Top 10 Reasons Why Prosecution Team Still Not Ready for Impeachment Trial
Atty. Karen Jimeno
10. Easier to win votes with basketball courts than cases in trial courts
9. Still focused on the “just because we said so” approach to presenting evidence
8. Not yet finished researching how to get Bartlett’s Book of Quotations as acceptable jurisprudence
7. Distracted with issue of what shampoo Karen Jimeno uses
6. Distracted with issue of what shampoo Serafin Cuevas uses
5. Never really had to contend with shouts from voters of “Objection: immaterial, irrelevant, and impertinent” whenever they sang and danced on the campaign trail
4. Looking for English-Tagalog translator to win the Lito Lapid vote
3. Waiting for Miriam Defensor-Santiago to give a lecture on law to everyone
2. Praying Manong Johnny (Juan Ponce Enrile) will be true to his campaign promise: “Gusto ko happy ka”
1. Still waiting for defense team pants to go on fire
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About Chief Justice Renato C. Corona
On May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s term expired, Renato C. Corona was appointed as the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines, succeeding Reynato Puno who had reached the mandatory age of retirement. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 12, 2011.
Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm.
In 1992, Corona joined the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as Assistant Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, and concurrently served as head of the Malacañang Legal Office. In 1994, he was promoted to Deputy Executive Secretary and later Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and member of the Cabinet. In 1998, President Ramos awarded him the Philippine Legion of Honor medal, with the rank of officer.
In 1998, Corona became the chief of staff and spokesperson of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. When Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, Corona became the Presidential Chief of Staff.
Source: Dickie Soriano | Wikipedia
Photo from Fan Page at Facebook thru Flickr.com
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There’s a Filipino Park in Vancouver, BC
The Filipino Plaza public park in Vancouver, BC
Somewhere in Vanness Avenue, west of Sky Train’s Nanaimo Station, Vancouver, BC, sits a park Filipino-Canadians call the Filipino Plaza. The open park, sometimes referred to as a linear park, located underneath the Sky Train Expo Line, was one of the dozens of open parks built in 1986 as part of BC Transit’s Parkway Program showcasing different cultural parks on the 26-kilometre path that parallels the Sky Train.
Fronting this park is the colorful Sarimanok logo and a 2,000-red brick wall donated by the Filipino-Canadians who started the endeavor in the park. Construction of the park was made possible with the bayanihan spirit of Filipino-Canadian members of the “Filipino Plaza Committee of 1985.”
This year, the Filipino Plaza will be the official site of the Flag Raising ceremony to kick off the various Philippine independence celebrations in the lower mainland of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Source: Wikipedia
Photo from Wikipedia
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Migrant Filipino is South Korea Labor Union President
Michel Catuira, chairman of the Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants' Trade Union (MTU)
In 2009, Michel Catuira, a migrant Filipino worker in South Korea for many years, became a chairman of the Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants’ Trade Union (MTU), and the following year became the first foreign delegate in the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). After becoming chairman, he spent his days working in factories and his nights organizing workers.
The Korean government has not regarded the MTU’s activities with pleasure. Three of its past chairpeople have been the objects of “target crackdowns” by immigration authorities and forcibly deported. Catuira was almost deported until the Seoul Administrative Court took Catuira’s side, saying, “I suspect that Seoul Immigration Office’s handling of the case may have been because of the plaintiff’s labor union activity.”
South Korea is not a signatory to the United Nations’ International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which stipulates the right of migrant workers and their families to be free from discrimination compared to citizens of the country where they work, and includes the right to form labor unions.
However, Catuira is returning back to the Philippines to care for his grandmother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. His cousin, who looked after the ailing grandmother, is leaving to work in the United States. Catuira is expected to be back in the Philippines at the end of this month.
Source: The Hankyoreh
Photo taken from No Base Stories Korea
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Fil-Am Spearheads California School to Help Sendong Victims
from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California
When Vladimir Villapando heard about the devastating typhoon that struck southern Philippines in December, he knew he needed to do something.
“It hit close to home,” said Villapando, who grew up in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States.
So he looked to his school, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Newhall, where he serves as athletic director and spearheaded a donation drive.
And the private Catholic school stepped up: families gathered nearly 20 boxes of clothes, three boxes of shoes, two boxes of school supplies, three boxes of toiletries and toys and 14 cases of canned goods.
Read more at The Santa Clarita Valley Signal
Photo from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California
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Branding Yourself for 2012 is a Must
Randell Tiongson, Director of the Registered Financial Planner Institute Philippines, columnist of renowned broadsheets, 2011 Outstanding Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas, and a host of other distinctions, is conducting a half-day seminar entitled “Personal Branding for Finance Practitioners.” He writes in his blog:
“This interactive, engaging and practical seminar will help you understand, create and send out the unique brand that is YOU. Today’s business world is fast paced and so are the decisions and judgments we are making. There are more than a lot of business men and women, financial advisors, entrepreneurs both young and experienced bringing the same products, skills and services to your field in the industry. But why do some people still stand out above the rest? Best bet is that these people, consciously or not, have their own unique personal brand.”
I have attended a few of Randell’s seminars and have always been both entertained and educated by the simplicity of his presentations in a topic that normally generates, in Randell’s words, “nosebleed!”
Take a ganter into his upcoming seminar. It’s guaranteed to make a difference in you.
Source: Randell Tionson’s Blog
Image from Randell Tiongson’s Blog
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New Tourism Slogan – It’s More Fun in the Philippines
The new Philippine tourism slogan: Like or Dislike?
The Department of Tourism today launched its newest tourism slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Including a Twitter hashtag #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines, many expressed mixed feelings of optimism, caution, disappointment and a wait-and-see attitude. Some expected more creativity than what was launched while others, including this author, are more concerned with the safety, security, and convenience of tourists visiting the country for the first time than a new campaign slogan.
I wrote about Philippine tourism, “Moments of Truth in Philippine Tourism,” where I mentioned:
“Think about it! The moment a tourist boards a plane bound for the Philippines, the customer experience begins and ends the moment he steps back into an airplane bound for his country of origin. Is the customer experience what we’d like it to be if we were in his or her shoes? Today, I will stand by my observation that the customer experience in Philippine tourism experience is at its low side, not necessarily worst.”
Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., who announced the new tourism campaign slogan today, said the new brand campaign will be rolled out “this quarter in different key markets, along with its local tourism drive called #1 for fun Philippines.” He expects to attract 4.2 million tourists in 2012 using the campaign of which total project cost is still undisclosed. The tourism department’s landmark target in 2016 is to hit 10 million tourist arrivals.
The rectangular colored logo to the right of the slogan represents the Philippines using the idea of a “banig” (or a hand-woven native mat).
What do you think?
Source: Business World | ABS-CBN News
Images of photo from dot.gov.ph
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First International Skyrunning Race Set in the Philippines
Training climb at Mt. Ugo
The Pilipinas Akyathlon (Philippine Skyrunning), the country’s first ever international mountain trail high altitude race, is all set on February 18 at Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet. The race will be a 32.88 km race going up the 2,150 meters above sea level summit of Mt. Ugo and back to the barangay hall of Tinongdan, Itogon.
The Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA), a non-stock, non-profit organization that started in January 2009, says this is the first of its kind in Asia to be accredited by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF). It is also part of the eco-tourism thrust of the PSA to advocate carry zero-waste and the use of recyclable and reusable materials in the said event. Thus, they have partnered with local environmentalist group, Cordillera Conservation Thrust (CCT).
Mt. Ugo is known for its annual summer climb which won last year in the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ (ATOP) Search for Best Tourism Event in the Philippines under the Sports, Adventure and Wellness Category – Municipal Level.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
Photo by clariza at Flickr.com
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All Books Imported to Philippines Are Now Tax-free
Browsing for books
Whether for personal or commercial use, the Department of Finance (DOF) signed Department Order No. 57-2011 detailing the guidelines to this new law of duty- and VAT-free status of books imported into the Philippines, including clearance procedures for customs-related agencies. The law however disallows publication for advertising purposes.
This new law reiterates the UNESCO Florence Agreement which the Philippines signed to waive tarrifs on books and other printed materials used in educational, scientific and cultural intentions.
“Individuals, who import books for personal use whether as accompanied baggage or through couriers or post office, do not need to secure an endorsement from the DOF Revenue Office. However, these importations should be cleared and released through the required declaration of goods under existing regulations,” ABS-CBN News wrote. However, importation of books is limited to twelve for an institution and six for an individual.
For commercial book importers, they must present an endorsement from the Finance Department’s Revenue Office so it can be exempted from duties and taxes. This includes a Certification from the UNESCO Office in the Philippines attesting that the importation/s is/are covered by the Florence Agreement.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Photo by specialkrb at Flickr.com
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Official Philippine Holidays for 2012
Planning your holidays for 2012
Malacañang Palace came out with an official decree declaring the different types of national holidays for the year 2012 for government units, businesses and schools in the country.
Only the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha has not yet been officially declared. The exact dates of the national holiday for these religious holidays shall be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined upon the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) informing the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.
Source: Official Gazette of the President of the Philippines
Download PDF: Proclamation 295
Photo by vergara_dominic at Flickr.com
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More on How to Help Typhoon Sendong Victims
More updates on how to help Typhoon Sendong (Washi) victims in Mindanao through the United Nations, Canadian Red Cross and the La Salle community – donations, volunteers, wire transfer and bank deposits. PLEASE SHARE!
Image from various sources
Image from various sources compiled by Raffy Pekson II
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New Training Center in Philippines for Cebu Pacific Air
The ATR cockpit is state-of-the-art technology
Cebu Pacific Air and CAE, the world’s leader in aviation training, recently signed a joint venture agreement amounting to 40-50 million U.S. Dollars seeks to establish an aviation training center for airline companies in the Asia Pacific region. This center will be build inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
The new center will initially cater to pilot type-rating training and “wet” instructor-led type-training for the Airbus A319/320/321. Initial, recurrent, conversion and jet indoctrination training will be available to other Airbus operators. The state-of-the-art training center will be developed in consultation with CAE’s training facilities design team. It will initially be equipped with two Airbus A320 FFSs with capability to expand by two additional simulators.
The aviation academy is expected to provide training for other aviation personnel in the future, such as cabin crew, dispatch, ground handling personnel and cadets.
Read more at Market Watch (WSJ)
Photo from Cebu Pacific Air website
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La Salle Green Hills Accepts Donations for Typhoon Sendong Victims
Photo of La Salle Green Hills dome.
La Salle Green Hills will start receiving donations for the victims of Typhoon Sendong beginning 8:00am Monday (tomorrow), December 19, 2011.
If you haven’t been catching up on Philippine local news, this typhoon hit parts of Mindanao, specifically Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, where HUNDREDS of Filipino lives were lost.
Kindly “SHARE” this to your social media networks so that God’s presence can shine upon you who are willing to help and those you are able to help during this calamity-stricken Christmas season. Your compassion and generosity will definitely be appreciated.
Donations in cash and kind can be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550. You may also call any of the following telephone numbers for further inquiries:
Aluimni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)
ADDENDUM:
For those outside of the Philippines who wish to donate cash, Bro. Raffy Reyes, FSC, President of La Salle Iligan, has informed the La Salle community that they have just opened a savings account with Bank of the Philippine Islands (or BPI). Please make your cash donations to:
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account Name: La Salle Academy
Account Type: Savings
Account No: 9353-0377-62
Swift code: BOPIPHMM
Bank address:935 Quezon Avenue Cor Lluch St. Iligan City
Bank telephone number: +63 (63) 223-8053; +63 (63) 223-8054
ADDENDUM 2:
La Salle Green Hills is in need of volunteers and donations. Though used clothing are still accepted, PRIORITY DONATIONS at the moment are as as follows:
NEW Underwear
Blankets
Sleeping mats
Food (avoid pork canned goods)
Slippers
Towels
Soap
Shampoo
Tetanus vaccine
Through generous friends and alumni, we can air freight your donations directly to Cagayan de Oro where we are assured of military assistance in getting the goods to La Salle Academy Iligan for distribution to affected areas. Trucks and other large vehicles for carrying the donations will also be appreciated.
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American Electronics Company to Invest $300m in Philippines
Philippine Stock Market Board.
An unnamed American company that produces computer parts and accessories may invest $300 million in the country by transfering its current facilities from Japan to the Philippines, Ma. Elisa P. Osorio of the Philippine Star reported last Monday. It looked into leasing facilities at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City or TIPCO Industrial Estates in Mabalacat, both located in the province of Pampanga.
The Chicago-based company already has three sites outside the United States: Japan, China and Singapore. The Philippine site will be producing products for its clients in the ASEAN region and the United States. Philippine Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio refused to name the company but said “it is the second largest in the world in its line of business.”
Read more at The Philippine Star
Photo by thewalkingirony at Flickr.com
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Century Properties Uses Facebook for Charity Work
Century Properties embarked on a Facebook Page campaign by promising to fund 50 operations of children born with cleft lip or cleft palate deformity. The only thing they ask is you “LIKE” the Facebook Page. They are shooting for 15,000 page fans by New Year’s day.
Even global celebrity Lea Salonga retweeted (RT) a Tweet on Twitter about “liking the page.”
Go to Century Properties Facebook Page now!
Poster taken from Century Properties Facebook Page
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Free Money Talk Seminar for Filipinos in Macau
The Philippine Consulate Office in Macau, with Every Nation Macau, has invited Randell Tiongson to a talk on personal finance on Friday, December 9, 2011.
Image from RandellTiongson.com
Source: RandellTiongson.com
Image from RandellTiongson.com
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Expanded Family Visa Bill in U.S. to Benefit Filipinos
United States tourist visa stamp on a passport
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure to expand the number of family visas for hopeful immigrants with relatives in the U.S. on Wednesday.
The legislation, which passed 389-15, was a rare example of bipartisan accord on immigration, an issue that largely has been avoided during the current session of Congress because of the political sensitivities involved. The bill, said its sponsor, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, “does encourage high-skilled immigrants who were educated in the U.S. to stay and help build our economy rather than using the skills they learned here to aid our competitor nations.”
Currently, the State Department issues about 140,000 such green cards a year to foreign nationals working in the United States, often after getting degrees from U.S. universities.
These visas cover relatives like sons and daughters, over the age of 21, of U.S. citizens; spouses and minor children of legal U.S. permanent residents; and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, among others.
The Obama administration in its first two years failed in several major efforts to change immigration law, and this year the issue has largely been off the table, with Republicans making clear that anything suggesting amnesty for those in the country illegally would be rejected.
The approved house bill will now go to the Senate for a vote.
Source: Balitang America | News Channel 8 | KIRO-TV
Photo from Dominica Weekly
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Distrito Makati is a New Weekday Lifestyle Market
From the organizers of Mercato Centrale comes Distrito Makati
From the same organizers of the famed Mercato brand of night market of food, fashion and other products comes one right by your neighborhood in Makati. Heck! Even the patients at adjacent Makati Medical Center can opt to dine in its comfortable, well-ventilated environment if they’re sick and tired of hospital food. And free wi-fi, too!
They opened Friday last week or “Black Friday” as Americans call it.
Remember that open parking lot right beside the Makati Medical Center at the end of Amorsolo Street, or ending up at Ayala Avenue? Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, starting at 9:00pm, they open Distrito Makati to offer some tasty meals as well as fashion, beauty, wellness and household products. The market ends at three o’clock in the morning.
If you are interested to become a concessionaire for Distrito Makati, please email the organizers at admin@distritomakati.com or text 09178401152.
Source: Mercato Centrale
Image from Mercato Centrale
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Filipina Solo Piano Performance at Kathmandu Jazz Festival
Piano Recital at Russian Centre for Science and Culture and workshop at KJC on November 18 and 19 by a famous Pianist, Adolovni Acosta from USA
Adolovni Acosta, originally from the Philippines, performed at the Russian Culture Centre on November 18, mesmerizing the audience with her two-and-a-half hour long program. The piano concert was organized by the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory (KJC) to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Franz Liszt, German composer and pianist.
“Her musical performance was like storytelling, and the high and low notes gave an impression that the story had reached its climax. The different notes produced made her performance even more interesting and vibrant. The last piece Un Sospiro narrated the story of pianist Liszt’s beloved — it narrated what she was like and her immense love for Liszt,” the article from The Himalayan read.
Read more at The Himalayan
Photo from Kathmandu Jazz Festival
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McDonald’s Philippines McHappy Day on Nov 27
McDonald’s will be holding it’s annual McHappy Day Fun Run on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at the Piazza Mall, McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio City. The run is for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the charity of choice of McDonald’s, and its banner program Bright Minds Read (BMR).
You can register online through www.mchappyday.com.ph or in the following registration centers: McDonald’s outlet in Alabang Town Center, El Pueblo, Greenbelt 1, Greenhills, and Piazza Mall at McKinley Hill. Participating McDonald’s stores accept registrations between 3PM to 9PM on Fridays and 7AM to 9PM on Weekends. You may also register at Runnr on Bonifacio High Street. Registration is only until November 20, 2011.
Source: www.mchappyday.com.ph
Poster from mchappyday.com.ph
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Fil-Am Cuisine at Metro Orlando
Fil-Am Cuisine along W. Vine Street in Kissimmee, FL
The message reads: “Drop into Fil-Am Cuisine for good times and great food. The restaurant is a neighborhood favorite, and offers a casual, friendly dining atmosphere that you and your friends are sure to enjoy. Fil-Am Cuisine also features a friendly, professional staff of great people, who will make sure your visit is memorable and that Fil-Am Cuisine lives up to its reputation for pleasant dining and superb cuisine. The menu offers an inspired array of selections that is sure to satisfy everyone in your group, every time. Be sure to ask your server about new selections, daily specials, and special chef’s creations. Whether you’re in the mood for casual dining or a special occasion, Fil-Am Cuisine is sure to please.”
Fil-Am Cuisine
3197 W. Vine St.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 847-7121
Cuisine: Asian
Price: $
Hours: Mondays through Saturdays, 11:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Amenities: TV
Atmosphere: Family / Children
Attire: Casual
Service: Sit Down, Carry Out
Meals: Dinner, Lunch
Parking: Parking on Site
Reservations: Suggested
Special Features: Booster/High Chairs, Non Smoking Area, Wheelchair Access
Payment Methods: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Cash
Source: Restaurant.com
Photo from Restaurant.com
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28 Percent of US Immigrants Come from Asia
In operation until 1954, the immigration station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) reports that 28 percent of all immigrants in the United States – about 11 million – hail from Asia. Asians are the second largest immigrant group after Latinos, with nearly half coming from the Philippines, India and China and residing in California, New York and Texas.
Asian immigrants are perceived as “model minorities” who work hard, do well, and don’t complain. In the American imagination, they do not seem to share the challenges faced by other immigrant groups.
Nearly half of Asian immigrant adults have a college degree or higher. Among all immigrants, Asians are more concentrated in management, information technology, and science and engineering. A majority of immigrant doctors and nurses are from Asia.
MPI estimates that Asian immigrants accounted for 11 percent of all unauthorized immigrants in 2010. The Department of Homeland Security counts among the undocumented 280,000 Filipinos, 200,000 Indians, 170,000 Koreans and 130,000 Chinese.
Read more at WNYX New York Public Radio
Photo by wallyg at Flickr.com
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Live Pacquiao-Marquez Fight at Italiannis
Pacquiao-Marquez fight will be shown live at three Italiannis restaurants
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Showing only at Trinoma, Bonifacio High Street, and Greenbelt branches!
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Philippine Catholic Online Site for the Dead
Banner image at Undas Online
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has created a website designed to service Filipinos away from the country who would like to seek prayers and requests for masses for their departed loved ones. This is in line with the annual All Saints Day and All Souls Day ritual where Filipinos congregate at cemeteries and columbariums to honor their dead, the tradition known as “Undas.”
The site lists news and resources, prayers, requests for masses (the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of souls) and a FAQ page. When one sends a mass request for their departed loved one, the name of the person will be included in the masses that will be celebrated at the CBCP Chapel in Intramuros, Manila, from November 1 to 8, 2011, at 11:30 in the morning.
Sources: Undas Online | Manila Bulletin | Vancouver Sun
Image from Undas Online
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