In defense of Grace Lee!

"VERAFILES uses “quotes” from the completely unreliable

DJ MO TWISTER

to support her article and then misquotes Grace Lee...

Shouldn't Mo Twister just get Ellen Tordesillas as her co-host?"

BY AMIEL AGUILAR CABANLIG

You would think that “JeJe-Journalists” would learn a lesson and want to better hone their craft!

Ellen Tordesillas seems to have a penchant to take a smidgen of misinformation and make mountains out of mole hills – specifically concerning her sensationalized report about Grace Lee “praying” to take PNoy to the marriage altar.

Tordesillas uses “quotes” from the completely unreliable DJ Mo Twister to support her article and then misquotes Grace Lee, mistaking a female co-host for the Korean DJ.

First of all, why would anyone believe what DJ Mo Twister has to say about the subject?

The very nature of the Good Times radio program is non-serious and full of controversy-inducing banter. Twister is known to stir gossip for the sake of garnering ratings and he is not to be considered as a “credible” or “dependable” source.

Then Tordesillas goes on to say that Grace Lee was offered a retinue of PSGs. This was according to unnamed source – again, where is the credibility here?

Instead of piecing together a reliable story, Tordesillas’ tabloidal report totally misrepresents Grace Lee and puts her in a negative light.

Shouldn’t Mo Twister just get Ellen Tordesillas as her co-host?

A very stern warning to the Fashion Pulis blog ...

The prosecution’s self-inflicted wounds

““Falsus in unum, falsus in omnibus” which means

“False in one thing, false in everything”? “

Written by : ATTY. DODO DULAY

(graphic from The Manila Standard)

Judging from their media pronouncements before the start of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial, the House prosecution team probably thought they had an open-and-shut case against Corona. How they must have had a rude awakening when the impeachment trial got underway. What they thought would be a cakewalk turned out to be a series of embarrassing blunders and missteps that became quite painful to watch. And to think Corona’s defense team hadn’t even started presenting their evidence yet.

The start of trial proper on Day 2 began rather ominously. The viewing public expected the prosecution team to begin presenting its evidence on Article I of the impeachment complaint. But when asked to begin the presentation of its evidence, the prosecution represented by Rep. Elpidio Barzaga admitted they were not ready to present evidence on Article I but were ready on Article II regarding Corona’s failure to disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Barzaga tried to salvage the day by arguing that he was ready to present certified true copies of titles and deeds of absolute sale as evidence. But without the official custodian testifying on these documents’ authenticity, these would be inadmissible as evidence. So when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked if the prosecution would rather postpone or proceed with the presentation of evidence, Barzaga tried to wriggle out of embarrassment by saying that the prosecution was willing to postpone – and this is the clincher – “in order to accord the defense (the opportunity) to prepare for the proceedings.” Utang na loob pa ng defense.

As the trial went on, things went from bad to worse. When the prosecution presented its tenth witness, lawyer Noli Hernandez, who is a senior vice president of Megaworld, they were in for a big surprise. Instead of bolstering their case, Hernandez demolished the prosecution’s argument that Corona violated the canons of judicial ethics when he received a huge discount from Megaworld—for there was no discount but a necessary price reduction. Hernandez also denied that the P10-million price reduction it gave the Coronas for the Bellagio condominium unit was in exchange for favorable Supreme Court (SC) decisions involving Megaworld. Hernandez said the unit was water-damaged after a typhoon and the economic situation was not good in 2008, prompting the company to cut the price by about 40 percent. Although Corona wrote a decision in favor of Megaworld, Hernandez says this was four years before Corona bought the Bellagio unit. In fact, Hernandez adds that after Corona’s purchase of the Bellagio unit, Megaworld lost two cases before the SC which cost them some P47-million in monetary awards to their opponents.

Apparently, the prosecution violated the oft-quoted maxim of trial technique: Never ask a question to which you don’t already know the answer. That means don’t put your witness on the stand unless you know what he’s going to say ahead of time. Reacting to the unexpected testimony of their own witness, prosecution spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo now says the Megaworld executive was not saying the exact truth. Isn’t that like calling their own witness a liar?

Poor fella. Nabansagan pang sinungaling.

And then came the finger-pointing. If you will recall, just days before the start of the impeachment trial, Rep. Miro Quimbo was all over the television, radio and newspaper claiming that Corona had 45 real estate properties. He even dared Corona to prepare the deed of donation for 45 real properties under his and his children’s names so the government can take hold of these once their ownership is proven. Thanks to the Internet, Quimbo’s words have been memorialized in cyberspace - permanently.

Fast forward to Day 11 of the impeachment trial. House lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas, admits that Corona does not own 45 real estate properties and blames the erroneous media reports on the Land Registration Authority (LRA). “We just want to put on record that the 45 did not come from the prosecution. It was a letter.....”, Tupas said before being cut off due to loud groans from spectators inside the Senate. For his part, Quimbo says he does not recall saying any such thing. Both being lawyers, haven’t they come across the Latin phrase “Falsus in unum, falsus in omnibus” which means “False in one thing, false in everything”?

So after the dust has settled, what did Tupas have to say about all these? In a morning TV talk show, he was heard saying that what has happened is part of the strategy of Corona’s defense team to make them look like amateurs and unprepared. Is he serious?! Maybe someone should tell Tupas that they’re doing a great job on their own. Or maybe, as several cyber denizens have suggested, they should spend more time behind a book rather than in front of the cameras.

Grace Lee – who’s that girl?

(Written by : ED UY)

Love is definitely in the air and it looks like even President Benigno Aquino 3rd has taken a whiff of the romantic air or bitten by the love bug (again).

The country’s most eligible bachelor admitted on Wednesday that he is indeed dating Korean television and radio host Grace Lee.

When asked about the real score between him and Lee, the President coolly replied, “Well, we’re seeing each other.” But when asked to give a bit more details, Mr. Aquino was quick to invoke his right to privacy.

“Sa Constitution po natin may nakalagay na privacy, eh. Baka pwedeng mabahaginan din ako ng karapatan na yon under Article 3,” the 51-year-old bachelor said.

After the President’s confirmation, Lee likewise affirmed that she is indeed dating the Chief Executive during an interview with a noontime news program.

News of their date first spread after controversial radio disc jockey Mo Twister, revealed on his Twitter account that he was able to make Lee squeal on her date with the President.

President Aquino and Lee met during the inauguration of the Korea Electric Power Corp. power plant in Cebu. Lee was hosting the event and was complimented by the President as “gwapa” or beautiful before he delivered his speech.

But while the President only met the 29-year-old host last year, Lee has already amassed a lot of Filipino admirers in the past years.

Lee was even voted to no. 57 on FHM’s list of 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2010, and a Facebook fan page soon followed asking the magazine to put Grace on the cover.

Though Lee has yet to appear on FHM’s cover, she did grace the pages of UNO magazine wearing an unbuttoned white polo dress and showing plenty of cleavage.

Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the Philippines when she was 10 because of her father’s car import business. She finished high school at St. Paul’s College in Pasig City, and took up Communication Arts at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Lee reportedly worked at Malacañang as an official interpreter before becoming a TV and radio personality in 2007.

She landed her first Philippine TV hosting job as a segment host on the now defunct QTV 11’s lifestyle-magazine show The Sweet Life. Among her first assignments included featuring life in Korea and interviewing prominent Korean celebrities.

She later joined Magic 89.9’s morning radio show Good Times With Mo with Mo Twister and Mojo Jojo as a replacement for Andi-9.

Lee also serves as Manila correspondent for Yonhap Television News in Korea, and teaches at the Manila New Life Church’s Sunday school for preschool students.

She is now a guest segment anchor both for Balitanghali on GMA News TV on weekdays and 24 Oras Weekend Edition on GMA Network on Saturdays.

In a text message to The Manila Times, Tinnie Esguerra, ALV Talent Circuit PR Manager, which manages Lee’s career, describes the young host as pretty much the same as her on air personality.

“Grace has been with us since 2011 and she is pretty much what she projects as a TV/Radio personality and events host—articulate witty and outrageously funny to those who know her well.”

Esguerra also disclosed Lee’s new website www.dailydose.ph where she shares her musings on cooking, travel, entertainment, pop culture and other peculiar thought-provoking pleasantries. Like a proud mom, Grace talks passionately about her new “baby” every chance she gets—birth pains notwithstanding.

“It’s an idea that’s been brewing since late last year,” she explained in a press release from her management. “Friends have always been bugging me about starting my own blog, and I figured, ‘Why the heck not?’ Except that this is more than just self-indulgent writing.

“Aside from having that space for chronicling my daily thoughts, I thought that it would be cool to have a neat online portal where we can help small startup businesses advertise for free.

“Having been exposed to all these new media, I just find it cool to be able to share my passions and interests to the world. I love cooking and sharing recipes, and my mom used to own a Korean restaurant, and someday, I’d love to start my own. Through the website, I could do restaurant reviews as well and write about my travels.”

With all the attention she has been getting recently, however, it looks like her readers might be more interested on her thoughts and reviews about her future dates with the President.

Meatless Mondays in QC proposed

A Quezon City councilor wants the city hall’s 11,000 workers, and those from the city’s 142 barangays and public schools, to practice a meatless Monday to encourage the consumption of vegetables even once a week.

Councilor Jessica Castelo Daza of District 4, in a proposed resolution, has urged city employees to stay away from meat on Mondays.

She said she is pushing for a meatless Monday, or the so-called Luntiang Lunes, for health reasons over alarming studies that most Filipinos are meat-eaters and have the lowest capita intake of vegetables in the world.

She said there is a high prevalence of hypertension in adult Filipinos, and seven million Filipinos suffer from diabetes.

Less meat consumption would reduce the risk of various health problems, she added.

Scientific data suggest positive relationships between a vegetarian diet and reduced risk for several chronic degenerative diseases and conditions, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and some types of cancer, she said, citing the results of a study conducted by the American Dietetic Association.

She said if every resident of Quezon City would live without a meat for a day in a week, the city could be able to help bring down carbon footprint and save precious resources, like trees, water and fossil fuel in just a year.

By Rio N. Araja

Environment department readies case vs ‘turtle-eaters’

The Environment department in Davao is building a case against the owner of a Korean vessel, its crew, and foreign missionaries onboard for dumping parts of a green sea turtle in a garbage bin in a wharf here.

The move came after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao Region was criticized for accepting the public apology of Hannah Parks, owner of the Korean vessel M/V Hannah Parks, during a press conference Tuesday, after some environmental groups and the City Agriculture Office reacted to the killing of the turtle.

DENR-Davao Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna admitted there obviously was a violation of Republic Act 9147, or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, although he said, based on the information gathered, the turtle was butchered in Palau.

“But since it (the killing) happened in Palau, which is outside the jurisdiction of the country, we demanded public apology but it does not mean that the issue was already close,” Sampulna said.

Parks denied they were the ones who caught and killed the turtle, saying it was given to them by the president of Palau during a visit sometime in October. The turtle was consumed and the remains were kept in a freezer as they started traveling to the Philippines in November last year.

“Those parts of the turtle were leftovers of what was butchered in Palau. We did not even know there were leftovers. We are here on a humanitarian mission and never meant to harm anything,” Parks said.

Sampulna said his office, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division personnel and some members of the Maritime Group and Coast Guard are now conducting a thorough investigation on the incident.

Sampulna said they sent a letter to the management of TV5 network Friday, requesting for a copy of the video footage its crew took of the dumping of turtle’s parts at a bin in Sta. Ana pier.

The network was also asked to submit an affidavit and stand as witness to the case that the DENR will be filing.

The department is also calling on local residents who saw the actual throwing of the turtle’s head and indelible parts to come out and give their sworn statement about the incident.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Asis Perez, meanwhile, said the DENR should have conducted a thorough investigation before accepting the public apology, adding it is so easy for Parks to say that the turtle was caught and butchered in a foreign land.

Earlier, City Mayor Sara Duterte urged the City Council to pass a resolution declaring Parks, the vessel crew and the missionaries as persona non grata or unwelcome persons in the city.

“They should understand that we don't tolerate this (act) in our city. We have supported their visit so they should respect the city,” she said.

However, City Council assistant secretary Charito Santos said she hasn’t received any information yet whether the council intends to schedule a special session for the mayor’s request.

Green sea turtles are listed in Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). Being included in Appendix 1 means a species is threatened with extinction and affected by trade.

Commercial trade in wild-caught specimens of these species is illegal (permitted only in exceptional licensed circumstances).

The Republic of Korea, Palau, and Indonesia, along with the Philippines, are among the 175 countries that are signatories to Cites.

By Jereco O. Paloma

PNoy, Grace Lee spotted "Making Beso" at the 112th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Manila Bulletin

Following their admission that they are dating, President Benigno S. Aquino III and TV and radio personality Grace Lee crossed paths at the 112th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin last night in Intramuros, Manila.

The President was the guest of honor at the occasion also attended by Lee, who writes a column in the Manila Bulletin’s Entertainment Section.

Lee, who is born of Korean parents but grew up in the Philippines, is also showbiz news presenter of GMA News TV’s noontime newscast “Balitanghali” and hosts a radio program.

The President was seated beside Manila Bulletin Chairman Dr. Emilio T. Yap and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma when Lee arrived in a red dress at the Penthouse of the Manila Bulletin at 6:45 p.m.

Aquino stood from his seat and pecked Lee on the cheek, offering her a seat.

The President stayed for a few more minutes chatting with the other VIPs attending the event while the other guests had their pictures taken with Lee.

Finally, Aquino stood from his seat with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in tow.

He waited for Lee, going down with her on the elevator.

Both President Aquino and Lee had admitted on Wednesday that they are dating.

“Well, we’re seeing each other,” was the bachelor President’s reply when asked on the real score between him and Grace Lee.

He however did not disclose other details, invoking his right to privacy.

On Wednesday, Lee confirmed she is dating the Chief Executive in Balitanghali, wherein she presents the Starbites segment.

She said the country’s first-ever bachelor President is “very simple and truthful.”

By MADEL R. SABATER

February is National Arts Month

In celebration of February as National Arts Month, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 683 issued in 1991, the government is holding a month-long cultural celebration, the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF), with the theme “Tradisyon at Inobasyon” (Tradition and Innovation). There will be workshops, exhibits, seminars, and performances, with renowned local and foreign artists taking part in the activities. Events and activities are led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

There are seven arts activities for the PAF. These are: Taboan, a literary arts festival; the First Asian Festival of Gongs and Bamboo Music; the Tanghal dramatic arts; Philippine International Visual Arts Festival: The Rizal Experience; Cinema Rehiyon; Architecture; and Sayaw Pinoy.

Sayaw Pinoy 2012, the longest running national dance tour now on its 9th year, is being staged in the National Capital Region, and in various venues in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. On February 3-4, 2012, the NCCA, the prime agency for arts and culture, brings the country’s top dance companies from Manila and emerging groups from the regions, to Davao City. The dance tour aims to reach the grassroots to discover new talents and to connect to more Filipino dance artists.

On February 20-24, 2012. The NCCA will bring the PAF to typhoon-stricken Cagayan de Oro City. The aim is to help in the healing process for survivors through music and dance. The gongs and bamboo music festival will be held in Baguio and Iloilo on February 25-28, 2012.

We congratulate the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, headed by Chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr., its Board of Commissioners, officials and employees, on the occasion of National Arts Month in February, 2012. We wish them all the best and success in all endeavors. MABUHAY!

Unemployment in the Philippines eases to 7 percent in 2011

At least 2.8 million Filipinos, or 7 percent of the population 15 years old and over, were unemployed in 2011, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said in its Labor Force Survey on Wednesday.

According to the survey, the unemployment rate in 2011 was lower by 0.3 percent compared to the 7.3-percent unemployment rate in 2010.

It added that 63 percent of the total unemployed were males of which 45 percent reached high school; 42 percent attained college education; and 12.6 percent attained at the most an elementary level education.

Meanwhile, the survey also revealed that at least 40 million Filipinos were in the labor force or were economically active in 2011.

It noted that the 2011 annual labor force participation rate (LFPR) was higher by 1.2 million compared to the 39 million LFPR in 2010.

By region, the survey showed that Mimaropa (Region 4b) and Northern Mindanao registered the highest annual LFPR both at 70 percent, while the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recorded the lowest at 55.6 percent.

In terms of level, the survey said that the total employed population in 2011 was estimated at 37.2 million persons. More than half, or 52.2 percent were engaged in the services sector; 33 percent were in agriculture; and 14.9 percent were in the industry sector.

It added that among the various occupation groups, the laborers and unskilled workers emerged as the largest group, or 32.6 percent. This was followed by farmers, forestry workers and fishermen with 15.4 percent; officials of the government and special interest organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors and supervisors with 14 percent; and service workers and shop and market sales workers with 11.1 percent. The rest of the occupation groups each comprised less than 10 percent, ranging from 0.4 percent to 7.4 percent.

The majority of the employed persons were wage and salary workers or 55.2 percent, the survey noted.

Moreover, the survey said that the annual underemployment rate in 2011 reached 19.3 percent or 7.2 million underemployed persons.

“The underemployed workers are employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours,” the NSO explained.

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Paying bus drivers based on commission to be abolished?

Malacanang on Thursday welcomed an order of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that abolishes the system of paying bus drivers and conductors on a commission basis.

“We hope that this new policy will address the longstanding concern of bus drivers, conductors, and passengers alike. We believe that this system is fairer to the bus drivers because it guarantees them a better wage,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has issued Department Order 118-12 that abolishes the bus boundary system in a bid to improve the income of bus drivers and conductors.

“Bus drivers and conductors are to be placed on a part-fixed and part performance-based wage system,” said Valte.

“The fixed component of their earnings at a minimum shall meet the minimum wage and other statutory wage-related benefits, while an incentive system, based on safety performance, business performance, and other related parameters is also hereby adopted,” she added.

The new system took effect in Metro Manila on Wednesday (February 1). It will take effect throughout the country by July 2012.

Valte said the policy should also improve traffic discipline, which will redound to the benefit of the commuters and motorists.

By Jill Beltran

Mayweather to fight Cotto in May, Not Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather will step back up in weight to fight Miguel Cotto for his WBA light-middleweight title on 5 May at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fight ends speculation that Mayweather would fight Manny Pacquiao in a super-fight in May.

"It will be a challenge for me to compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on," said Mayweather, 34.

Cotto responded: "On 5 May I will convincingly beat Floyd Mayweather."

He added: "I am here to fight the biggest names in boxing. I've never ducked anyone or any challenge in front of me."

Mayweather is due to serve an 87-day prison sentence for a domestic violence conviction but the Las Vegas authorities have deferred his sentence until 1 June and granted him a one-fight licence to allow the Cotto fight to take place.

"Miguel Cotto is a world-class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing," added Mayweather.

"I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again."

Cotto, 31, who has a 37-2 record, successfully defended his WBA super welterweight crown with a revenge stoppage win over Antonio Margarito in December.

Mayweather, meanwhile, scored a fourth round stoppage of Victor Ortiz last September.

The 34-year-old, who holds a 42-fight unbeaten record, last fought at light-middleweight when he outpointed Oscar De La Hoya in a disputed split decision in 2007.

Too Much Testosterone Linked to Inflated Ego: Study

Testosterone makes people more self-centered and less cooperative, a finding that may explain why group decisions can be affected by dominant individuals, researchers report.

Their study included 34 females who had never met. The women were divided into 17 pairs and asked to complete a series of tasks designed to assess their levels of cooperation. The tests were conducted on two separate days. On one day both women received a testosterone supplement. On the other day, they were given a placebo.

As expected, cooperation helped the pairs perform much better on the tasks than when individuals worked alone. Cooperation was normal when the women received the placebo, but was much less common after the women received the testosterone supplement, the investigators found.

Increased levels of testosterone were associated with the women behaving egocentrically and deciding in favor of their own selection over their partner's, said the researchers at the Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging at University College London in England.

The findings were published in the Jan. 31 issue of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

"When we are making decisions in groups, we tread a fine line between cooperation and self-interest: too much cooperation and we may never get our way, but if we are too self-orientated, we are likely to ignore people who have real insight," study author Dr. Nick Wright said in a center news release.

"Our behavior seems to be moderated by our hormones -- we already know that oxytocin can make us more cooperative, but if this were the only hormone acting on our decision-making in groups, this would make our decisions very skewed," Wright explained.

"We have shown that in fact testosterone also affects our decisions, by making us more egotistical. Most of the time, this allows us to seek the best solution to a problem, but sometimes, too much testosterone can help blind us to other people's views," Wright noted. "This can be very significant when we are talking about a dominant individual trying to assert his or her opinion in, say, a jury."

Testosterone is naturally secreted in both men and women. Previous research suggests that testosterone influences a number of social behaviors. For example, female prisoners with higher levels of testosterone have been found to be more anti-social and more aggressive.

President Aquino confirms dating radio DJ Grace Lee

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday admitted dating radio disc jockey and TV entertainment anchor Grace Lee.

“Well, we are seeing each other,” Aquino told reporters during the 25th anniversary of the Philippine Information Agency.

The President refused to entertain further questions asking the media to give him his right to privacy.

"I’ll leave it at that…. Our Constitution provides for the right to privacy. Maybe you could give me that right under Article 3," he said.

Aquino first saw the 29-year-old Korean host during the inauguration of a coal-fired power plant built by the Korean Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) in Naga City, Cebu in June last year.

“I thought she’s Pinay, but she is Korean. Even the Koreans here are beautiful,” Aquino said on Lee, who hosted the event.

Lee in return said that she was flattered by the President's comments.

Recently, the two were reportedly spotted dating.

The President earlier lamented that his love life had turned from regular to zero like a brand of cola.

His past relationships include Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad who recently married Pasig Representative Roman Romulo.

Aquino was also linked to several women such as teacher Bunny Calica, celebrity stylist Liz Uy, and stockbroker Len Lopez.

By Jill Beltran

Out-and-out STUPIDITY of the Prosecution

“The testimony of a vice president of Megaworld Corp. proved not only how much the prosecution and some senators wanted to link Corona to a supposed illegal transaction ... It also showed that this supposed court of law has no qualms about destroying the reputation of a legitimate business like Megaworld in its desire to do so."

Taken from: Jojo Robles

Yesterday’s trial was scandalous not only because the ineptitude of the House-led prosecution was once again very much in prominent display. Yes, most people who watched the hearing may have noticed the senator-judges (even some of the most palace-oriented ones) gently and not-so-gently telling the prosecutors to confer with their own witnesses before presenting them—and to not impeach them when they testify inadvertently in favor of the defense.

But the ignorance and out-and-out stupidity of the prosecution is an old story in this trial, of course. The more execrable conclusion that many observers reached yesterday is that the prosecution and some pro-palace senator-judges will not hesitate to interfere in the policies, practices and even financial and marketing judgments of private business, just to get Corona convicted.

The testimony of a vice president of Megaworld Corp. proved not only how much the prosecution and some senators wanted to link Corona to a supposed illegal transaction like his purchase of a Taguig condo. It also showed that this supposed court of law has no qualms about destroying the reputation of a legitimate business like Megaworld in its desire to do so.

Why should the Senate, the House panel and the private prosecutors tell businessmen how to run their business by informing them about how much discounts to give, how to value their products and even who to sell to, if it is not these enterprises that are on trial? Why should a business that is not even accused of any wrongdoing (and which is making a profit in these unprofitable times) be forced to explain how it reacts to market forces, its pricing methods and marketing schemes?

The business community must protest this undue interference in its affairs, especially because it is now working under a government that seems to have no clear economic programs and which doesn’t even bother about helping business make a profit, create jobs and grow the economy. And senators like Serge Osmena and Jinggoy Estrada—who displayed how clueless they were about the judgment calls made by successful enterprises like Megaworld—should not use the trial as an opportunity to show just how little business acumen they have.

Special mention must be made, naturally, about the sanity injected into the grilling of the Megaworld executive by construction tycoon Senator Manuel Villar. Villar explained to his benighted colleagues that developers routinely give deep discounts to buyers for a variety of reasons—including the pursuit of market share like the SM Group, which announced 40 percent markdowns to everyone, including to people not in any way connected to the Supreme Court.

Soon enough, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is also in the real estate development trade, lost his patience with the private prosecutor who wanted to introduce Megaworld’s yearend financial statements to impeach his own witness and dismissed the Megaworld executive. And the attack on business by ignorant lawmakers and lawyers who just want to convict Corona abated, for now.

Pacquiao reminds boxers about the dangers of their profession

There’s more to boxing than proper training, perseverance and hard work.

According to champion pugilist Manny Pacquiao, before everything else, one must first realize the dangers inherent to the sport and that they have to be ready for anything.

“Kung akala nila biro-biro lang ang boxing, no. Napakahirap ng boxing, puwede kang mamatay diyan,” said he in an interview with GMA News.

Pacquiao’s concern is highlighted with boxer Karlo Maquinto having fallen into a coma after his fight with an unheralded opponent Saturday.

Maquinto is still recuperating at the Far Eastern University Memorial Hospital as of this writing, with attending physicians still wait for further development.

This is not the first time that a local boxer has been put in such a quandary.

In 2009, rising boxer Z Gorres had to undergo surgery to remove a blood clot that formed in his head after winning in a 10-round bout held in Las Vegas.

Gorres was placed in an induced coma with no assurance of complete revitalization. He was able to come home only after three months of rehabilitation.

According to Gerardo Legaspi, a neurosurgeon, cases of patients gaining full recovery of their faculties under such circumstances are very low.

“Kapag umabot sa punto na ang utak ay ipit na ipit na at napunta sa coma [ang pasyente] ku-konti sa 10 % ang nakaka-recover dito,” said he in a separate interview with “24 Oras.”

Meanwhile, the Game and Amusement Board (GAB) claims that their hands are tied on getting indemnity for boxers, admitting that insurance companies are hesitant to cover them.

And there’s the question of “budget.”

“Ang games and amusement board walang budget diyan sa mga insurance ng boxers,” Monju Guanzon, GAB Chairman revealed in an earlier GMA report.

All that said, not a few brave young men from all over the archipelago face such conditions year in and year out in the hopes of surpassing, or at least equaling, the Pacquiao’s success.

But that said, Pacquiao only has one advice for wannabe boxers: “Mag-isip-isip sila.”

He added, “Hindi pupuwede sa isang boksingerong lumaban ng walang ensayo, na hindi handa sa kung anuman ang mangyari.”

The boxer went on to admit that at this point he is now mulling retiring his boxing gloves, eager as he is to concentrate on his political plans.

“Sinabi ko naman ng mag-go-gobernardor ako ng Saranggani. So, mag-focus tayo sa trabaho natin,” he quipped.

By NEIL RAMOS

Santiago says her critics are cretins, paid hacks

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday said critics of her behavior at the impeachment court last week are either courtroom cretins or are part of a smear campaign against her.

Santiago has been criticized for berating members of the House prosecution panel, notably Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., for apparently coming to the trial unprepared.

Private prosecutor Arthur Lim was also subjected to a tongue lashing from Santiago for a perceived challenge to her authority as a senator-judge.

During the trial Thursday, Lim was scolded for engaging Santiago in a colloquy, or discussion. When asked to confirm whether he specialized in maritime law, Lim answered he specialized in "everything," an answer that Santiago called impertinent.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzalez II said over dzBB Sunday that the members of the House should not be shamed on national television. "I hope they don't shout at us because we're not savages and we're also lawyers," he said.

Santiago, also on dzBB, said her critics were posturing in preparation for the 2013 elections.

In a press statement Tuesday, Santiago said she has been given "the TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) Award from the Philippine Jaycees, and the TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service) Award from the Philippine Lions, for excellence as a judge" and also taught at the UP College of Law "for some 10 years."

"By contrast, what is the record of actual courtroom experience of my enemies? If lawyers, most can only claim 'law experience,' but not 'trial experience.' Not every dimwit can claim 'trial practice,' which calls for the special rules on trial technique and procedure," Santiago said without naming a specific critic.

"I am aghast and postal that a party in litigation and the submental cretins who are my enemies have the gall to demand the power to control the personality of the judge. To educate the non-educable, it is the judge who controls the proceedings," she added.

Santiago also dismissed attacks on her mental health. "It always resurfaces when, in my crusade against corruption, I make enemies who are so filthy rich that they can hire an expensive PR firm specializing in dirty tricks," she said.

"On Sunday, while on the air, I was made to listen to an attack by a publicity-seeking senatorial candidate, and to malicious questions baiting me. On Monday, a columnist (known as a regular Malacañang apologist) used a fake letter trying to raise an issue about my mental health. And it goes on," she said.

She said she would no longer respond to questions on attacks against her, saying these might distract the public from the impeachment trial and might make her hypertension worse. She is currently on medical leave for hypertension. She attended the trial last week but was absent the week before that also due to hypertension.

"My enemies could deliberately provoke me with a personal attack that could lead me to further hypertension and a possible stroke, thus effectively removing me from the impeachment court," she said.

By Jonathan de Santos

Philippine Mayors urged to go online, help curb piracy

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is urging towns and cities to allow online renewal of mayor’s permits.

At a news conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pasig City, he called for a stepping up the department’s good housekeeping program to create a business-friendly climate and ensure the competitiveness of local government units.

“I hope that in time, we could renew a mayor’s permit through online application only, instead of going to the municipal or city hall,” he told reporters. “Anyway, all it takes in such transaction is just the assessment, plus the payment itself.”

Guillermo Luz of the National Competitiveness Council and acting country director Chiyo Kanda of World Bank have expressed support to make transactions more efficient.

Robredo expressed urgency to adopt best practices in governance.

“We want to help how to fast track the application process for business permits and other transactions. We need to catch up with other Asian countries, such as Malaysia, and even overtake them,” he said.

“Our competitors never sleep. They never stop. They always work harder.”

Meanwhile, Robredo told the Optical Media Bureau to tap mayors in a concerted crackdown on pirated video and other recorded materials.

He asked OMB Chairman Ronnie Ricketts to authorize the mayors nationwide to create their local OMBs and act against the rampant violation of intellectual property rights.

“Our fight against piracy must be a collective effort, and not just the sole responsibility of OMB,” he told reporters.

Roberto blamed the lack of adequate staff for OMB’s failure to fully stop the proliferation of contrabands.

“Government’s crackdown is not yet enough,” he said Ricketts must deputize the local governments as his enforcement arm.

“Nothing would really happen to our (anti-piracy) drive if OMB would not be capable of overseeing the illegal sale, distribution and manufacture of fake DVDs and VCds (in the countryside),” he said. “There must be local OMBs.”

by Rio A. Araja

'Bourne' Star Rachel Weisz's Heart Goes For Poor Pinoys

Barely three weeks since landing on Philippine soil, “Bourne Legacy” lead actress Rachel Weisz already expressed her deep concern for one of the country’s main problems – poverty.

This was according to actor John Arcilla, who shot a scene with the Hollywood actress in the film.

The fourth of the “Bourne” franchise is currently shooting in several Metro Manila locations.

Weisz, who is married to “James Bond” star Daniel Craig (also a recent visitor to the country to spend time with his wife), saw for herself the number of informal settlers around the metro. The shoot has taken Weisz to Manila, Navotas Fish Port, Marikina City and Pasay-Taft.

“Every break, nagkukuwentuhan kami ni Rachel and she’s more concerned with the poverty in the Philippines. She’s asking if the people in the squatters area on the side are just numbers of poor people in the Philippines or are there more. Hindi na ako nahiya, sabi ko they’re a lot... and sabi niya, ‘are these the poorest?’ I said no, they’re not the poorest,” Arcilla said in an interview with ANC.

The theater veteran, who has acted in international productions like “Born on the Fourth of July” (with Tom Cruise) and “McBain” (with Christopher Walken), said, “There’s this kilig... but sometimes you have to control it a little because sometimes you have this feeling you don’t wanna look like a fan... I have to be there as an actor to work with these actors,” he said. In the film, Arcilla plays the role of head security.

“The Bourne Legacy” is the fourth novel in the Jason Bourne series, written and directed by Oscar-nominated Tony Gilroy. Its lead stars are Jeremy Renner, Weisz and Edward Norton.

The film is set for August, 2012 release in the Philippines.

By JECELYN V. MACAHINDOG

Palawan officially one of world's New 7 Wonders of Nature

Malacañang expressed elation on Saturday over the official inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature.

"Confirmation that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature is welcome news indeed. Throughout the competition, Filipinos from all walks of life have given time, energy, and resources to this campaign," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Department of Tourism spokesman and Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the underground estuary made it into the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature after the validation process conducted by the New7Wonders Foundation last year.

"Bernard Weber, president of the New 7 Wonders based in Zurich (Switzerland), announced in a press conference Saturday afternoon that PPUR has been validated, along with Jeju Island in South Korea, as two of the seven new wonders. The rest are still being tabulated and verified,” Bengzon said.

"This effort has raised awareness not only overseas, but nationally as well: visits to the PPUR have increased tremendously. This is proof positive of how effective a national effort of this sort can be -- to build awareness, express pride, and achieve results," Lacierda said.

The Aquino government issued Presidential Proclamation No. 182 in 2011 to initiate a promotional campaign for the PPUR, which has also been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

Weber congratulated the Filipinos for supporting their national finalist in the global campaign.

“When your very own President (Benigno) Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously,” Weber said.

“Fans of PPUR all over the world responded to his call for action by voting in record numbers and today’s confirmation is the well-earned reward for this extraordinary display of enthusiasm,” Weber added.

The search began in 2007, drawing 440 entries from more than 220 countries.

Millions voted for the top 77, which was further narrowed down to 28 finalists for the final phase including the 17-kilometer underground river.

Still in the provisional list announced last November are the Amazon (South America), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina), Komodo (Indonesia), and Table Mountain (South Africa).

They are currently undergoing the three steps of the verification process, namely the national voting validation, the global voting calculation confirmation by an independent audit firm, and the preparation and implementation of the Official Inauguration ceremonies.

Puerto Princesa Underground River is located some 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan Island in the Philippines.

It consists of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers containing significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge.

By Virgil Lopez/PNA/Sunnex

American Superhero disappointing...

We think Mayweather is chicken.

To date, Pacquaio has acceded to practically everything that Mayweather has demanded, and every time the PacMan agreed,
the American asked for something new.

We have had it.

If the Pacquaio-Mayweather fight does not push through,
then so be it.

Like most people, we cannot wait to see the boxing match between Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

The fight, if it happens, promises to break all sorts of records for earnings. More than that, though, the fight between the two future Hall of Famers is guaranteed to make boxing history.

So we felt disappointed, if not put off, by reports saying that the fight was unlikely to happen in June 2012. On the face of the news, the issue seems to be about money. Pacquiao has offered a 50-50 split, but Mayweather apparently wants a bigger share.

The issue seems to be more than money, though. We think Mayweather is chicken. To date, Pacquaio has acceded to practically everything that Mayweather has demanded, and every time the PacMan agreed, the American asked for something new.

We have had it. If the Pacquaio-Mayweather fight does not push through, then so be it. In that case, Pacquaio is better off retiring than having a rematch with Miguel Cotto – or with whomever, even Juan Miguel Marquez. Sure, the “PacMan” could make more money if he fights again, even if it turns out to be boring. But we hope he realizes that there are other ways to make more money, such as landing new endorsement contracts and managing his earnings better.

Mayweather, for his part, disappoints us. Unless he puckers up the courage to fight, the last two things that people would likely remember about this great fighter is that he got into the Hall of Fame and that he went to jail.

Taken from: The Manila Times editorial