FORMER PHL CONSULATE EXEC IN DUBAI FACES CRIMINAL RAPS

THE Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to file criminal charges before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court against a former employee of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In separate Informations, former Finance Officer/ Foreign Service Staff III Ginia Rica Concha was charged with Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code) and Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, DFA Assistant Secretary for Personnel and Administrative Services against Concha who was previously assigned at the Dubai Philippine Consulate General (Dubai-PCG) from November 27, 2004 to August 21, 2006.

Investigation conducted by the Dubai-PCG revealed that “as of March 31, 2007, Dubai PCG’s local currency collection amounting to AED 106,706.11 (P1,399,702.16) was in the custody of respondent but was not deposited nor turned over to the incoming Finance Officer resulting in the loss of said funds.”

In Concha’s Memorandum dated 13 June 2007, she admitted and took full responsibility for the loss of the Dubai funds and likewise executed an affidavit of undertaking and acknowledgment of accountability.

In a seven-page Resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman determined that all the elements of Malversation are present in this case, relying heavily on her Memorandum in which “she appeared to have admitted her liability.”

She was charged with graft for causing undue injury to the government because it was deprived of the amount derived from the Philippine Consulate services of Dubai which should have been deposited with or turned over to the incoming Finance Officer.

President Aquino confirms declaration of Fernando Poe, Jr. as National Artist

Pinagtibay ni Pangulong Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III ang posthumous National Artist award sa yumaong Hari ng Pelikulang Pilipino na si Fernando Poe, Jr.

Inilabas ng Malacañang nitong Biyernes, July 27, ang Proclamation No. 435 na nagkukumpirma sa pagkakahirang kay FPJ bilang National Artist for Films noong 2006.

Narito ang bahagi ng statement:

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me by law, I Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, do hereby confirm the declaration of Ronald Allan K. Poe a.k.a. Fernando Poe Jr. (Posthumous) as National Artist as conferred in Proclamation No. 1069, dated May 23, 2006.”

Naideklarang National Artist si FPJ noong 2006 sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Subalit tumanggi noon ang asawa ni FPJ na si Susan Roces na tanggapin ang parangal ng Malacañang dahil sa galit niya sa dating pangulo.

Matatandaan na naging mahigpit na magkalaban noong 2004 presidential election sina FPJ at Arroyo, na ngayo’y congresswoman na ng Pampanga.

Isa si Susan sa mga nanawagan na mag-resign noon sa posisyon si Arroyo bilang presidente dahil sa akusasyong pandaraya sa eleksyon.

Nang maupo bilang pangulo si PNoy noong 2010, nagpahayag ang pamilya ni FPJ na handa na nilang tanggapin ang National Artist award sa ilalim ng pamamahala nito.

Namatay si FPJ, 64, pitong buwan matapos ang halalan noong 2004 dahil sa “thrombosis with multiple organ failure.” — Nerisa Almo, PEP

PAGASA: Expect brief but heavy rain on weekend, SONA Monday

The brief but heavy rain showers and thunderstorms that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces since Thursday night may persist all the way to Monday, when President Benigno Aquino III delivers his State of the Nation Address, state weather forecasters said Friday.

In its special three-day weather outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said such rain is due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by an active low-pressure area (ALPA) over Extreme Northern Luzon.

“The southwest monsoon enhanced by the ALPA over extreme northern Luzon will continue to bring scattered rain showers (light to moderate rains) and thunderstorms (brief but heavy rain showers) over Metro Manila,” PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said.

Similar weather conditions may be expected over Luzon and Visayas especially the western sections, he added.

Earlier, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the ALPA is expected to intensify into a cyclone while inside Philippine territory. If it does, it will be codenamed “Ferdie.”

“Asahan natin maulan pa rin sa Lunes lalo sa Luzon at Visayas. Ang active low-pressure area inaasahan natin lalabas sa Philippine area of responsibility maaring Sabado o Linggo, at kung magtagal maaring Lunes,” Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB radio. (GMA News)

Olympics: Team USA thrashes Britain in basketball warm-up

MANCHESTER – The United States warmed up for the defense of their Olympic men’s basketball title by handing hosts Britain a 118-78 thrashing before a 17,000 sell-out crowd on Thursday.

Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony each scored 19 points among six Americans in double figures while Britain’s NBA All-Star Luol Deng led all scorers with 25 points at the MEN arena.

The win came 10 days before the U.S. face France in their opening Group A game at the London Olympics. Argentina, Tunisia, Nigeria and Lithuania are also in their section.

The Americans were hugely popular with the Manchester crowd and the names of players such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were greeted with louder cheers than those of their British counterparts in the pre-match introductions.

Portland Trailblazers’ new signing Joel Freeland put Britain 2-0 ahead but that was the closest the home crowd would come to dreaming of an upset over the world renowned Americans.

A 10-0 run at the end of the first period put the U.S. 33-20 in front and they were 55-37 ahead at halftime before winning comfortably, though the players are taking nothing for granted.

“If we don’t come to play, if we’re not ready, we can be beat,” said Williams, a point guard with the Brooklyn Nets. “Teams could beat us.

“Spain is one of them, Brazil is one of them, Argentina is one of them and we’re playing all three teams in warm-up games so hopefully that will help us.

“We realize we have some flaws in our game and we have to sew them up,” he added.

Second-half collapse

Britain coach Chris Finch was unhappy with his team’s second-half collapse and blamed mental lapses for a heavy defeat but he warned that the U.S. were not guaranteed to win gold.

“Every game has to be played out, every possession has to be played out,” said Finch. “Of course they can be beaten. There are a lot of quality players, a lot of experienced teams in the field.

“The Americans shot the ball extremely well and they have to continue to do so. They’re the best team in the tournament, no doubt, but there are a lot of teams who could beat them on any given day.”

The skills of the U.S. team were certainly appreciated by the home crowd and the Americans are likely to be not only among the biggest gold medal favorites but also the most popular.

“We love Great Britain, we’re brothers and I think the fans here are really appreciative of outstanding basketball,” said U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“The one thing about Great Britain is you appreciate someone who is really good in their sport. There is an etiquette there, a respect, that transcends all sports in Great Britain.

“If an opponent is that good, you acknowledge that and our guys really played hard tonight. It was just a really good night for basketball in Great Britain.”

The hosts face Australia, Brazil, China, Spain and the Russian Federation in their Group B games starting on July 29 (July 30, PHL time). – Reuters

Dolphy was proud to be OFW in Hong Kong in 1940s

Dolphy was proud to have been one of the first OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Hong Kong in the 1940s, having been a young dancer and errand boy there, struggling like the masses of Filipinos who later adored him.

Dolphy, born Rodolfo Quizon Sr. in Tondo, Manila on July 25, 1928, passed away at age 83 on Tuesday at 8:34 p.m. in Makati due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dolphy was rushed to the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center on June 9, after complaining of difficulty in breathing. He also suffered from pneumonia and kidney ailments.

In an interview with GMA News in 2009, Dolphy recalled how, at just over 20 years old, he worked as a dancer in Hong Kong in the late 1940s. When not on stage or the dance floor, he was also an errand boy.

“Nagsasayaw lang ako, may boss din akong nagdala sa akin, errand boy din ako and at the same time nagsasayaw din ako,” he recalled.

“Unang dating ako, nakikisama ako at gusto kong matuto, ako ang pinaka-errand boy ng pinakaboss ko. Tsaka, marunong-runong ako ng English,” he said.

He said his attitude of being “mabilis at masipag,” was probably the reason why was entrusted to run errands for his boss.

In a concert in Hong Kong in 2009, Dolphy introduced himself as an OFW and told the audience, “Alam nyo ba 1950 pa lang, nagtatrabaho na ko dito..”

Advice for OFWs: Don’t gamble

Dolphy encouraged OFWs to protect their hard-earned money.

“Dapat ingatan nyo, kung nagsusugal, huwag kayong magsusugal. Yan ang unang-unang iwasan yang sugal… Daig lahat ng sugal,” Dolphy said.

He added: “Be practical.”

“Kain ka nang kain sa labas, bumili ka na lang ng naka-stock sa bahay. Kasi kami ganoon eh. Meron akong loaf of bread,” he said.

He even recalled how much the Philippine peso fared against the Hong Kong dollar.

“Ang pera natin mas mahalaga kaysa sa pera nila. Natatandaan ko ang one peso is two dollar and eighty cents. Ang value — 2 is to 2, or 3 is to 1 ang pera natin.”

He said “masarap ang buhay at mura ang bilihin noon.”

After his stint as an OFW in Hong Kong, Dolphy became one of the most popular actors in the Philippine movie and television industry, having starred in over 200 movies, including the hit TV sitcom “John en Marsha” where he played the role of John Purontong.

Dolphy was born in Tondo, Manila to Melencio Espinosa-Quizon, a ship mechanic, and Salud Vera Quizon.

The Comedy King was the eldest of 10 children that included Corazon, Josefina (Josie), Melencio Jr. “Junior,” Laura, Aurora (Auring), Jorge (Georgie), Jaime (Jimmy), Teresita and Jaime.

Dolphy had 18 children from six different women:
six children with Grace Dominguez,
four with Gloria Smith,
four with Baby Smith,
one with Vangie Tagulao,
one with actress Alma Moreno, and
two (one was adopted) with singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Dolphy never married any of the six women he was with. — VVP/HS, GMA News

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US conducting drone strikes in the Philippines?

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Sunday called on the Philippine government to disclose the truth behind a New York Times report that the United States military conducted a drone strike in the Philippines in 2006.

The July 6, 2012 New York Times article by Mark Mazzetti called The Drone Zone claims that a Predator drone fired a “barrage of Hellfire missiles” in the “jungles of the Philippines”. The drone strike was an attempt to kill Indonesian Bali-bomber Umar Patek.

The New York Times article said that the drone strike was reported as a “Philippine military operation”.

The strike failed to kill Patek, who was recently convicted by an Indonesian court for 20 years for his role in the Bali Bombings.

“Is the US unilaterally conducting these drone strikes in violation of our laws and of the VFA itself? From the looks of it, the claim that the US is not engaged in direct combat in the Philippines is a patent lie being perpetuated by both the US and Philippine governments,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. in a statement.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Reyes also voiced his suspicions that the February 2012 air strike that killed Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir, and Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu, was actually a drone attack.

Reyes said that the U.S. and Philippine governments later revealed that the air strike was conducted with an American guided “smartbomb” dropped from a Philippine plane.

“The Philippine Air Force is not capable of this kind of pinpoint air strike. The strike was done at 2 a.m.,” said Reyes, “Imagine the visibility at that hour.”

Dr. Abu was said to be involved in the 2001 the Dos Palmas and Sipadan, Malaysia kidnapping incidents.

“While the PH government must deal decisively with suspected terrorists, it is unacceptable to allow a foreign power to conduct combat operations in our country. This makes us no different from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq,” he added.

Furthermore, Reyes said that these drone strikes places Filipinos at risk.

“Just remember the countless civilians that have died in Pakistan and Afghanistan because of these drone strikes conducted by the U.S.,” Reyes said.

Drone strikes ban

In a March 2012 Agence France-Presse interview, President Benigno Aquino III said the Philippines is only allowing US drones to conduct reconnaissance flights over Philippine territory. Strikes from the unmanned planes are banned.

When asked whether the Philippines would allow, or had allowed, US drones to drop bombs, Aquino said that would violate a ban on the American forces from participating in combat operations.

“No drone strikes,” he said.

According to the report, hundreds of American troops have been helping to contain an Islamic militant threat for a decade.

“They are here as advisers. They are here as trainers. They can not participate in combat operations,” said Aquino.

As of posting time, Neither the Department of National Defense nor the Armed Forces of the Philippines could be reached for comment regarding the New York Times story or Bayan’s allegations. — DVM/LBG, GMA News

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NPC condemns DOJ eviction of 2 press corps

THE National Press Club condemned the decision of Department of Justice (DOJ) Sec. Leila de Lima to evict from the department’s premises in Manila its two recognized press corps based on an alleged report by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) that members of the press have become a “security threat” to its officials.

“We find the DOJ’s action suspicious; this a ‘cloaked censorship’ aimed at restraining the media from gathering information especially from officials and personalities who are connected with the office of the DOJ secretary (OSEC),” declared NPC president Benny Antiporda.

He noted that the two press corps at the DOJ main building, JUCRA (Justice and Court Reporters Association) and JUROR (Justice Reporters Organization) has been staying on the same floor where the office of De Lima is located so they can immediately gather news on important issues that need the immediate reaction of the justice secretary.

The JUCRA has been holding office at the DOJ since 1977 while the JUROR has also been given accommodation by the department since the 1980s, during the time of Pres. Corazon Aquino.

“Now the DOJ officials want the media out of the building allegedly because of a NICA report that they have become a ‘security threat.’ We (members of the press) are not born yesterday,” Antiporda said.

Antiporda said it is not wild to speculate that de Lima’s order to ban members of the press from the building housing her office and to remove them from as far away as they can be from other top DOJ officials is to cover-up for the ‘sin of commission’ by some justice officials with their habit of releasing reports of DOJ investigation of sensitive issues.

“Instead of focusing on how to suppress press freedom it would be better for Sec. De Lima to give more protection to the media by solving the many incidents of media killing that should have been the primary task of the DOJ’s Task Force 211,” he added.

Citing a purported report from the NICA claiming the presence of members of the press inside the DOJ main building poses a threat to DOJ security, its officials headed by three undersecretaries—Jose Vicente Salazar, Francisco Baraan III and Leah Armamento—gathered on Thursday members of the JUCRA and JUROR to inform them of their eviction ordered by Sec. Leila de Lima.

When pressed for a copy of the report, the officials however declined to provide any.

Hold those behind the killing of Geertman responsible—Dutch envoy

The Dutch government on Friday urged Philippine officials to seriously go after those behind the killing of its national, a non-government organization worker, shot dead in Pampanga last Tuesday.

Dutch Ambassador Robert Brinks said he was “shocked and saddened” by the recent murder of Willem Geertman, 67, and “conveyed his sympathy to those dear him.”

Brinks, in a statement, noted Geertman’s years of involvement with local development and humanitarian organizations and expressed his “sincere hope that authorities will hold those behind the killing accountable.”

Police said Geertman may have been killed in a robbery attempt following witnesses’ accounts that he went to a bank before he was shot.

Earlier reports said the Dutch national was shot at close range at the Alay Bayan-Luson Inc. (ABI) office, where Geertman works as its executive director, in San Fernando, Pampanga by two unidentified gunmen who fled in a motorcycle.

“Human rights remain one of the important pillars of Dutch foreign policy,” Brinks said, adding the embassy has partnered with local human rights organizations, supported dialogues with the Philippines Commission on Human Rights, law enforcement and human rights defenders to help Manila address extrajudicial killings.

“It is our hope that these projects will also contribute to addressing impunity,” Brinks said. –KG, GMA News

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JBC won’t disqualify de Lima as CJ bet

By David Dizon, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial and Bar Council will not disqualify Justice Secretary Leila de Lima as a nominee for Chief Justice despite a pending disbarment case against her.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. said the JBC has decided to keep all nominees with pending disbarment cases until the council makes its final vote on the shortlist to be submitted to the President.

He said that if the Supreme Court fails to rule on the disbarment case before July 30, the nominee will be disqualified.

“If one has a disqualification, we will not disqualify until before the voting kasi baka lumabas. But if it does not come out, then we will disqualify,” he told radio dzMM.

Under Rule 4, Sec.5 of the JBC, a regular disbarment complaint is considered grounds for disqualification.

De Lima is facing a disbarment case filed by lawyer Agustin Sundiam for supposedly calling then Chief Justice Renato Corona a “lawless tyrant” on national television.

De Lima later testified against Corona in his impeachment trial.

In the interview, Tupas said the JBC will vote on July 30 on the shortlist of nominees to be submitted to President Aquino.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo congressman also said the Supreme Court will need to decide on the case filed by former Solicitor General Frank Chavez questioning the current composition of the JBC.

Chavez earlier said only one representative from Congress should sit in the JBC, instead of 2.

Tupas said the framers of the 1987 Constitution made a mistake when they assigned only a representative from Congress to the JBC. He said his own stand is that a bicameral Congress should have 2 votes in the JBC.

“Nagkamali yung nagdraft ng Constitution because they thought Congress is unicameral,” he said.

The Supreme Court has given the JBC until July 11 to reply to Chavez’s petition urging the court to prohibit the council from conducting the selection process for the new Chief Justice.

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Acting Chief Justice Carpio draws attention to plight of judges in Manila

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday inaugurated a newly built Hall of Justice (HOJ) in Pampanga province and seized the opportunity to ask Congress and the executive branch to address the “cramped and dilapidated work space” of judges at Manila City Hall.

“As we inaugurate the Angeles City Hall of Justice today, I cannot help but think of the situation of all the other court houses in the country, particularly in the City of Manila,” Carpio said in his speech.

“It is very ironic and unfortunate that the capital city of the Republic still does not have its own hall of justice for its 104 courts,” he added.

Currently, judges and court employees of Manila courts are still “tenants” inside Manila City Hall, where they make do with “cramped and dilapidated work space,” Carpio emphasized.

The acting chief magistrate expressed hope that the executive and legislative branches of goverment will finally allocate funds for Manila’s own hall of justice.

The Abad Santos Hall of Justice in Angeles City is the second of three model halls of justices that the Supreme Court had planned to build with funding from the World Bank. The structure boasts of eco-friendly architectural designs and updated communication facilities.

Carpio was co-chairperson of the Oversight Committee on Halls of Justice, which approved the design of two model court houses in the Philippines: the newly inaugurated Angeles City Hall of Justice as well as the Lapu-Lapu City Hall of Justice inaugurated in Cebu in 2007.

In his speech, Carpio emphasized that every detail in the construction of the hall of justice—inspired by a specific rendition of Baroque art—has significance to the judiciary.

“The aesthetics promote respect for the tradition and purpose of the Judiciary. They express solemnity, stability, rigor, fairness and integrity… The scale of the design reflects a solemn national judicial enterprise. The architectural elements are proportional and arranged hierarchically to signify orderliness,” he explained.

Carpio also stressed the hall of justice was environment friendly in that its design maximizes the use of natural light and has a rainwater collection system, as well as houses a materials recovery facility for recycling and waste processing purposes.

Other features of the building are a holding room for detainees inside the court room, a multi-purpose hall, training and meeting rooms, lounges for judges and lawyers, and space for a clinic, library and nursery.

“These two model halls of justice only mark the beginning of the development of the Judiciary’s modern infrastructure throughout the country,” Carpio said.

Apart from Carpio, also at the inauguration were Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and Ma. Lourdes Sereno. All three magistrates are vying to become the next chief justice. Also in attendance was Court Administrator Midas Marquez. — ELR/HS, GMA News

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