Sen. Bong Revilla: PDAF Could Have Helped Disaster Victims

Image courtesy of www.trialx.com

Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived separately in Ormoc, Leyte today.

Revilla distributed relief goods in Ormoc City.

Marcos, meanwhile, flew into Ormoc after distributing relief goods in Tacloban.

Both senators are embroiled in the pork barrel scam, with whistleblowers claiming that senators had given money to bogus non-government organizations led by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Revilla regrets the Supreme Court (SC) decision declaring the pork barrel unconstitutional. He said more people in disaster situations could be assisted had the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) been on hand.

"Well kung meron tayong PDAF, mas marami sana tayong matutulungan sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyo. Maidadagdag yan sa calamity fund, sa mga healthcare, maraming matutulungan,” he said.

Revilla would rather not comment on criticisms against the administration's handling of the typhoon aftermath, saying this is not the time for political bickering.

"Ito yung panahon ngayon ng bayanihan, pagtutulungan, dapat i-set aside ang pulitika, alitan. Ang mahalaga ngayon, tayo ay magtulungan para sa bayan, gamutin ang sugat ng puso ng mamamayan. Hindi tayo dapat magturuan. Tumulong na lamang. Walang oposisyon, walang administrasyon ngayon. Ang galaw ng bawat isa'y mahalaga, at yan ang kailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

PDAF not enough

Marcos said it was a relief that the SC finally decided on the fate of the pork barrel, saying the cloud of doubt it had raised over the senators was making it difficult for them to function.

However, he raised the possibility of utilizing the 2014 pork barrel as calamity funds, since the budget allocation had already been set long before the SC decision.

"Mas mabuti na nga yan, para wala nang gulo-gulo. Mahirap din para sa aming mga public official, pag pinagsususpetsahan ka ng tao, talagang mahirap gawin ang trabaho,” he said.

With the scale of the damage, Marcos still doubts that even the amount would be enough to repair the affected regions.

“Sa dami ng napinsala, kahit makuha lahat ng PDAF at gagamitin sa calamity fund, baka kukulangin pa. Isa pa yon. Kailangan natin talagang makipag-ugnayan sa ating pamahalaan para tanungin kung ano talaga yung kaya nilang gawin para sa reconstruction."

Pinoy Nominees in 2013 Asian Television Awards

Image courtesy of www.animationmagazine.com

Source: www.rappler.com

Several Pinoy artists and television shows received nominations in the 2013 Asian Television Awards (ATA) to be held in Singapore on December 5.

Nominees for the Best Actress award include GMA-7 artists Marian Rivera for "Temptation of Wife" and Lorna Tolentino for "Pahiram ng Sandali."

Michael V, also a GMA-7 talent, received a nomination for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor in sketch comedy show "Bubble Gang." The comedian came highly commended in the 2009 awards.

ABS-CBN's Kris Aquino was included in the nominees for Best Entertainment Presenter/Host for morning talk show "Kris TV."

Last year, none of the 5 nominated Pinoy artists won in their respective categories, however, news anchor Korina Sanchez was highly commended for her news and current affairs show "Rated K - Kwento ng Buhay Ko."

Since its launch in 2006, Philippine television has received awards for 2012 Best Lifestyle Programme (ABC's "Chef vs Mom") and 2011 Best Talk Show (ABS-CBN's "Bottomline with Boy Abunda").

This year, 4 shows from GMA network are nominated, mainly "Born Impact: When Whales Strand" for the Best Natural, History, or Wildlife program, "Saksi: Typhoon Pablo's Trail of Death" and "24 Oras: Bagyong Pablo" for Best News Program, and "Reporter's Notebook: Bagyong Pablo" for Best Current Affairs Program.

ABS-CBN's "The X Factor Philippines" received a nomination for Best Reality Show.

The Philippine entries are among other nominees from Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia.

According to its website, an expert panel of 50 judges from across the region will determine winners for The Asian Television Awards. Awards recognize broadcasters from free-to-air television, pay-TV networks, as well as independent production houses across Asia.

"ATA is positioned as the only event of its kind within the Asian region, and upholds a prestigious reputation of showcasing quality television production."

Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida Answers Other Top 5 Questions in Miss Universe

Freddie Roach Fights with Brandon Rios' Camp in Macau

Agree or Disagree: Selfie is the Word of the Year

Ashton Kutcher poses in the audience during the 2010 People's Choice Awards

Meryl Streep takes a photo of herself and Hillary Clinton after Clinton hosted a dinner for the Kennedy Center honorees in Washington

Tom Hanks takes a selfie with fellow actor Steve Martin at the 2013 Governors Awards

Images courtesy of www.edition.cnn.com

Source: www.edition.cnn.com

The most esteemed guardian of the English language has bestowed a prestigious honor upon debatably the most embarrassing phenomenon of the digital age: the selfie.

So, grab a smartphone, put on your best duck face and celebrate.Oxford Dictionaries' word for the year for 2013 is "selfie."

And when you share that filtered photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you'll join not just Anthony Weiner and Geraldo, but millions of others around the world perpetuating a tradition started over a decade ago, Oxford says.

The word "selfie" first popped up in an Australian chat room on September 13, 2002, to describe an undignified scene, the dictionaries' publishers believe.

This was the post: "Um, drunk at a mates 21st, I tripped ofer and landed lip first (with front teeth coming a very close second) on a set of steps. I had a hole about 1cm long right through my bottom lip. And sorry about the focus, it was a selfie."

Yes, the first-ever known mention of the word "selfie" stemmed from an inebriated mouth with teeth protruding through its bottom lip.

Given those circumstances, Oxford may not much care how you spell it.

You could go with "ie" or "y," as in "selfy."

Oxford says that doesn't change the official definition:

"A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website."

Complete unknown

For years after its birth, "selfie" crept through the web largely unnoticed.

But in 2012, the word of the year began its ascent to digital fame, Oxford says.

Suddenly, everybody around the world was using the word, as they self-snapped away.

By August this year, Oxford proclaimed it a real English-language word and gave it a place in the dictionary -- but that was merely a stepping stone to lingual infamy.

"Language research conducted by Oxford Dictionaries editors reveals that the frequency of the word selfie in the English language has increased by 17,000% since this time last year," Oxford wrote in justifying its choice.

"Selfie" beat out seven competitors, including "twerk," "schmeat" (synthetically produced meat) and "bitcoin" for the Word of the Year crown.

"Selfie" is not slouching on its thrown, Oxford says of its word of the year.

It has spawned herds of images on social media. There are 57 million photos bearing its hashtag -- #selfie -- on Instagram alone.

There is even a user account called "selfie." And, yes, it contains nothing but selfies.

"Selfie" has also been busy pumping out offspring in its namesake.

It has given birth to "helfie" -- a photo of one's own hair; "belfie" -- a snapshot of one's own backside; and "welfie" -- a selfie taken while working out, aka the most annoying kind.

There's also the "drelfie" -- a photo of yourself when you're drunk.

Fitting, since a drelfie in Australia was the first "selfie" that ever bore the name.

Insta Scoop: Regine Velasquez - Alcasid's Message to Bashers

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Insta Scoop: Isabelle Daza Compares Her Diet with Yolanda Victims

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Spotted: Armand del Rosario and Gretchen Fullido

 

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Hot or Not: Jake Cuenca

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Who Wore It Better: Jasmine Trias and Gloria Arroyo vs Lilo and Stitch

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Celebrity Sans Make-up: Carla Abellana

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What's Your Team: Team Korina Sanchez vs Team Anderson Cooper

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Who Wore It Best: Janine Gutierrez vs Shamcey Supsup vs Carmina Villaroel

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Inspiration or Imitation: Marc Jacobs vs Russell Villafuerte

 

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Fab or Drab: Toni Gonzaga

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Caption This: Piolo Pascual

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Like or Dislike: Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones for Look

Voracious

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Although the once voluptuous Award-winning Actress AA has turned heavier over the years, her appeal has not diminished, according to her admirers. Her onscreen presence still makes for good copy. It is probably for this reason why AA seems not that much bothered by her size.

AA was a welcome surprise for her playing a significant role in a Primetime Soap PS, a far cry from her many serious portrayals during her heyday which won not a few acting awards for her. Back then, her public life, particularly her lovelife often elicited major controversies, too. But not long after, her innate talent overshadowed such controversies.

On the set of PS during tapings, some people have allegedly observed how AA seems to have a huge appetite for food. Reportedly, AA's mouth seems to be always busy. Whether she is memorizing a script or just chatting with friends, she is always busy chewing. Her behavior seems like a turn-off to some people as AA looks thrilled everytime she would see food. She must really have been over with preserving her image that she doesn’t give a damn how she gorges on food.

AA was once quoted that her previous television project was one she would not forget if only for the hearty buffet they were served everyday. She said that working for that project seemed not work at all because of the daily food bonanza.

One taping day of PS, AA was in her usual gorging habit. She kept munching non-stop that during mid-day of the shoot, she seemed bloated already. After awhile, AA was called for her scene. As she was delivering her dialogue, some staff heard that she passed off gas, then a sudden foul-smell permeated the air. Shock was written all over AA' s face before she rushed to the portalet. Turned out, some drippings were already running through her legs! Hahaha!

" Excess of joy is harder to bear than any amount of sorrow. " ~ Honore de Balzac

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Bb. Pilipinas 2012 1st Runner Up, Annalie Forbes, Wins Miss Grand International 3rd Runner Up

Miss Grand International 2013 - Janelee Chaparro, Puerto Rico

1st runner-up - Chantel Martinez, Dominican Republic

2nd runner-up - Denisa Paseciakova, Slovak Republic 

3rd runner-up - Annalie Forbes, Philippines 

4th runner-up - Kelly Louise Maguire, Australia

Korina Sanchez Denies Rumors, Explains Absence from ‘TV Patrol’

Image courtesy of www.philstar.com

Source: www.philstar.com

ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez denied reports that she was told to go on vacation by ABS-CBN.

Last Sunday, Pilipino Star Ngayon showbiz editor Salve Asis reported her sources believed Korina was told to go on vacation by her home network for a statement she made against CNN journalist Anderson Cooper. Korina was not present during the Friday, November 15, and Monday, November 18 broadcast of ABS-CBN’s primetime newscast

But in an interview with Jasmine Romero in the DZMM program “Rated Korina” Tuesday morning, November 18, Korina said the speculations about her absence are not true.

“Yung mga espekulasyon, hindi naman totoo ‘yan,” Korina told Romero, who is pinch-hitting for her during her absence.

The “TV Patrol” co-anchor said she is visiting areas that were “nasalanta ng iba’t ibang delubyo” for her news magazine program “Rated K.”

Among the areas they visited, Korina said, are Ormoc and Bohol. She and her team were supposed to go to Tacloban but ABS-CBN did not allow her “dahil delikado raw.”

Korina added they are about to go to Capiz, Iloilo and Palawan.

She said people should not speculate about her absence from her programs.

"So, ayun, uulitin ko lang, matagal nang naiplano itong paglilibot na ito,” Korina said. "Huwag lang sanang pilit na ikinokonekta sa iba pang bagay, ha?”

Supreme Court Declares PDAF Unconstitutional

Image courtesy of www.abs-cbnnews.com

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SC: Prosecute government officials

Congress stricken off powers over lump sums

The Supreme Court has declared the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) – from past and present budgets – unconstitutional.

The high court voted 14-0. Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco inhibited. His son is a member of the House of Representatives.

The SC also ruled that the Malampaya fund can only be used for energy-related projects and not “ for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President.” The justices voted 13-1.

The PDAF was supposedly siphoned to ghost projects. Some senators have been tagged in the scam, allegedly perpetrated by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

SC spokesperson Theodore Te confirmed the news. Reading the decision penned by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, he said the following have been declared unconstitutional, among others:

a) The entire 2013 PDAF article

b) All legal provisions of past and present Congressional Pork Barrel Laws, such as the previous PDAF and Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) Articles and the various Congressional Insertions, which authorized legislators – whether individually or collectively organized into committees – to intervene, assume or participate in any of the various post-enactment stages of the budget execution, such as but not limited to the areas of project identification, modification and revision of project identification, fund release and/or fund realignment unrelated to the power of Congressional oversight

c) All legal provisions of past and present Congressional pork barrel laws such as the previous PDAF and CDF Articles and the various Congressional insertions which confer or conferred personal, lump sum allocations to legislators from which they are able to fund specific projects which they themselves determined

d) All informal practices of similar import and effect, which the court similarly deems to be acts of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of discretion.

Malampaya only for energy projects

The same decision also declared unconstitutional the phrase “and for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President” under section 8 of Presidential Decree 910.

Adopted in 1976, the presidential fiat cited rules for the use of royalties from oil and gas finds in the country only for the financing of “energy resource development and exploitation programs and projects of the government.”

Parts of the Malampaya funds were also allegedly used for ghost projects. Some farmers earlier denied receiving aid for rehabilitation of their agricultural programs.

Te said the funds covered by the decision must be returned to the national coffers of the government. “The funds covered by the Malampaya funds and the Presidential Social Fund which shall remain therein to be utilized for their respective special purposes [only].”

The high court was also adamant in its call to prosecute those who plundered the lump sums.
The decision reads: “The court hereby directs all prosecutorial organs of the government to, within bounds of reasonable dispatch, investigate and accordingly prosecute all government officials and/or private individuals for criminal offenses.”

The National Bureau of Investigation already filed plunder raps against Napoles; senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada; and several individuals.

Yesterday, the Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the respondents to file their counter affidavits.

What is 'Vagina Armpit' and Which Celebrities Have It?

 Tyra Banks

 Victoria Beckham

Kim Kardashian

 Beyonce Knowles

Toni Gonzaga

 Zsa Zsa Padilla

 Jennylyn Mercado

Heart Evangelista

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Miss Philippines Ariella Arida vs Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler's English

VS

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FB Scoop: Catalina/Catarina is Marian Rivera's New Teleserye

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Insta Scoop: Rhian Ramos' Message to Her 'Fansign for a Cause' Critics

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Tweet Scoop: Jessica Sanchez to Sing the National Anthem at Manny Pacquiao's Fight

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Fairest of Them All: Anjanette Abayari, Ruffa Gutierrez and Janine Tugonon

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Blast from the Past: Bea Alonzo

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Celebrity Sans Make-up: Phoemela Baranda

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Face Off: Isabelle Daza vs Georgina Wilson

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Separated at Birth: Jhong Hilario and Lassy Marquez

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Who Wore It Better: Jennylyn Mercado vs Maxene Magalona

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Caption This: Jessy Mendiola

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Love Talk

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Actress and Endorser AE is looking good in spite of her recent breakup with her Former Beau FB. From her demeanor and facial expression, it is quite evident that AE has quickly moved on. She and FB have confirmed that there was no third party involved on their split-up. Taking that aside, the glow on AE's face seems to say a thousand words - she looks lovelier and more peaceful.

The private and unassuming AE values and prioritizes her family above all else. Even at the height of her popularity where she had to make a crucial decision at some point, it was her family whom she chose hands down.

AE is by and large, a woman of substance and character, someone who is private and mysterious, especially when it comes to her personal life. Unlike other stars who thrive on scandals and controversies to gain publicity, AE strives to be as private as possible. Yet being a popular celebrity, she can only do as much.

AE was spotted in a very exclusive island resort allegedly with a male companion – a wealthy- looking and sophisticated Bank Executive BE. Within his social circle, BE is known to be a no nonsense corporate man who moves with the crème dela crème of banking and business.

Although AE and BE move in different worlds, they are reportedly each other 's constant company. From a source, AE likes it that they have a common interest – the passion for an expensive hobby. People who are privy to the couple attest that given BE's intimidating background, AE is the least to get threatened or overwhelmed by him.

To some extent, AE looks cool and comfortable with her relationship with BE inspite of the obvious difference in their social status. After all, she seems to have really looked for and welcomed this development.

Reportedly, after coming from "childish relationships," AE feels it's now her turn to get pampered and spoiled.

“A successful man is one who makes more money than his girl can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.” ~ Lana Turner

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Letter from a Reader: Reader Refutes Allegations of Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez

Image courtesy of www.taclobanhotels.com

Hello Mike! I just want to share with you the facts about your post on Tacloban Mayor Romualdez. I am writing to correct several inaccuracies and to set the records straight following the days before typhoon Yolanda hit our city.

Monday. There was already warning. People knew about the possibility of storm surge given the wind speed.

Tuesday was the same thing.

Wednesday. The city administrator met with barangay captains in preparation for Yolanda. CDRRMC, presided by the city administrator, convened in the afternoon with all department heads & others involved. Preventive evacuation was in place.

Thursday. It was a warm, sunny day. It was the calm before the storm. Forced evacuation was enforced. By 3pm, evacuation center was full.

Friday. Yolanda came by early morning. It was like being inside a big washing machine, only much worse, as we did not know which direction we were being blown away. Storm surge was expected but never thought it to go 8-12 ft sometimes 15 ft high.

All through out that week, Mayor Romualdez was MIA aka Missing in Action!
He was only seen Thursday afternoon to early evening upon the arrival of Secretaries Roxas & Gazmin & attended PDRRMC meeting with City Administrator.

I only found out that he was at Patio Victoria, their family beach resort 5 days after Yolanda. Prior to that, there were stories circulating that he & his family were missing because of the damage to their house. There were reports too that they were actually in their high rise building in the city downtown.

What I'm trying to say is that Mayor Romualdez is publicity hungry & he will do anything to get publicity at the expense of his suffering people.

In one of the meetings last Wednesday, CDRRMC was reminded of the many warnings and how these precautionary measures can be executed properly. In all fairness, everybody took them to heart and listened - but NOT Mayor Romualdez - because he was NOT around.

No one could have been prepared enough for Yolanda & it angers me that instead of commandeering his ship, our Mayor chose to squeeze blood from this tragedy in order to push for his PR stint.

We have a long road ahead to rebuild our beautiful city. Armed with the strong Filipino spirit, we will rise again!

Tindog Tacloban!

Truthfully yours,

Meldy

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DAR Employees Ask: Why Deposit Storm Donations in Private Account?

Image courtesy of www.newsinfo.inquirer.net

Source: www.newsinfo.inquirer.net

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is asking its employees to help their colleagues in areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” by depositing donations to the personal bank account of Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes’ right-hand man.

DAR Employees Association (DAREA) president Nanette Pascual said the members were “highly disappointed” that the DAR leadership had not made any offer to help stricken DAR employees in the central Philippines but had resorted to seeking contributions from other DAR employees.

Pascual said DAREA members were also dismayed by the DAR leadership’s decision to use a personal account of the secretary’s top assistant to receive their donations.

Assistant

In Memorandum No. 380 issued by the Office of the Secretary on Nov. 12, employees were asked to deposit their donations to the Land Bank of the Philippines account of his head executive assistant, Justin Vincent La Chica.

The employees were told to send by e-mail details of their donation—amount, date, time and bank branch—for “better” accounting.

“The entire fund that would be collected will be properly accounted for and will be utilized to aid DAR’s field personnel affected by the storm in a socialized and justifiable manner,” said La Chica in the memo he wrote and signed himself.

Pascual said this was “highly irregular.”

Not illegal

But in a phone interview, DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao said there was nothing illegal about designating a personal account for collecting the employees’ donations.

“This is not unprecedented, we did this (using the personal bank account of the secretary’s head assistant for donations) in 2012 with Typhoon Pablo. There is nothing illegal here as far as I am concerned,” said Parungao.

Pascual said that at least four of the over 500 employees of the DAR regional office in Leyte were confirmed to have died during the storm. She said that up to 90 percent of the employees were rendered homeless by the supertyphoon.

“There is no help from the DAR to rebuild their office or fix their homes. They have yet to receive their salaries; there are no mercy missions by management unlike previous administrations,” said Pascual.

Like or Dislike: Joey Ayala's Version of 'Lupang Hinirang'

“The Affair” Episode of For Love or Money

The weekly series airs every Thursday, 8-9pm on TV5. Derek Ramsay plays Edward Villanueva, who is happily married to Roselle (Ritz Azul). But their love is put to the test when a rich older woman, Kristine Almonte (Alice Dixson), offers to pay 10 million pesos in exchange for having Edward all to herself for 10 days. Edward was initially insulted by the offer, but it is his wife’s dream of a better life that pushed him to sign the contract and spend some intimate time with Kristine. In episode 5, which aired on November 14, Edward and Kristine broke one of the most important clauses in the contract because they had sex, and both agreed to keep it a secret from Roselle. This signals the start of Edward and Kristine’s affair