PNP says there’s strong case vs ‘Dominguez Group’

Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday that it has strong case against members of the notorious "Dominguez Group" tagged brutal kidnap-murder of car dealer Venson Evangelista.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent. Agrimero Cruz Jr. cited physical evidence and testimony against members of the band, led by Raimundo Dominguez.

"We have witnesses and evidence to prove that they have something to do with the case Evangelista," Cruz said during a radio interview.

Police on Friday raided suspected safe house the cooperative is a group of carjacking Pampanga, where authorities recovered weapons and evidence that the alleged driving Evangelista and at least 15 pairs of number plates, among other items.

Cruz said police are still in follow-up operations.

On Saturday, the PNP Special Working Group Research (SITG) headed by Chief Superintendent. Benito Estipona filed criminal charges against nine members of the Dominguez carjacking.

Apart from Raymond Dominguez, also were charged with his brother, Roger Alfredo Mendiola, Fernando Parula a Joel, an alias Jayson and Rolly, which was labeled as the shooter in the murder Evangelista. Two other suspects were not identified.

Sitges The PNP filed charges against murder and carnapping the nine suspects before the Quezon City prosecutor.

Of the defendants, Raymond Dominguez, Parula Mendiola and sole custody. Dominguez voluntarily sought police custody on Saturday, hours after the arrest of Mendiola and reported in the province of Bulacan Parul.

Dominguez immediately denied any involvement in the case of Evans.

Evangelista has disappeared Jan. 14 after an alleged road test of Toyota Land Cruiser, somewhere in Quezon City to a potential buyer. His charred body was found four days later in the city of Cabanatuan.

Before the kidnapping-murder of Evangelista, another car dealer, Lozano Emerson, with his driver SENSIL Ernani, was reported missing Jan. 12 after meeting with a potential buyer of his truck Kia Carnival also in Quezon City.

Two days later the body was burned SenSil recovered in La Paz, Tarlac. The charred body Lozano, a son of the lawyer Oliver Lozano, was discovered the next day in Porac, Pampanga.

The police authorities have expressed their belief that the abduction-murder of Evangelista and Lozano was a craft group.

SC Acquits Hubert Webb in Vizconde Massacre Case

The Supreme Court today acquitted former senator’s son Hubert Webb and six others in connection with the celebrated Vizconde massacre case which happened in 1991.

“The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused,” court administrator and spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said.

Marquez said seven justices who voted for the acquittal are questioning the quality of the prosecution’s main witness.

“Jessica Alfaro is an NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) agent, not really an eye witness,” Marquez said.

“There were also suspicious details showing inherent inconsistencies, all corroboration cannot be relied on…In all, there is reasonable and lingering doubt on the guilt of the accused,” Marquez said.

The court also acquitted Antonio Lejano II, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Hospicio “Pyke” Fernande convicted for the 1991 murders.

Marquez said Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura who were never arrested and have been at large are not part of the acquittal.

“No proceedings were held against them,” Marquez said.

The high court ordered the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to release all the accused as soon as possible.

He added that Biong, who was convicted as an accessory to the crime, is also acquitted because he was specifically pointed by the government witness as the one who allegedly covered the tracks of Webb’s group.

No motion for reconsideration can be filed.

"No MR can be filed otherwise it is tantamount to double jeopardy."

President Aquino Admits Responsibility on Hostage Taking Incident

President Noynoy Aquino admits responsibility for tragic hostage taking incident 2 weeks ago. After a series of finger pointing and unfinished investigation going on, Philippine President Benignon Aquino III took responsibility for hostage taking which killed 10 citizens of Hong Kong.

“At the end of the day, I am responsible for everything that has transpired,” Aquino said in an interview with reporters in Manila.

President Aquino III also explained the roles of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and Undersecretary Rico Puno. The two are being grilled in an ongoing investigation regarding the incident, Robredo however is part of the investigating panel headed by DOJ Secretary Leila Delima.

Aquino said that Robredo was tasked with strengthening the Local Government Units (LGUs) while Puno is tasked with handling the police and security. With this pronouncement the blame is effectively transferred to Puno who is tasked and responsible for incidents like this.

It would be a courageous act for the President of the Philippines to take responsibility however Chinese and Hong Kong officials are demanding far more than that, they wanted a public apology from the Philippine government.

Animation Video Of The Hostage Taking

A video animation of what could have happened inside the bus during the hostage crisis in Manila last Monday was uploaded on YouTube. by a user named leon137 which has a title "Recreated Video of hostage bus drama in Philippines, Manila."

The video which now has 14,340 views is a 1:57 minute animated video showing the dismissed police officer Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza brandished his M-16 rifle and shot some hostages after he watched a footage on TV.

The TV footage Mendoza saw was most likely the live news reports which showed how his brother, Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza, was arrested by officers of the Manila Police Department on suspicion of being an accomplice of his brother.

Jason Leung, 18, who suffered from head injuries in the skull and is now in the Intensive Care Unite is believed to be the man in the video who was sitting beside the window and was hit in the head by a sledgehammer..

One of the hostages, a man, has been shown in the video behind Mendoza, in an apparent attempt to stop him. Mendoza, instead he turned and shot him. This man has landed on top of a woman, probably his wife. Suppose Leung Kam Wing (Ken Leung) and his wife.

Ms. Leung has survived the hostage crisis and was seen crying as he was led out of the bus by police. Later, Ms. Leung said her husband was sacrificed for others on the bus.

Miss Philippines 2010 Answer in Miss Universe

Although it has been a favorite in the Miss Universe beauty pageant, Miss Philippines 2010 has Venus Raj to impress the public because his answers were evasive and diplomatically ignored the question. Maybe she did not like this? Anyway Miss Philippines finished fourth in the Miss Universe 2010 contest held at the Mandalay Bay Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Venus Raj is a gorgeous woman, she sure looked like she could handle a simple question like William Baldwin’s: “What is one big mistake that you made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” It didn’t sound too bad, did it? Well, the 22-year-old beauty queen must have been too nervous to think about a good answer for this question and ended up saying pretty much nothing at all.

She thanked the audience, she thanked William for the question, she even thanked her parents for her success but her answer was evasive and obviously skipped the question. Miss Philippines 2010 Venus Raj told William Baldwin and the audience: “Thank you so much sir for that wonderful question. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Good evening Las Vegas. You know what sir, in my 22 years of existence, I can say there is nothing major major, I mean problem that I have done in my life because I am very confident with my family with the love that they are giving to me so thank you so much that I am here. Thank you thank you so much.”

Before that time, Miss Philippines seemed to take the initiative to score line as they had a score of 3.55, which is very good. Miss Universe 2010 was crowned Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, a beauty 22 years of Guadalajara.

You can watch Miss Philippines 2010 answer on the video below.

HK Furious After Hijacks Deaths

Around the world, Philippines headline news was all about the hostage taking in Manila yesterday. Today, the Philippines recognized the deficiencies "in the treatment of the hostage crisis that killed eight tourists from Hong Kong, as anger over the failed negotiations broke on Tuesday in Hong Kong, with demonstrations and harsh words.

A harrowing picture emerged of the victims - a mother of three children who lost their husband and two daughters, a teenager unconscious of the death of his parents and a guide that aims to become a teacher of yoga.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, facing his first major crisis since taking office on June 30, declared Wednesday a national day of mourning in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong to "share their sorrow," his spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Officials promised a full investigation into how the hijacker — a former policeman demanding his job back — was able to gun down eight of the 15 Hong Kong hostages on board the bus before a sniper killed him and officers were finally able to get into the vehicle. Seven other hostages survived the final bloodbath, which came after a 12-hour standoff at a seaside Manila park.

Philippine Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, who is in charge of the national police, acknowledged Tuesday there were problems with how the crisis was handled.

"Had we been better prepared, better equipped, better trained, maybe the response would have been quicker despite the difficulty," Robredo said.

He added, "All the inadequacies happened at the same time."

Philippine police had defended their actions — pointing out that officers lacking proper equipment had risked their lives in trying to bring the standoff to an end. But they promised to review all events leading to the deaths.

In Hong Kong, sorrow quickly evolved into outrage, with several of the semiautonomous Chinese territory's political parties leading protesters to the Philippine Consulate.

Demonstrators chanted, "You caused the deaths of Hong Kongers," and one protester scuffled with a security guard.

"We think the Philippine government used the wrong strategy. We think the operation failed," pro-Beijing legislator Lau Kong-wah told reporters.

Several Hong Kong newspapers printed mastheads in black, and flags in the territory flew at half-staff.

"Filipino police incompetent," Hong Kong's Ming Pao Daily News said in a front-page headline.

The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Committee added its voice to demands for an explanation, but also was "deeply concerned by people who are trying to blow this incident out of proportion" and who might vent anger through retaliatory attacks against thousands of Filipinos who work there, mostly as maids.

"This tragedy should not become a conflict of nationalities," it said in a statement.

Aquino on Tuesday met Chinese ambassador Liu Jianchao and phoned Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang to brief them on the investigation into the crisis that started when a dismissed police officer armed with a M16 rifle and a pistol seized a busload of 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos to demand his reinstatement on the force.

The ordeal ended in bloodshed on live TV with police storming the bus and killing the gunman, 55-year-old Rolando Mendoza, after he fired at the tourists.

Of the 25 people originally on the bus, 13 of the Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos survived. Nine of the survivors had been freed by Mendoza hours before the gunfire began.

Britain's Foreign Office said Tuesday that two of the hostages who were released were British nationals.

At the scene of the standoff, family of two dead hostages attended a Buddhist memorial ceremony Tuesday.

Weeping parents with monks walked around the bus, sprinkling water around the car riddled with bullets. Survivor Amy Ng mourned the death of her husband, Ken Leung, who said she confronted the man, and Doris and daughters Jessie, 21 and 14 years his son, Jason, was still in hospital after a operation on a head injury.

"I thought I would fight for survival so I could take care of my children, but two of them have already died," a sobbing Ng said Tuesday.

A bedridden, catatonic Tracey Wong told Hong Kong reporters she hid under a seat in the bus while Mendoza fired at the hostages.

"I want to find daddy and mommy quickly and see if they're OK," the 15-year-old said. But Hong Kong's radio RTHK reported that both her parents were among those killed, identifying her father as 51-year-old Wong Tze-lam.

Tour operator Hong Thai Travel Services general manager Susanna Lau praised a slain tour guide, 31-year-old Masa Tse, for his vigilance and decade-long service. TV footage showed him peeking out of the bus during his captivity and later one hand handcuffed to a position near the bus door.

Tse had studied yoga in India and wanted to become an instructor, Hong Kong's Cable TV reported, citing his friends. His Facebook page was flooded with messages of condolences. "I know you did your best to protect members of your tour group. You were very brave. Rest in peace. I will always miss you," friend Tulip Lam wrote.

Hong Kong has canceled tours to the Philippines and asked Hong Kong tourists still in the country to leave.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said the crisis would likely damage the industry. About 140,000 Hong Kong tourists come annually.

"I'm hoping it will be forgotten soon enough," he said in a Manila hospital, where some of the former hostages were treated.

"We will try to improve ourselves and assure the Hong Kong government and the rest of the world that we will be able to handle matters much better in the future," he said.

Hostage Taking in Philippines Is Over

Dismissed policemen who held over 20 foreign tourists hostage for close to 12 hours was killed by sniper fire, according to a television report.

It was not clear whether there were survivors from those taken hostage Monday by Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza who demanded his reinstatement after he was dismissed on drug-related offenses, which he denied.

Bursts of gunfire were heard from inside the tourist bus as lawmen have gone to the backdoor to force it open in the hope of seizing Mendoza and rescuing his hostages, footage on GMA Network showed.

A bystander, identified as a 10-year-old boy, was hurt following the gunshots and was brought to the hospital for treatment, according to the television report.

A police car moved closer while members of the raiding team continued to break into the back of the vehicle, video showed.

Ambulances have surrounded the bus.

The law enforcers initially broke the windows and tried to enter the front door of the stalled bus but were stopped by gunshots coming from inside.

Mendoza seized the tourist bus with over 20 Chinese nationals early Monday morning in Manila to demand his reinstatement into the force.

Mendoza was dismissed due to drug-related offenses but he denied the charges.

Hostage Taking In Manila

A dismissed police officer took hostage this morning a bus full of people, mostly tourists from Hongkong.

Sniper shots were fired Monday night near the bus where a hostage-taking incident was taking place, according to a live report on GMA News "24 Oras."

The driver of the bus, who was earlier reported handcuffed to the steering wheel, escaped moments after the shots were fired.

The shots forced media men covering the hostage crisis to scamper for safety, said GMA News anchor Mike Enriquez in his report.

In a separate report, Raffy Tima said the shots were fired after the bus showed signs of driving off where it was parked in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park.

The shots were also fired minutes after SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, brother of hostage-taker former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, was arrested by elements of the Manila Police District (MPD).

Nine of the more than 20 passengers of the bus, most of them Chinese tourists, had already been released and are now undergoing stress debriefing.

You can watch it now live on ANC.

Pag-ibig contribution mandatory to all OFW

Filipinos are now required to contribute to the Pag-Ibig fund if they intend to work abroad.

Based on a Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) directive, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be charged fees to be able to get their Overseas Employment Certificate. POEA’s Memorandum Circular 06, the mandatory coverage to the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund, which took effect yesterday, Sunday, August 1, involves a membership fee of P600 to be paid by the workers upon deployment.

The amount will cover 6 months. Thereafter, the workers will pay a monthly due of P100.

Those already working abroad will automatically be covered by the directive.

A rights group for Filipino migrants however hit the mandatory membership, saying OFWs are already saddled by several charges.

“Before it is only optional, not mandatory, thus giving OFWs and their dependents leeway to choose which is better, appropriate, and practical considering the family's priority, to get a housing loan from Pag-Ibig or just gradually built their own house from their earnings,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Besides the Pag-Ibig mandatory contribution, the OFW is also required to pay P1,164 for membership in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, P900 contribution to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and an additional P100 processing fee, he said.

“This is on top of other fees and charges imposed by the government and the placement fee collected by recruitment agencies,” he added.

Pag-Ibig however defended the move, saying the contribution should not be considered an additional tax.

In 2 years time, the worker will already be able to tap a loan from Pag-Ibig, Senior Vice President for Operations Alex Aguilar said.

Lawsuit will be filed against resigned PAL pilots

The president of Philippine Airlines (PAL) today said that management is considering suing 25 Filipino pilots who resigned en masse, leading to cancellations of 11 flights over the weekend.

In an interview, PAL President Jaime Bautista said the 13 pilots and 12 first officers were ordered to return to work in 7 days or face criminal and administrative charges. He said PAL has 150 flights a day, adding the cancellation of 5 flights alone meant a serious dent on daily operations.

"They resigned without complying with the 180-day notice. Flights are scheduled for 6 months and we need enough pilots to man the flights. The reason for the 180-day notice is to have the chance to get replacements and ensure that the flights leave on time," he said in an ABS-CBN "Umagang Kay Ganda' interview.

He said that in the case of the recent resignations "some pilots would file their resignations today and not show up for work the next day."

"We have 150 flights a day. Just 5 canceled flights can affect up to 5,000 people," he said.

On Monday, PAL management canceled 4 domestic flights due to lack of pilots. The 4 cancelled flights as of 8 a.m. are: including Manila-Iloilo (PR 147), Iloilo-Manila (PR 148), Manila-Bacolod (PR135), and Bacolod-Manila (PR136).

Better pay

Bautista admitted the flag carrier is losing accredited pilots to startup airlines who offer better pay.

"Other airlines can afford to pay higher salaries as they don't have to train. It costs P10 million to train pilots from the start to the point they become captain. Startup airlines who hire pilots that they don't have to train get substantial savings on training expenses," he said.

Pilots who undergo PAL training are required to stay with the company for at least 5 years. Bautista said of the 25 resigned pilots, only 2 have complied with the contract. "We hope that they return. We will give them a few days to return especially those who haven't left the country," he said.

He said accredited PAL pilots currently have an estimated P100,000 monthly basic pay, with an average productivity pay of P250,000. He said pilots could earn as much as P500,000 a month including benefits.

Redundacy?

A PAL pilot who resigned from the company in May said he chose to resign as the company began cutting-back on its pilots citing redundancy.

"I couldn't wait for the termination notice. I have a family to take care of. Some pilots were being made to resign and sign documents that said they were redundant. They had the choice to accept termination or be moved to the air team where salaries were lower," he said.

Bautista, however, denied ever forcing their pilots to resign.

"We don't have redundant regular pilots. Sometime in March, there was a slowdown in the airline industry and we decided to ground two planes. When you cut down on flights, you need less pilots but that does not mean they're taken out. We need more pilots specially when airline traffic normalizes, as was the case when the airline industry went on rebound in April. We need to keep hiring pilots," he said.

Impact on tourism

Speaking on ANC's "Headstart," Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim voiced reservations on the potential impact to the country's tourism industry if the labor dispute was not immediately resolved.

"This is a basically a labor dispute between management and employees. I only hope that its not going to prolong the dispute because if its a prolonged dispute then our image as a destination would be affected," Lim said.

"Hopefully, we will be able to come up with a resolution, so that the riding public is not inconvenience and the economy does not suffer because what is an inter-company dispute," President Benigno Aquino III said on Sunday.

A public duty

Capt. Amado Soliman, president of the Air Safety Foundation of the Philippines, said that while the pilots' reasons for leaving may be legitimate, they still have a responsibility to the public.

"Pilots are not like ordinary workers. They have a responsibility to the public. And the airline industry is a public utility. If you stop working, there must be a 30-day notice and pilots should honor their contracts. It would be unfair to the public if they just walked out," he said.

He said the matter should be threshed out by both PAL management and the resigned pilots.

PAL Spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo said PAL officials will meet with the pilots who left the airline on Wednesday.

PAL crew hit with resignations

But PAL appears headed for more problems. Even flight crews are reportedly warning to launch a labor strike, if PAL management refuses to heed their demands for a salary increase.

The PAL Flight Attendants' and Stewards' Association of the Philippines is complaining of unfair labor policies. The group's president, Bob Anduiza, said some airline staff have already left the country.

"The 747 staff has been reduced. Instead of 18 there are only 16 staff members, many have resigned because there is no job security. they are applying for work in other countries," he said.

The case of the flight crews is still pending at the National Labor Relations Commission.

Probe into PAL retrenchment

Meantime, the Anak-Pawis partylist filed a resolution at the House of Representatives, seeking an inquiry into the airline company's move to retrench some 2,600 employees.

"This is meant to understand the circumstances surrounding the issue and why 2,600 employees stand to be affected. We have to make sure that the right of workers is not being violated," Anakpawis party-list Rep.Rafael Mariano said.

Cory Aquino's first death anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino Inaugural Speech

Inaugural Speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III in English

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation.

I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen.

My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary.

Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.

Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have. Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of those who love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have you experienced exasperation and anger at a government that instead of serving you, needs to be endured by you? So have I.

I am like you. Many of our countrymen have already voted with their feet - migrating to other countries in search of change or tranquility. They have endured hardship, risked their lives because they believe that compared to their current state here, there is more hope for them in another country, no matter how bleak it may be. In moments when I thought of only my own welfare, I also wondered - is it possible that I can find the peace and quiet that I crave in another country? Is our government beyond redemption? Has it been written that the Filipino’s lot is merely to suffer?

Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is not Noynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, the Filipino’s problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives.

We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.

This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on election day.

During the campaign we said, “If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.” That is no mere slogan for posters -- it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration.

Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance.

The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I will set the example. I will strive to be a good model. I will not break the trust you have placed in me. I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and those who will join our government.

I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, the majority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.

To those who have been put in positions by unlawful means, this is my warning: we will begin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have become the norm for too long.

To our impoverished countrymen, starting today, your government will be your champion.

We will not disregard the needs of our students. We will begin by addressing the glaring shortage in classrooms and educational facilities.

Gradually, we will lessen the lack of infrastructures for transportation, tourism and trade. From now on, mediocre work will not be good enough when it comes to roads, bridges, and buildings because we will hold contractors responsible for maintaining their projects in good condition.

We will revive the emergency employment program established by former President Corazon Aquino. This will provide jobs for local communities and will help in the development of their and our economy.

We will not be the cause of your suffering or hardship. We will strengthen collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and we will fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs in order to fund our objectives for the public welfare, such as:

· Quality education, including vocational education, so that those who choose not to attend college or those who cannot afford it can find dignified livelihood;

· Improved public health services such as PhilHealth for all within three years;

· A home for every family, within safe communities.

We will strengthen the armed forces and the police, not to serve the interests of those who want to wield power with impunity, but to give added protection for ordinary folk. The armed forces and the police risk their lives daily so that the nation can live in peace and security. The population has doubled and yet their numbers remain unchanged. It is not right that those who make sacrifices are treated pitifully.

If there was a fertilizer scam in the past, today there will be security for farmers. We will help them with irrigation, extension services, and marketing their products at the best possible prices.

We are directing Secretary Alcala to set up trading centers that will directly link farmers and consumers thereby eliminating middlemen and opportunities for corruption. In this way, funds can be shared by farmers and consumers. We will make our country attractive to investors. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance to business. This is the only means by which we can provide jobs for our people.

Our goal is to create jobs at home so that there will be no need to look for employment abroad. However, as we work towards that end, I am ordering the DFA, POEA, OWWA, and other relevant agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers.

We will strengthen the process of consultation and feedback. We will strive to uphold the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.

We relived the spirit of people power during the campaign. Let it take us to good and effective governance. Those who believe in people power put the welfare of others before their own.

I can forgive those who did me wrong but I have no right to forgive those who abused our people.

To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

We are also happy to inform you the acceptance of Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the challenge of strengthening and heading a Truth Commission that will shed light on many unanswered issues that continue to haunt our country.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all -- may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. With proper governance life will improve for all. When we are all living well, who will want to go back to living under oppression?

If I have all of you by my side, we will be able to build a nation in which there will be equality of opportunity, because each of us fulfilled our duties and responsibilities equally.

After the elections, you proved that it is the people who wield power in this country.

This is what democracy means. It is the foundation of our unity. We campaigned for change. Because of this, the Filipino stands tall once more. We are all part of a nation that can begin to dream again.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.

No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years. No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.

We are here today because we stood together and believed in hope. We had no resources to campaign other than our common faith in the inherent goodness of the Filipino.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden I have only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations.

You are the ones who brought me here - our volunteers - old, young, celebrity, ordinary folks who went around the country to campaign for change; my household help who provided for all my personal needs; my family, friends, colleagues at work, who shared, cared, and gave their support; my lawyers who stayed all hours to guard my votes and make sure they were counted; and the millions of Filipinos who prevailed, kept faith, and never lost hope - I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfill the promises I made.

My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change.

Thank you and long live the Filipino people!

Inaugural Speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III in Filipino

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa – nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din — talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito — dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago — isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago — isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.

Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster — ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

· dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;

· serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

· tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili — lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all — may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalL defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong — kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito — ang ating mga volunteers — matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa — nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

Erap Did Not Vote Binay for Vice President?

Most people fear a failure of elections would happen and I doubt it if there were no problems on today's election. But I am still optimistic that all in all everything would turn out fine. There is a video which was uploaded in Youtube showing Former President and 2010 Presidentiables Erap Estrada casting his vote for the first automated election in the country.

Looking at the video, Erap skipped the row for the vice presidents and proceeded on choosing for the senators.

Here is a sample of a ballot so you have idea how the ballot looks like just in case you did not cast your vote today.

Did Erap really forgot to cast his vote for the position Vice President? Was there an intention of not voting Mayor Jejomar Binay for Vice President?

Will Willie Revillame Finally Leaves ABS CBN Wowowee?

Several days back, Willie Revillame was furiously mad and aired his extreme disappointment over Jobert Sucaldito, an entertainment columnist, radio show biz commentator, and segment host of the TV gossip program “The Buzz” and announced that he would resign if ABS CBN management refuse to fire Jobert.

Willie has been absent from Wowowee show for 3 consecutive days now. And the question of those people who want him out of the show is will he really leave the wowowee? ABS CBN news has reported that there were Anti Willie Revillame movement in Facebook which has around 33,ooo members. Checking the site now will show you that it increased to more than 40,ooo members.

There are also a PRO Willie Movement fan page on Facebook which has around 3,ooo members.

Do you think Willie Revillame will finally leave ABS CBN's show Wowowee?

Senatorial Candidate Wants GMA's Manicurist and Gardener Resume Disclose

A senatorial candidate's wants Malacañang to disclose the resume of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's manicurist the she assigned to the board of Love Fund and the gardener of the Palace as designated deputy of the Luneta Park Administration.

Former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Susan "Toots" Ople, senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party (NP), said the resume are released by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), manicurist Anita Carpon and gardener Armando Macapagal will be judge publicly whether they deserve such positions.

Ople was still believes that the public voice of the two appointments are not committed to the appointee but to the official that assigned them. Ople said, many government employees were demoralized from such appointment especially those who are removed due to conducted 'streamlining' of bureaucracy.

Time Magazine covers Aquino: 'Can Noynoy save the Philippines?'

MANILA —“An unlikely man of the moment.”

This is how the article in the April 26 issue of Time Magazine describes Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. “The Next Aquino: Can Noynoy save the Philippines?” has topped Time’s Most Read list as of 4 p.m. Friday.

It starts off with a description of Aquino’s campaign in Zamboanga: “While aides and well-wishers murmur around him, Aquino stands and holds out his arms as if awaiting handcuffs.

They are lined with scratches and bruises—the toll of ceaseless hours of plunging into throngs of supporters and pressing the flesh.

He grins: ‘It’s another demonstration of people power.’”

Time sums up the events that led to Aquino’s presidential bid: “By his own admission, Aquino would not be running at all had it not been for the massive outpouring of public grief and affection that followed his mother’s (former President Corazon Aquino) death from cancer last August,” Time reports.

“He says he now walks the same path first trod by his revered parents.

‘They made automatic in me the preference to take up the cudgels for those who have less in life, for the powerless,’ [Aquino] says.

‘Why should I veer away from their footprints?’”

Humble man

The article also quotes Cebu businessman, Chris Tio, a volunteer for the Aquino campaign as saying: “The senator is a humble man at an extraordinary moment. We’re in a fight for the soul of this nation.”

Says Time: “[Aquino] speaks eagerly and repeatedly about empowering the people by delivering them ‘freedom from hunger.’

His campaign has made curbing corruption its No. 1 goal; translated from Tagalog, its main slogan reads, ‘With No Corruption, There’s No Poverty.’”

The article also touches on Aquino’s family history and describes him as a “product of status quo.”

“Both his parents, Ninoy and Cory, came from pedigreed stock—landed, aristocratic families that have long been part of the ruling establishment,” says Time.

“Similarly, Aquino’s vice presidential running mate, Mar Roxas, is the grandson of Manuel Roxas, the country’s first President.”

Closest rival

The article also mentions Aquino’s closest rival Sen. Manny Villar, describing the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer as a “suave, smiling businessman with a rags-to-riches story.”

“Observers say the presidential race has become a contest between Villar’s populism (and deep pockets) and the Aquino family legacy,” Time reports.

“[Aquino] talks with ease and intelligence about his plans to expand the country’s middle class with microcredit programs, to boost industry, universalize health care, fix education and shake up the judiciary,” says Time.

“But there are doubts about how savvy an operator he will be when thrown deep into the murky world of Philippine politics.”

The article also quotes Inquirer columnist and former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director General Solita “Winnie” Monsod saying that Aquino “doesn’t have his father’s charisma, but he has his mother’s sincerity. Whether that’s enough, I don’t know.”

People remember

“The people remember his parents,” Monsod adds. “For them it’s like going back to Camelot.”

Says Time: “Aquino is more humble about his role, fitting for a person who has lived quietly for much of his life in the shadow of his parents’ legend.” “We are just instruments put in the right position to execute God’s will, Aquino tells Time. “I crossed my Rubicon in 1983,” he adds, referring to the year his father, the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated.

“I cannot accept that he would die for nothing.” And judging from the “confetti and shredded paper” billowing from out of the office buildings in Zamboanga, “the wail of sirens and the ceaseless chanting of ‘Noynoy!,’ neither can countless Filipinos.” Inquirer.net

Edu Manzano For Vice President

Former Optical Media Board Chairman(OMB) and television host Eduardo “Edu” Manzano Friday accepted the offer to be the vice presidential candidate of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, ending weeks of speculation as to who will be the running mate of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.

Actor and television host Edu Manzano will be the vice presidential bet of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, according to party vice chairman and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Teodoro, who remains lagging in presidential preference surveys, said Puno was instrumental in convincing Manzano to run with the Defense chief in the 2010 national elections.

"I would like to introduce to all of you this morning someone whom Secretary Teodoro has accepted to be his running mate and [a] person who has accepted the challenge of standing beside Secretary Teodoro in the quest to become the next president of the Republic of the Philippines and him the next vice president of the Republic of the Philippines. No other than former OMB chairman Edu Manzano," said Puno.

Teodoro said he was very pleased that Manzano accepted the invitation to become his running mate.

"Ang agenda namin pareho. Nag-uumpisa kami ng fresh. Nag-uumpisa kami dahil naniniwala kami sa prinsipyo ng Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Our agenda is the same. We are starting out fresh. We are starting this because we believe in the principles of Lakas-Kampi-CMD)," Teodoro said.

Manzano said Puno "played a very big role" in convincing him to run for vice president and support Teodoro all the way.

"You may not be of the knowledge that the good Secretary [Puno] has been like a mentor to me, and when he told me 'kausapin mo si Gibo,' (talk to Gibo) even before speaking to Secretary Teodoro I have already expressed my respect for Secretary Teodoro and my belief that he possesses all the qualities that are necessary to move this country forward," Manzano said.

"I would like to hitch my wagon on that of the good Secretary and be part of his team na siyang isusulong ang kinabukasan ng mamamayang Pilipino (that will work for the future of the Filipinos)," added Manzano.

The former OMB chairman told reporters after the press conference that he only finalized his decision on Thursday even though he and Puno have been discussing the idea months ago.

Aside from his discussions with Puno, his conversation with Teodoro two days ago wherein they discussed their plans for the country convinced him that he wanted to become the Defense chief's running mate, Manzano said.

Jacque Bermejo's Official Statement

There have been clamor going on in the cyberspace about a Filipina who they said issued a insensitive, careless statement against her fellow Filipinos on the aftermath of typhoon ondoy.

Here is Jacque Bermejos official statement.

"I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these."

The question here now is, is this true? Is this a case of identity theft? What can these social networking sites do to prove her innocence?

Feel free to comment and share what you think Jacque Bermejo can do to clean her name and reputation against this issue.

Former President Corazon Cory Aquino dead at 76

Former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino has died this morning after a battle with colon cancer.

Former President Cory passed away at 3:18 am, August 1, 2009 of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said in a statement outside the Makati Medical Centre in Manila, where his mother had been hospitalised.

Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino

To the world, she is the widow in yellow who toppled a dictatorship in a stirring show of People Power in 1986. To her native Philippines, she is the couragous president who single-mindedly restored the institutions of democracy.

Born to a political family, and later married to a popular politician. Cory Cojuangco Aquino managed to lead a life for half a century. After her husband was martyred in 1983, she became a public figure who would challenge a dictator and unexpectedly rise to her nation's presidency. She remains one of the world's most beloved icons of democracy.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Presidency

"Ours is a government that came to power borne on the shoulders of our people: we must therefore, govern on the basis of that same people power." For six years, President Corazon C. Aquino, tried to live up to those words by hewing close to the aspirations of the Filipino people.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Works

Even she was thrust into the public limelight. Cory Aquino has tried to bridge her spiritual inclinations with the need to refine and share her insights on strengtening democratic institutions. In many of her speeches, she has given her Prayer Power and People Power equal billing.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Advocacies

Mrs. Aquino has remained active in helping nurture the fragile Philippine democracy that was restored during her presidency. Largely through the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Foundation (BSAF), she has supported programs that promote people empowerment, peace and human rights. In recent years, she has devoted much time and energy to strengthening the infrastructure that would transform micro-enterprise development into a potent vehicle for raising “people power” to the next level, slowly creating a broad middle class that would fortify the foundations of Philippine democracy.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino's Tributes

Self-effacing by nature, Cory Aquino has characteristically shared the credit for the many accolades that she has received for leadership, international understanding and her commitment to freedom and democracy. Named, among others, as “Woman of the Year” by Time magazine in 1986 and “Filipino of the Century” by the Philippines Free Press in 2000, and conferred over 20 honorary doctorates, she has kept her feet firmly on the ground.

In her view, the limelight belongs to her martyred husband, to the courageous people who carried her on their shoulders and, above all, to God. This theme runs across much of the articles written about her, including the reflections shared during the inaugural symposium of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Center for Leadership in November 2004.

Here is a very nice video of our beloved Cory Aquino. This video a poem by Fr. Soc Villegas and put into music by Ryan Cayabyab. A must watch video titled Sumasampalataya Ako.