Jaucian, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Bontoc Bishop Rodolfo Beltran and Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Antolin Salgado. Pueblos had personally requested a Mitsubishi Montero Sports 4×4 from Arroyo as a “birthday gift” in 2009. The Church requested its flock to be “slow in judgment” and to “seek the truth always in charity.” “We assure you that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility of their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous and unconstitutional,” Odchimar said. Malacañang welcomed the CBCP statement. “It was expected of them to take a stand because several bishops are concerned. Now that they’ve spoken that they’re ready to accept the consequences, we will have to see what those will be in the unfolding of the investigation in the Senate,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Teofisto Guingona III also welcomed the CBCP act of contrition. “To me that’s more than enough. For me that’s very admirable—to be humble, to say sorry to the public,” Lacson said. “I salute them.” n
PLANET
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PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
NEWSROUND-UP
EX-PAGCOR CHIEF, 40 OTHERS FACE PLUNDER RAPS THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Has filed plunder charges against its former chairman, Efraim Genuino, his son Erwin, daughter Sheryl and 38 other personalities before the Department of Justice. Cristino Naguiat Jr., current Pagcor chairman, said the respondents allegedly conspired with each other in “siphoning off” about P186 million in Pagcor funds from 2003 to 2010 to Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA) Foundation, which subsequently ran in the 2010 elections as a partylist group. “Clearly, there was a conflict of interest with how former Pagcor officials disbursed the funds to a group which
later registered as a partylist group,” Naguiat told reporters before filing the complaint. Among the evidence that Pagcor presented were several checks given to BIDA. Naguiat said Pagcor shouldered the cost of advertisements amounting to over P63 million to promote BIDA from 2008 until the elections last year. The complaint said that Pagcor paid P14.42 million for BIDA pins, BIDA ID cards, tarpaulins and other collaterals to BIDA Production. These materials were mostly used for the BIDA caravan. On top of that, Pagcor also paid
BIDA Production P14.15 million for the event management, creative design and production of BIDA Foundation’s Maligayang Barangay, Maagang Pasko 2005 and Pinakamaligayang Barangay 2006 projects. “The ad placements were obviously intended or designed to increase the exposure and popularity of the BIDA Foundation in time for the 2010 national elections,” Naguiat said. Also charged with plunder and violation of the Anti-Graft Law in the 126-page complaint affidavit were former Pagcor Board Members Rafael Francisco (COO and President), Manuel Roxas, Philip Lo, Danilo Gozo,
EX-PNP CHIEF CHARGED OVER CHOPPER SALE INTERIOR Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered the filing of charges against former National Police chief Jesus Verzosa and other officers for paying top prices for two brand-new helicopters that were in fact not new but reassembled. He said the R-44 Raven helicopters were two of the three choppers that the National Police had bought for the Special Action Force in 2009 for P104.9 million, but only one of them was new. The other two had had 500 flying hours before those were disassembled and reassembled and then delivered to the National Police as brand-new units, Robredo said. “Versoza has a lot of explaining to do,” he said, adding Versoza approved the helicopters’ purchase. He ordered National Police Chief Raul Bacalzo to dig deeper into the case and see if former comptroller Romeo Hilomen, logistics director Luizo Ticman, and Special Action Force director Leocadio Santiago had been involved in it. Sen. Panfilo Lacson has implicated former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Juan Miguel
Arroyo in the anomalous purchase of three helicopters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009. The senator said he obtained documents indicating that the Arroyos were the former owners of the helicopters “forcibly” sold and priced as brand-new to the PNP for P105 million. “The First Couple were so powerful at that time that ramming the used helicopters down the throat of the police was easy and effortless,” Lacson said. “And since the proceeds could exceed the P50-million threshold in a series of acts, those liable are candidate for a plunder case under our existing laws,” he said. An independent source told The Philippine Star that one of the choppers had logged 500 flying hours in 2008 alone or a year before the supposed purchase. “If it was brand new (in 2009) why would its batteries conk out barely a year while the PNP was using it?” the source said. The PNP source, however, refused to say who were the supposed first owners of the chopper before it was passed off as brand new to the police force. “The matter is still under investigation,” the source said.
The PNP is reportedly trying to negotiate with the supplier to replace the aircraft with brand new ones before Lacson made the anomaly public. Lacson said that initial findings would indicate that the previous and original owners of the preowned – yet sold as brand-new – light police operational helicopters are the Arroyos. Lacson had initiated an investigation into alleged misrepresentations in the P105-million purchase of light operational helicopters by the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF). He said that while the PNP officials involved in the deal were complicit partners, they are the least to blame in this anomalous transaction. Lacson is said to be keen on pinning down the Arroyo couple and a former Cabinet member who lorded over the police force during the past administration in the helicopter procurement anomaly. Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo denied allegations that he was the previous owner of the helicopter that was sold to the PNP. n
ROBREDO BARES OVERPRICED, UNUSED BOATS AFTER blowing the whistle on the allegedly anomalous purchase of used helicopters, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now questioning the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) P131 million emergency procurement of rubber boats and overpriced outboard motors after Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009. DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said the 75 rubber boats and 93 outboard motors purchased after Ondoy did not follow the specifications provided by the National Police Commission (Napolcom). “Nakagarahe pa. The motors cannot be attached because the boats are only for 40 horsepower outboard motors but what was bought were 60 horsepower outboard motors...When
you attach the 60 horsepower motors, lulubog yung rubber boats,” he told reporters. Initial findings showed that the motors were overpriced at P500,000 per 60-hp motor, instead of the market price of P350,000. Robredo said the rubber boats also did not follow Napolcom specifications. The purchases include 41 hypalon neoprene rubber roll-up boats from France, 24 hypalon-single recreational rubber boats from Korea, and 3 recreational boats from Costa Rica. The DILG chief said the rubber boats should already be in use since the rainy season has already started. “If there is another Ondoy, we do have rubber boats that we can use with paddles kasi kapag ginamit
yung motor hindi tinatanggap,” he added. Aside from the rubber boats, Robredo also questioned the PNP’s P90 million regular procurement of patrol boats that did not comply with Napolcom specifications. He said the patrol boats are being kept in storage after the end-user rejected them for not following its requirements. The DILG chief said PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo has ordered similar PNP transactions investigated for possible violations so that cases may be filed. “We want to clean up the procurement process in the PNP and the important step is to clean up the previous transactions,” Robredo said. n
Imelda Dimaporo, Ester Laconico Feria, Susana Dumlao Vargas, and Gamaliel Cordoba who is currently the Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Also named respondents were former Pagcor officials Jose Benedicto (Chief of Staff), Rene Figueroa (Executive Vice President), Edward King (Vice President for Corporate Communications and Services Dept), Atty. Carlos Bautista, Jr. (VP for Legal Department), Ester Hernandez (VP for Accounting), Valente Custodio (AVP for Internal Audit), Atty. Jesselyn Durante-Cuizon (Assistant Manager of Legal Department), and Erwin Genuino (Executive Assistant of Legal Department); and former Pagcor consultants Mario Cornista, Rodolfo Soriano, Jr., Tomas Toledo, and Emilio Marcelo. Likewise charged were BIDA Foundation incorporators/members namely Jesus Velmonte, Cornelio Valerio, Nicanor Roxas, Michael Nisperos, Arnold Garchitorena, Angelo Tesoro,
Jose Salindong, Johnny Tan, Philip Beltran, Luis Guerrero, Carol Matsuda, Olive Soriano, and Josephine Sumangil-Evangelista. Genuino’s daughter Sheryl Genuino-See, who was the first nominee of the BIDA party list, is also included in the plunder charge. Also respondents are Manuel Nocon, Jr., Dennis Celeste, Ronald Tagayon, Adriano Velmonte, Rafael Torcuator, and Anna Maria Espiritu who were incorporators/members of BIDA Production, Wildformat and/or Pencil First. These three entities rendered creative and advertising services for BIDA who were then got heftily paid by Pagcor. This is the third plunder complaint filed against Genuino. The first was in connection with the illegal disbursement of about P26.7 million for the production of the 2008 movie “Baler” while the second was about the anomalous release of funding assistance worth P34 million to the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association, Inc. (PASA) beginning 2007. n
ARROYO FACES PROBE ON FERTILIZER SCAM THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered an investigation into former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo’s alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004. Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said that a fact-finding probe will be conducted on Arroyo, who now represents the second congressional district of Pampanga. Plunder and graft cases filed against Arroyo were not investigated when the ombudsman was Merceditas Gutierrez even after Arroyo had lost her presidential immunity from lawsuits. Only officials such as former agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. and undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante were subjected to investigation for the scam. Earlier, the Ombudsman junked the motions for reconsideration filed by the respondents and ordered the filing of plunder charges against them before the Sandiganbayan. “It is an elementary principle that a secretary is an alter ego of the president who has direct control and supervision of Cabinet secretaries,” said Casimiro. Lorenzo allegedly allowed Bolante to misuse or misappropriate P728-million worth of fertilizer funds in 2004, which was allegedly used for Arroyo’s presidential campaign that year. “Secretary Lorenzo’s act of allowing Undersecretary Bolante to take control of and dispose of the funds amounting to P728 million, in effect misappropriating the same, amounts to consenting or permit-
ting through abandonment or negligence, another person to take or misappropriate such funds,” said the complaint filed by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO). The FIO said both officials should be charged with malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). After the preliminary probe, the Ombudsman recommended the filing of plunder and graft charges against them – as well as governors and lawmakers who were named recipients of the fertilizer fund – before the Sandiganbayan. The order came six years after the scam was exposed and investigated by the Senate in 2005. The fertilizer fund was allegedly used by the past administration to lure local officials to support the presidential bid of Arroyo in 2004. Not all the intended recipients of the farm inputs received allocations. In some instances, allocations were made to areas with no agricultural lands. The ombudsman earlier filed two graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against incumbent Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee, accountant Raul Hernandez and provincial treasurer Ofelia Velasco. The provincial government purchased the fertilizer at P1,500 per liter against prevailing market price of only P180/liter. The ombudsman noted that Lee favored Feshan as the sole distributor of the fertilizers when in fact the “mode of procurement through exclusive distributorship is not appropriate.” n
JULY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
28 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
PLANET
Calgary Edition
29
PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
NEWSROUND-UP
ROXAS VOWS GRAFT-FREE DOTC
PICHAY
PICHAY DISMISSED FROM GOV’T SERVICE
THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Board of Trustees chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. and two other ranking officials for grave misconduct in connection with their unlawful use of P780 million in state funds for acquiring Express Savings Bank Inc. in 2009. Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said Pichay, acting Administrator Daniel Landingin and acting Deputy Administrator Wilfredo Feleo are stripped of all benefits and permanently disqualified from working in government. Pichay, a former Surigao del Sur congressman and a staunch supporter of the Arroyo administration, called the Ombudsman’s order “political harassment.” “The penalty of dismissal from the service with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of all benefits is imposed upon them,” Casimiro said through his spokesperson Rawnsle Lopez. Casimiro added that the dismissal order against Pichay, Landingin, and Feleo is immediately executory pursuant to the rules of the Office of the Ombudsman. More than a month ago, the anti-graft agency issued a six-month preventive suspension order on the LWUA officials. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by LWUA employees Rustico Tutol, Luis DG. Estrada, and Carmen Amores. The employees accused Pichay, Landingin, Feleo and corporate legal officer and Board Secretary Arnaldo Espinas of violating Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The officials were accused of investing P780 million of LWUA funds in ESBI, a private banking institution, in violation of the rules of the General Appropriations Act and without prior approval from the Monetary Board. The investment allowed LWUA to gain 20 percent of the bank’s voting stock. It was not clear when the ombudsman intended to file criminal charges with the Sandiganbayan against the three. n
FORMER Senator Mar Roxas has vowed to pursue reforms, ensure that all government deals under his supervision as the secretary of transportation and communications are above board, and deliver the best results to the Filipino people. Roxas officially assumed office on July 4 and immediately formed a body that would look into “problematic” projects approved by the past administration and that are hounded by allegations of graft. “I am very comfortable with reviewing these contracts, which have been linked to controversies,” Roxas told reporters during a briefing at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) headquarters. “If we find that that these projects are anomalous and are not in the best interest of the Filipino people, I have no problem canceling or renegotiating them.” Among the projects to be reviewed are the Greater Maritime Access
(GMA) Ports and the NorthRail projects. The DoTC, under Roxas’ predecessor Jose de Jesus, earlier recommended that both contracts be either cancelled or renegotiated to get rid of onerous provisions. Roxas said the DoTC would file graft charges against government officials who approved projects proven to have anomalous provisions. The new body will be one of four groups to be formed by Roxas in his reorganization of the DoTC’s structure. The three other teams will be headed by an undersecretary. One will be for day-to-day operations of the DoTC’s attached agencies. Another will be tasked with the development of new or “greenfield” projects, and the third will develop a master plan for the long-term integration of the country’s mass transport system. “All of our national development goals will be supported if we have a coherent public transport cost,”
ROXAS Roxas said. He said having an efficient transportation system, with seamlessly linked roads, airports, seaports and train lines, would be his main goal at the DoTC.
He described the country’s transport system as “disjointed, expensive and undercapitalized.” “For example, it’s more expensive to ship a package from Mindanao to Manila than shipping that same package from San Francisco, which is across the Pacific Ocean,” Roxas said. “That is something I wish to solve,” he said. To achieve these goals, Roxas said he would ensure the effective implementation of new infrastructure projects under the government’s public private partnership (PPP) scheme. The PPP scheme aims to encourage the private sector to invest in infrastructure projects to make up for the lack of government resources. Among the PPP projects to be implemented by the DoTC are the integration and privatization of operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train lines and the construction of several airports around the country. n
ZALDY PINS DOWN BROTHER, FATHER TO MASSACRE
CUTTING his ties with his family, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan has pinned down his father Andal Sr. and brother Andal Jr. to the gruesome murders in 2009 that brought the country high in the impunity index. Speaking to ABS-CBN News’ Anthony Taberna inside his jail cell, Zaldy said he is willing to turn state witness and is willing to wait until the court hears his testimony. He also asked Malacañang to give him and his family security, knowing the consequences of his actions. “Willing po ako mag-testify, sabihin kahit sino man ang involved, magulang ko man o kapatid, at kahit sino man involved para sa ikakalutas ng problemang ito at pawang katotohanan lamang ang aking sasabihin,” he said. He has signed an affidavit attesting to his father’s and brother’s roles in the murders. Andal Jr., in particular, was the one who planned the murders from day one, he alleged. The Ampatuan patriarch, on the other hand, was present during the 2 meetings prior to the November 23 murders, he said. “Dapat makulong dito ay ‘yong mastermind, ‘yong nag-plano,” he said. He said he got the information from a witness who was around during the planning. He condemned his father and brother for ruining his life and that of his family’s. He said it has been more than 3 months since he last talked to them. Zaldy said he came out to clean the name of several family members who have been unwittingly dragged into the mess for carrying the name of Ampatuan. He also reiterated he did not have
anything to do with the murders. He said he has evidence and witnesses to prove that he was in Malacañang on the day of the murders. He sounded off his frustrations, however, that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself had cut him off. Arroyo could become his witness, he said. “Siguro naghuhugas kamay siya, o meron siyang iniiwasan, siguro ayaw niya madamay sa pangyayari,” he said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Zaldy’s testimony would be studied and assessed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government. Told of the misgivings that Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and some prosecutors have expressed over the possibility of Zaldy becoming a state witness, Lacierda said, “He’s the one who offered. You don’t disregard a testimony.” Lacierda said the government stance would be in “the furtherance of the truth” in the massacre in which 57 people were killed, including 32 media workers. Another media worker remains missing to date. Zaldy, along with his father, former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., and his brothers, are among the principal accused in the massacre that happened in November 2009. But as far as the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre are concerned, they do not want Zaldy to become a state witness. They would rather see him behind prison bars. For Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, Ampatuan’s statement is just part of a scam. Mangudadatu’s wife died in the gruesome mass murder last No-
vember 2009. “Strategy lang nila yan, susunod nyang ilalabas na din nila yung iba pang miyembro ng kanilang pamilya hanggang maiwan na lang si Unsay (Andal Jr.),” he said. “Marami na kaming testigo na makapagsasabi ng katotohanan, di na namin sya kailangan,” Mangudadatu added.
Some of the other parties also do not want him out of jail, with the full belief that he had a hand in the murders. In response to Zaldy’s offer to turn state witness Justice Secretary De Lima said his intention to turn state witness will only be rendered futile. “We are not thinking of making him state witness. There is no solid justification.”
ZALDY: ARROYO GOT P200-M KICKBACKS ZALDY Ampatuan unloaded another bombshell on July 13 against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, this time accusing her of receiving some P200 million in kickbacks from road projects in Mindanao during her administration. The allegation is contained in three unsigned affidavits that the former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) released to the Inquirer. On July 12, a set of unsigned documents also was given to the Inquirer, purporting to show that Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, engineered in Maguindanao the rigging of the 2007 senatorial election to benefit Sen. Miguel Zubiri. Zaldy is offering to become a state witness and testify against his father, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his brother Andal Jr. in the 2009 massacre of 58 people in the province. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has turned down Zaldy’s offering, saying that she is convinced that the former ARMM governor was a principal conspirator in the worst incident of political violence in the nation’s history. Raul Lambino, an Arroyo lawyer,
said Zaldy’s exposés were “choreographed” as a “main bargaining chip” to get President Aquino to give him a chance to escape “an absolutely certain guilty verdict” on the massacre. De Lima told reporters that the President had directed a Cabinet inquiry into Zaldy’s allegations of corruption and election sabotage. She also dismissed suggestions that the Aquino administration was considering entering into a deal with the former ARMM governor to pin down Arroyo. In the draft affidavits, Zaldy alleged that former Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman collected the P200 million in kickbacks in three farm-to-market road projects in Central Mindanao for remittance to then President Arroyo. Zaldy added that Andal Sr. could also testify in the case as an “adverse” witness and that he also had hotel and CCTV records to prove his case. “Pangandaman assured me that the 20 percen,t or P20 million, will be delivered to (Arroyo),” Zaldy said as he described one of the projects. Pangandaman was not immediately available to comment on the allegations. n
JULY 16-31, 2011
PLANET
30 PHILIPPINES
Calgary Edition
PLANET
Calgary Edition *
31 PHILIPPINES
JULY 16-31, 2011
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Alberta, Saskatchewan, Edmonton NEW EXTENDED STORE HOURS TO SERVE YOU BETTER Red Deer Manitoba, Ontario, 7419 50 Ave. Unit 1,2 6408 Gateway Blvd. Monday Friday 10am-8pm New Brunswick, NEW (780) 437-0808 (403) 314-0100 URS Sat. 10am-6pm • Sun. 12pm-5pm O Nova Scotia H Tables, fabrics and colours may vary by store location. *5-Piece Packages include a 2Pc Sofa Set (or a 2Pc Sectional) and 3-Piece Table Set. FREE 3-Piece Table Sets consist of: (#2221, #3612, #3811, #7841, #7842, #7843, #7600 or #7900). Limit of one 3-Piece table set for every 2-piece living
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*Before applicable taxes. New Sales Only. Storage Ottoman includes 1 (#4198). All advertised offers can not be used with any other promotion. Promotional items are limited to one per customer, per purchase. Offer valid until July 25, 2011.
PLANET
32 PHILIPPINES
Do you want us to prove how big and stable we are as a company? Compare our prices to our competitors.
Calgary Edition
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DROP OFF LESS $12
Pick-up / box
Our balikbayan boxes are bigger & better!
Metro Manila North & South Metro Manila
$70
(Marila, Meycauayan, Plaridel, Bocaue, San Pedro,
$80
Binan, Cabauyao, Santa Rosam Taytay, Binangonan, Antipolo, Tanay, Morong, Kawit, Bacoor, Imus)
Central Luzon (Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, North of Malolos, Laguna (South
$90
of Calamba), Batangas
North and South Luzon (La union, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Quezon)
Bicol Region (Albay, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Mindoro,
$100 $100
18 X 18 X 31 with 61 ECT (edge crust test) and with water and moisture resistant adhesive.
it has more space and can handle more weight. 10 box in 1 year = 1 Free 7 box at the same time = 1 Free (all same destination)
Sorsogon, Camarines Norte / Sur, Masbate)
4 box at the same time = 1 half price
Cagayan Valley
(all same destination)
(Aparri, Cagayan, Batanes, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Kailnga-Apayao,
$100
Quirino Province, Abra, Benguet)
All of Visayas and Palawan All of Mindanao
$105 $110
WE ACCEPT COMPETITOR'S BOXES & we will replace it with ours. BE SMART PINOY
NOW WITH OUR FILIPINO STORE AFFILIATES IN CALGARY & SURROUNDING AREAS, YOU CAN DROP OFF OR BUY MANILA FORWARDER BOXES:
Free strap & no pick up charge at ang box mo, siguradong naka insured!
Nag-aral. Nag sikap. Ngayon nga nasa Canada ka na.
Hahayaan mo nanaman bang hindi makarating ang pinahahalagahan mong Balikbayan box? Pinagpawisan at pinagpaguran? Maraming cargo companies dyan na kung ano-ano ang ipinapangako sainyo. Nakarating nga, may butas at kulang naman ang Balikbayan box mo. Worst, paano kung iniwan ka na sa ere tulad ng nangyari sa F at A cargo? hindi karapat-dapat kang tratuhin ng ganon sapagkat ang Balikbayan box mo ay iyong pinaghirapan at pinahahalagahan. Sa Manila Forwarder, kung gaano kahalaga sayo ang Balikbayan box mo, ganun din namin pahahalagahan ang mga ito. You know better than becoming a victim.
Pinoy Sari-sari Store - 3607 17 Ave SE Calgary, AB (403) 248-3230 Makabayan Filipino Store - 416 Erinwoods Dr SE Calgary, AB (403) 452-6143 Filipino Market - 3803 26 Ave SW Calgary, AB (403) 984-8100 Melly's Bakery - 112 6800 Memorial Dr NE Calgary, AB (403) 569-1517 Loriz 1 - 13 8330 Macleod Tr SE Calgary, AB (403) 256-8604 Loriz 2 - 25 2525 Bridle Crest Way SE Calgary, AB (403) 256-8604 Asian Palate - 519 3208 8 Ave NE Calgary, AB (403) 272-2098 Tindahang Pinoy - 1093 Falconridge Dr NE Calgary, AB (403) 285-1875 Iremit Calgary - 636-999 36 St NE Calgary, AB (403) 569-8887 Rolymie Bakery - 5-5008 Whitehorn Dr. NE Calgary, AB (403)590-0099 MacEwan Sisters - 12-16 MacEwan Dr NW Calgary, AB (403)275-8023 Tondar Computer - 999 36 St NE #525 Calgary, AB (403)248-7126 Lanhel Oriental Store - 4734 49B Ave Lacombe AB (403) 782-0056
BETTER ACCESS, BETTER CONVENIENCE FOR YOU
JULY 16-31, 2011
Big J & C Express -Bay 3 5020 50 St. Rockey Mountain House,AB (403)846-9797 Rossil Pinoy & Asian Grocery Store-953 S. Railway St SE Medicine Hat, AB (403) 526-6111
We are a very Straight Forward & Licensed Company. No hassles, no gimmicks. We operate for the good of all Filipinos since 1998. We have branches all over the world however this ad is only focusing in AB, Canada. Check us online for our other branches.
Kung magpapadala ka, Check us online to see how big and stable we are as a company:
Direct: (403) 890-7975
Manila Forwarder Calgary & Surrounding Areas: 3544 Fonda Way SE Calgary, AB T2A6E8 (403) 890-7975 c/o Richard Panuelos
Toll Free:
Manila Forwarder Edmonton & Surrounding Areas: 9818 163 St Edmonton, AB T5P3M8 (780) 818-6684 c/o Sonny Suarez