Showing posts with label congressmen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label congressmen. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon US homes and businesses, another scandal for the Arroyos?

8/31/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


In the fading days of Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s term as president, another allegation of ill-gotten wealth is brewing for her family. Her son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, was reported to have failed declaring a P63.7 million property fronting San Francisco Bay in California. It was alleged this foreign property located at 1655 Beach Park Blvd, Foster City was named under his wife’s name in 2006.

“By omitting the US property starting in 2007, Mikey’s real property assets plunged from P90.7 million in 2006 to P27 million in 2007 and 2008.

All the business interests Mikey declared in his latest SALN were acquired when he was already congressman: president of Mikey’s Horseman Bar and Grill, 2006; director of LPG Auto Gas and shareholder in Los Manos Verdes Inc., 2007; and shareholder in U18 Properties Inc. and stockholder of the La Vista Investments and Holdings Inc. in 2008.”---Malaya (08/31/09, Files, V.)

Similarly, Dato, Gloria’s other son also bought a house worth P26.7 million in the golden state after he won as congressman in 2007. But this, he declared in his tax declarations.

These allegations are on top of local businesses that the Arroyos are reportedly engaged in. As usual, the first family has to answer with a denial. But won't they give their proof? The Filipino people need to know if there is any wrong-doing in these property purchases. With another investigation it will take time to know if all these accusations are true. (Photo Credit: ____) =0=

=============================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PostHeaderIcon Huge street protest held against Cha-Cha and Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo

6/11/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


A huge crowd of more than 10,000 Filipinos converged in Makati City, Manila’s financial district to denounce House Resolution (HR) 1109 which sought the gathering of a constituent assembly to amend the Philippine constitution. The resolution was the brainchild of Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s allies who wanted a charter change (Cha-cha) whose objective was to extend the president’s hold to power.

“We are dismayed that instead of prioritizing the needs of majority of starving Filipino children who are forced to work and help their parents put food on the table because of widespread unemployment and layoffs, these pro-Arroyo congressmen outdo each other in trying to protect a very unpopular president,” asserted Sophia Garduce, spokesperson for SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns.

“Malacañang’s spokespersons have taken turns in defending the President, insisting that Mrs. Arroyo had no knowledge or blessing of the plot to force con-ass in the House. And yet she has not done anything to rein in her allies in Congress from pursuing their political adventurism,” said Sen. Pia Cayetano. Philstar (06/11/09, Aurea Calica and Jose Rodel Clapano)

The multisectoral group of citizens which include senators, prominent government officials and celebrities took turns on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in castigating 117 congressmen who approved the resolution without the participation of the senators. They believed this time was not the right moment to change the constitution that would advance political ambitions and perpetuate the corrupt administration of Mrs. Arroyo. Similar peaceful rallies were scheduled in provinces outside Manila.(Photo Credit: Malaya/ Manolet Santiago) =0=

============================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

PostHeaderIcon May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update

5/09/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
As of May 8, 2009, Guatemala is the latest country to report having to deal with H1N1 flu. The country which shares the southern border with Mexico is added among 25 countries which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) have laboratory confirmed the swine flu infection. The Center for Disease Control (CDC,) disclosed that the United States has the H1N1 influenza in 43 states.

The countries with the number of confirmed swine flu cases are: Austria (1), Brazil (4), Canada (214), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (6), Mexico (1,204), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (5), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (88), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (34). United States of America (1,639).

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) and the government caved in to boxer Manny (Pacman) Pacquiao's decision to go home ignoring the quarantine recommendation of WHO. This is also true with the 50 congressmen who came to the United States to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton match.

The early return of the Pacman and the 50 congressmen plus their respective entourages makes it hard for DOH to abide with its quarantine program, risking the health of Filipinos. There are at least 13 people in the Philippines who have been cleared after undergoing proper observation by DOH for possible swine flu infection. =0= (Photo Credit: CDC)

More Swine Flu Cases

Additional confirmed H1N1 flu cases have recently been disclosed in Japan (3), Australia (1), and Panama (1)

==========================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PostHeaderIcon Wasteful RP Congress holiday after 50 representatives watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match

5/06/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


There is something obscenely wrong each time Manny Pacquiao comes to Las Vegas, Nevada to fight in the boxing arena. Last Saturday, just like his fight against Oscar de la Hoya, the match between him and Englishman Ricky Hatton was attended by 50 Philippine congressmen even if it lasted only for 3 minutes.

The next day in Manila, the House of Representative had only 131 congressmen out 263 who reported for work. The number of lawmakers was too small to meet the quorum needed so they could work on the job.

“No matter how the alibis are turned inside and out among the congressmen, they would be in a bind in justifying to their constituents the need for going to Las Vegas while there is a lot of job to do at Congress.” ----Daily Tribune (05/06/09)

Many Filipinos are silent about their congressmen’s disruptive travels, but it is clear these elected officials are immaturely abusive. It’s so easy to see how wasteful and extravagant they are each time they go abroad to watch and be seen with RP’s most influential sports hero. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales think going abroad to watch Pacquiao is a waste of money.

Not to mention airfare and hotel accommodation, a good seat close to the boxing rimg runs in the thousands of dollars, but the congressmen don’t mind of the expense. They like to think money is easy to find. Not one among the 20% of the lower house seems to care that the flu pandemic is at their door.

In spite of the swine flu scare, the lawmakers go to see boxing, risking their health and that of their people when they come home. It’s unlikely they will follow quarantine rules as prescribed by the health authorities. Photo Credit: Congress of the Philippines) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: “Manny Pacquiao: RP’s legendary boxer and what people say about him” Posted by mesiamd at 5/04/2009; "Pacquiao KOs Hatton in 2 Rounds" Posted by upibalonbicol at 5/03/2009; "50 Congressmen and the harm they do for watching Pacquiao in Nevada when the swine epidemic rages" Posted by mesiamd at 5/02/2009; "Pacquiao among Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2009" Posted by mesiamd at 5/01/2009; "Philippine Congress attendance drops to 100 out of 263 as Pacquiao-Hatton match draws near" Posted by mesiamd at 5/01/2009

=============================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PostHeaderIcon 50 Congressmen and the harm they do for watching Pacquiao in Nevada when the swine epidemic rages

5/02/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


It’s as if House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles and the 50 representatives of the Philippine Congress are kids. As excited as immature people, they couldn’t be dissuaded from missing the Pacquaio-Hatton fight in Las Vegas, Nevada in spite of the seriousness of the swine flu epidemic.

Perhaps they want to show they have “personal money” to spend abroad unlike the cash-strapped regular Filipinos. The congressmen are determined to risk their health and that of the nation just to satisfy a fancy to be where the action is. Surprisingly, only few Filipinos air their disappointment versus the wasteful travel to Las Vegas.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales was right in expressing his frustration of having leaders in congress spend big money to travel with no apparent benefit to the Filipinos. As the cardinal said, the presence of congressmen close to the boxing ring will not change the outcome of the match.

The Department of Health (DOH) is trying to safeguard the country of the deadly influenza infection and the congressmen are uncooperative. They show again the lack of responsibility that many people associate with politicians. Seeing the congressmen huddled in the sports crowd that potentially harbors the pig virus is despicable. The P90 miliion the DOH has prepared to spend in case influenza reaches the Philippines is hardly enough for the country’s preparedness.

“Rosales believes that during this time of global economic crisis, it was a “waste of money” to spend on a boxing match, even if it is one of the most anticipated sport events of the year.”----Philstar (05//02/09, Edheminada, P)

Little can be said about these short-sighted congressmen who are insensitive to the needs of their constituents. At the very least, they don’t even know how to set a good example. For insisting on their travel, they need to be quarantined for at least 10 days ----to watch for signs of the H1N1 flu infection---an unnecessary move if they heed to forgo with non-essential trips abroad. (Photo Credit: Sheltercrow)=0=

RELATED BLOG: "Philippine Congress attendance drops to 100 out of 263 as Pacquiao-Hatton match draws near" Posted by mesiamd at 5/01/2009

=======================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PostHeaderIcon Philippine Congress attendance drops to 100 out of 263 as Pacquiao-Hatton match draws near

5/01/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


There is a reason to be proud of super boxing hero Manny Pacquaio. That’s why in spite of the money crunch brought by the recession, at least 50 Filipino congressmen will fly to Las Vegas to watch the sensational boxing battle between Pacquiao and Britisher Ricky Hatton on Saturday, May 2, 2009 (Philippine time.)

“I have never missed his fight. He is the pride of Mindanao and I am part of his team. I've never used government funds to watch all his previous fights, including now.”----House Speaker Nograles ABS-CBN )04/30/09)

It must really be exciting to be on the ringside to see Philippines’ fighter extraordinaire who inspires almost everybody fight in the MGM arena. But one wonders if the trip by the members of the House of Representative to the United States is worth their “personal money” which has a good chance of mixing with “public money.”

A trip abroad is expensive and the salary of these congressmen isn’t that much compared to the dollar earners. Besides they have expenses that spill as money paid for by the government. In a climate of corruption, they need to be honest. The public knows they are not rich and the people they serve are poor.

The attendance in the House or Representatives as of Wednesday dropped 62% with only 100 out of 263 members. Obviously showing lack of responsibility, no legislation or discussion helpful the nation could proceed. The charter change (Cha-cha) initiative by the congressmen were put on hold to give way to Pacquaio. Embarrassing, but true!

A Pacquiao-Hatton encounter, no matter how exciting, must not take precedence on duty at work. Abandoning the congress to watch a boxing match doesn't give a good signal. Those who take public service seriously take this as a black eye on the performance of congressmen, but almost almost no one protests.

The congressmen are even oblivious of the pig flu epidemic making rounds in America. With the swine virus on its way to become a full-blown pandemic, the congressmen should be taking the risk of travel seriously. Some members of the Obama entourage who went to Mexico last week manifested flu-like symptoms. A Mexican who shook Obama's hand reportedly died of the flu. As advised by health authorities, one should avoid non-essential trips these days, especially in the epicenter of the epidemic to avoid getting sick and transmitting the disease.

Pacquiao also worries of catching influenza. He is good to see in a giant screen, but the 50 congressmen can’t be dissuaded from the ringside. The Las Vegas boxing arena where a mix of Mexican and Americans will is just the right place for contagion to lurk and spread in the crowd. (Photo Credit: Philippine Affairs/ Congress of the Philippines)=0=

=========================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Add to Technorati Favorites

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

Loading...

ABS-CBN News

Loading...

GMA News.tv

Loading...

Philippine Commentary

Loading...

Inquirer Breaking News

Loading...

Blogger Template created by AVGWEB.