Gabriela Women’s Party representatives Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus introduced the proposed Divorce Bill of the Philippines.
(more…)

Here is the speech of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, upon being conferred with an honorary Doctoral degree in Economics by the Kasetsart University, Thailand
(more…)

Here are the top 10 poorest congressmen in the Philippines based on the summary of the 2010 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of House members:
(more…)

Here are the top 10 richest congressmen in the Philippines based on the summary of the 2010 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of House members:
(more…)

Presidential race front-runner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III affirmed his support to Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill. Noynoy said he will prioritize the bill as soon he gets the presidency.

“Iba pa rin yung may force of law. So that will be the more complete route, pero kailangang pag-aralan kung pu-puwede dun sa…Executive Order,” Aquino mentioned.

Last Friday, the 14th Congress killed the FOI Bill due to the lack of a quorum. The bill is pending to become a law for 14 years now.

135 congressmen were needed for a quorum. However, only 128 congressmen attended the last session out of a total of 269.

This lead to Camiguin Rep. Pedro P. Romualdo’s objection in the ratification of the bill. He also noted that the bill passed the second reading without debate.

The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), on the other hand, will continue its support for the approval of the bill.

“The failure of Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Bill is a shameless betrayal,” CBC-NASSA Fr. Edu Gariguez said.

The Freedom of Information bill or House Bill 3732 requires all agencies, departments, bureaus, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local governments, chartered institutions, constitutional offices, government financial institutions, the military, the police, and state universities and colleges to make available, upon formal request, information on official acts, transactions and decisions as well as research data for policy development.

The act was provided to secure transparency among all agencies of the government.

The act will still be pursued in the 15th Congress when apparent president Aquino took the administration.

The death of Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today was a shock to many as he was found unconscious in his office bathroom today. Cerge Remonde was Director-General of the Presidential Management Staff, and finally, on February 1, 2009, he was appointed as Press Secretary.

Remonde graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Visayas (UV) with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1986, he studied Cooperation and Development Studies at the Afro-Asia Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 1992, he took part in the United States State Department International Visitors Program in Washington, D.C. Remonde is married to newspaper columnist Marit Stinus.

The COMELEC has declared 8 official presidential candidates for the 2010 Presidential Elections. The candidates will be included in the official ballot list during the automated elections to be held in May 2010:

(more…)

Militant government workers organization Courage filed graft charges against Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo yesterday before the Ombudsman as they urge an investigation to his alleged unexplained wealth. Courage asked the Ombudsman to probe the presidential son’s failure to declare the P6 City, California in his SALN ( Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth ). The group noted a media interview in GMA Morning show, “Unang Hirit” where Arroyo said that his money came from wedding gifts and campaign contributions from the last elections. According to Courage President Ferdinand Gaite, Arroyo violated Republic Act 6713, or The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Meanwhile, Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus Jr. said the complaint would be evaluated to find if sufficient basis exists to warrant an investigation.

Legality of the automation of next year’s elections was upheld yesterday by the Supreme Court as they ruled that the automation deal was properly documented and that the petition of the Concerned Citizens Movement had no factual basis. SC said, COMELEC and Smartmatic Corp.-Total Information Management Inc. did not violate Republic Act 9369, commonly known as the Poll Automation Law. They also added that the law’s requirement for the Comelec to automate in at least 12 areas was not a prerequisite for the automation of next year’s elections. Chief Justice Reynato Puno concurred with the majority decision together with 9 other justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Renato Corona, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, and Roberto Abad.

Boots Cadsawan, chairman of the FPJPM ( Filipinos for Freedom Justice and Progress Movement ) confirmed yesterday that FPJ’s daughter Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, will run for a Senatorial slate in the upcoming 2010 elections. According to Cadsawan,the confirmation was made yesterday at the Fernandina Media Forum at Club Filipino in San Juan, Greenhills. Mary Grace is a graduate of Assumption College who actively took part in the campaign of his father in 2004. But as of now, she has yet to decide as to what political party she will join to launch her campaign for her senatorial bid. FPJPM, On the other hand, has yet to announce their choice of presidential timber for next year’s election since they are still in the process of consultation with their officials from the different regions of the country.

Judge Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale of Quezon City RTC Branch 106 issued a gag order during a closed-door hearing on Che Tiongson’s petition for a temporary protection order against Chavit Singson. The order will barred the camps of both parties from givng interviews to media regarding the civil case they involved with. Petition for a protection order under Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act filed by Che Tiongson was docketed last week as Q-09-65532 and raffled to Sale’s court last Thursday. Reporters tried to ask Tiongson questions about the case, but unlike previous interviews, she was quiet and left all the talking to her lawyer. Next hearing is set for both parties this coming Sept. 30.

Today marks the 40th day of the passing of Former President Corazon Aquino. Masses were held all over the country as they honor the late President. The bereaved family will partake in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in select churches to thank those who have condoled with them in their hour of grief. Meanwhile, a photo exhibit will be launched at the SM Mall of Asia and will be taken to other SM malls in subsequent weeks depicting the Filipino people’s tribute to President Cory during the wake and funeral. This day also marks the historic announcement of Noynoy to run for President in the 2010 elections to follow the footsteps of his parents legacy to preserve the Filipino democracy.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino officially announced his candidacy for the 2010 elections as President. The announcement was made earlier at the Club Filipino in Greenhills San Juan that also marks the 40th day of President Cory’s death. A week ago, Sen. Mar Roxas sacrificed his candidacy to support Noynoy, that’s why he underwent series of consultations and spiritual retreat before he made the biggest decision in his life. His announcement drew a lot of cheer from all the people inside the Club Filipino. Councilor Shalani Soledad, Noynoy’s girlfriend was also there to support him together with Pinky and Kris, Noynoy’s siblings.

Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement or FPJM would mobilize nationwide support for the candidacy of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to the 2010 elections. The group also supported the candidacy of the late Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004. According to Manny Portes, FPJM Chairman, they believed that Senator Noynoy is the most qualified to become president and lead the nation from the depths of corruption, chaos and poverty. Calls for Noynoy to run for president mounted after his mother’s funeral which was attended by hundreds of thousands. And just recently, Senator Mar Roxas announced his support to Noynoy as he stepped down from running as president.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement announced yesterday that he will continue to run in the 2010 presidential elections. He said that he made the announcement as he wants to continue the vision of the Bangon Pilipinas Party. That means he is the latest addition for the Presidential aspirants for the 2010 polls. It was recalled that in 2004, Bro Eddie aspired to be the next President but unfortunately, he did not make it. Villanueva also added that Bangon Pilipinas respects the decision of Senator Mar Roxas to give way to his fellow Liberal to take on the torch of the Party’s leadership for the 2010 elections. But the party’s move does not influence Bangon Pilipinas’ own plans.