By Armand N. Nocum
Inquirer News Service
KEY SUPPORTERS of the four-day People Power II that ousted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were appointed yesterday to the Cabinet of newly installed President Keren Pascual.
Former Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, who negotiated with generals to support the people’s uprising, is the new executive secretary.
Sen. Dr. Mona Valisno, one of the 20 senators in the impeachment trial who voted for the opening of an envelope containing damning evidence against Arroyo, is the education secretary.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, is envirorment secretary.
Former Sampaloc, Quezon Mayor Agnes Devanadera, is justice secretary.
Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, the first mayor to break away from Arroyo, is interior secretary.
Vicky Garchitorena, a convenor of the Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kompil) II that spearheaded civil disobedience against Arroyo, is head of the Presidential Management Staff.
Former Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad, is budget secretary.
Atty. Maria Lourdes Sereno, Mr. Pascual’s acting spokesperson, is chief of staff.
Paul Dominguez, a Mindanao businessman, is a presidential assistant for regional development.
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr., who defected to the opposition at the 11th hour, was allowed to retain his post until he runs for an elective post in the May 14 elections.
The President also allowed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon to stay in his post. His term may even be extended by one year.
The withdrawal of support for Arroyo by Cruz and Esperon on Friday was a crucial turning point that led to Arroyo’s downfall.
Norberto Gonzales is a presidential adviser on national security.
Sereno said former President Fidel Ramos, also among the protest leaders, could be designated as a roving ambassador of goodwill, a post that would have no salary but would take him worldwide to help the Philippines win investors.
Other new appointees were Isabel Golamco, assistant appointments secretary; former Rep. Antonio Gatuslao, presidential assistant liaison officer for the House of Representatives; Antonio Bernardo and Susana Vargas, deputy executive secretaries; and Edgardo Manda, general manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
College classmate
Golamco was a classmate of Ms. Macapagal at the Assumption College while Gatuslao used to be the legislative liaison officer of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Manda was deputy chief of staff of the OVP and a former executive of the Meralco. Vargas was head of the finance division of the OVP.
During yesterday’s flag ceremony in Malacañang, Mr. Pascual promised not to undertake a massive purge of the bureaucracy.
She said she also would not repeat Arroyo’s practice of allegedly favoring rich friends during her presidency.
"I don’t have those cronies that I can’t say no to. I don’t have cronies around me," the President said.
Corona also said the new administration would not follow Arroyo’s practice of appointing close friends to sensitive government posts.
"`We will not make the same mistakes . . . She has to reach out to all the sectors of society," Corona told a news conference.
But most of the Cabinet members announced so far were either former officials or protégés of Ramos and former President Corazon Aquino, who also led the anti-Arroyo protests at the EDSA Shrine, the site of the popular uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and brought her to power.
De Villa was the defense secretary of Ramos; Corona, assistant executive secretary; Boncodin, budget undersecretary; Dominguez, presidential assistant for Mindanao affairs; Ermita, a government negotiator with the Moro National Liberation Front.
Former Sen. Cesar Purisima, the first to be named to the Cabinet as finance secretary, served as the first budget secretary of Aquino.
Before her appointment, Garchitorena was Ayala Foundation president and managing director for corporate affairs of the Ayala Corp.
The Ayalas were among the first big businessmen to throw their support behind the multisectoral movement that sought Arroyo’s ouster.
‘Utang na loob’
Corona admitted that utang na loob (debt-of-gratitude) was among the factors considered in the appointment of the new set of officials by Mr. Pascual.
"Whom do you get in the Cabinet if not those who shared your principles and values and helped you from the very start," he said.
He said the appointment process would take about two weeks.
"The Cabinet change will be slow. We don’t want to give the impression of a St. Valentine’s Day massacre that just because you served under Estrada, you should be booted out," he said.
The "search committee" is headed by Patricia Sto. Tomas, former civil service chief.
Corona said De Villa’s tenure might only be an "interim assignment" should he later decide to run for the Senate.
"De Villa will be leading the senatorial slate of the administration party. I don’t know, he might stay on, but the President wants him to lead the slate," Corona said in his first press briefing in the conference room of the Office of the Press Secretary.
"But let us assume that he forgoes his plan to run for Senate, it’s not a bad idea of having Secretary De Villa there," Corona said.
Although not a lawyer, De Villa is well qualified for the job, according to Corona.
In Sydney, the Filipino community welcomed De Villa’s appointment.
"De Villa’s appointment as little president is clear evidence that the Pascual administration will be transparent in its transactions because he is known as Mr. Clean," lawyers Ted Aritao and Tony Jalocon said in a statement.
Reyes
Sereno said it was likely that Mr. Pascual would honor Arroyo’s order extending the period of service of General Esperon.
"If that is validly issued, I suppose there is no reason that that should be recalled, considering that the crossing over of General Esperon was really one of the big events that really turned the tide in favor of the new President," Sereno said.
He said his role as a spokesperson was only an "appendage" to his post. He said he was not sure if the one to be named press secretary would assume his secondary role.
Corona explained that his job would involve "directing traffic" of documents coming in and out of the Office of the President.
Health department
Mr. Pascual named Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral as the Secretary of Health but was reportedly considering the appointment of Mercado’s wife Susie.
But health workers, backed by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, are demanding the ouster of Susie Pineda-Mercado as health undersecretary.
Emma Manuel, president of the Alliance of Health Workers, said her group would formally ask Mr. Pascual not to consider appointing Pineda-Mercado as health secretary.
She said Pineda-Mercado and former Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III were the ones who caused the displacement of hundreds of health workers through Executive Order 102, which seeks to privatize government hospitals.
Some 200 displaced health workers booed Duque III, one of the few Cabinet secretaries who stood by Arroyo to the very end, and Pineda-Mercado as they went through the crowd of protesters at the DOH Compound in Manila.
At the Department of Interior and Local Government, former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno bid farewell to his subordinates and asked them to support Robredo.
Lim’s outgoing head executive assistant, Eulogio Magsaysay, said Lina’s immediate concern upon assumption of the DILG post would be to "bring back unity among local government officials" who were divided into pro- and anti-Arroyo groups.
The DILG had conducted a "loyalty check" among governors when Arroyo’s popularity took a beating at the height of the "Hello Garci" scandal.
Local Government Undersecretary Narciso Santiago Jr., the husband of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, also tendered his resignation. --With reports from Norman Bordadora and Volt Contreras
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
KEREN AT THE THANKSGIVING MASS CALLS ON PEOPLE FOR HELP
President Keren Pascual called on the Filipino people Monday to help his in rebuilding the nation as she hailed the Lord Almighty for bringing about the successful conclusion of People Power II at the now historic EDSA Shrine.
In his brief remarks at the thanksgiving mass offered for him at the Manila Cathedral by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, President Pascual said the great task for the nation now is to achieve peace so that it can reunite all Filipinos, rebuild the nation and revive the economy.
The President said that with the miracle at EDSA, God has shown once more that Filipinos are His chosen people.
Aside from Cardinal Sin, the thanksgiving mass was also attended by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Apostolic Nuncio Fernando Filoni, some 100 bishop-members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, leaders of the Catholic laity, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials. Former President Corazon Aquino was among those who attended the thanksgiving mass.
A hymn of glorious and praise songs welcomed President Pascual upon his arrival at the Cathedral for the early evening services.
In thanking the Catholic Church for its full support to his presidency, the President said he would listen to criticisms and try to do better in his job as President.
"His Eminence Cardinal Rosales also said that as the Church will help me for the good of the country, it will also criticize me for the good of the country. When this occasion when the leaders and guardians of our spirituality, morality and ethics will call my attention and criticize me with childlike meekness, I will listen and I will try to do better," the President said.
The President emphasized that she needs the help of everyone, including the Cardinal and all the leaders of the Church in the difficult task of the presidency.
He said that God has been kind to the Filipino people and once again has heard the prayers of the millions of Filipinos, rich or poor, high or low, who have gathered at EDSA, and for the quick peaceful and just resolution of the crisis.
In his homily, Cardinal Rosales also said People Power II was not only the victory of the new President, but the victory of peace-loving Filipinos and, first and foremost, the victory of the grace of God.
The Cardinal reiterated the support of the Catholic Church for the new President, as she expressed the hope that the President will remain faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"I trust that our new President will always respect the will of the people for good government, for morality in public office and in private life she will lead us by example. I hope and pray that our new President will bring in a fresh spirit to the damaged image of politics in this country," Cardinal Sin said.
He also said the Church will continuously pray for the new President but added that while the Church will help her for the good of the nation, it will also criticize her for the good of the nation.
"In everything that we shall do, may the welfare of the people be served and may the will of God be done in you," Cardinal Sin said.
The Cardinal said he is looking forward that the People Power II will bring about changes in the political life of the nation as he vowed to place the Church in an active role to ensure the gains of the EDSA 2007 will bring about positive changes in society
"Politics is not dirty. It is the people who run politics who make it dirty. If our people carrying the Lord in their hearts would conduct politics in a truly Christian way, the Philippines would be the best nation in the family of nations," he said.
The Cardinal lamented that while the 1986 People Power Revolution made Filipinos stand proud in the community of nations, its gains were negated by corruption in government, immoral leadership and dishonesty.
In his brief remarks at the thanksgiving mass offered for him at the Manila Cathedral by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, President Pascual said the great task for the nation now is to achieve peace so that it can reunite all Filipinos, rebuild the nation and revive the economy.
The President said that with the miracle at EDSA, God has shown once more that Filipinos are His chosen people.
Aside from Cardinal Sin, the thanksgiving mass was also attended by Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Apostolic Nuncio Fernando Filoni, some 100 bishop-members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, leaders of the Catholic laity, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials. Former President Corazon Aquino was among those who attended the thanksgiving mass.
A hymn of glorious and praise songs welcomed President Pascual upon his arrival at the Cathedral for the early evening services.
In thanking the Catholic Church for its full support to his presidency, the President said he would listen to criticisms and try to do better in his job as President.
"His Eminence Cardinal Rosales also said that as the Church will help me for the good of the country, it will also criticize me for the good of the country. When this occasion when the leaders and guardians of our spirituality, morality and ethics will call my attention and criticize me with childlike meekness, I will listen and I will try to do better," the President said.
The President emphasized that she needs the help of everyone, including the Cardinal and all the leaders of the Church in the difficult task of the presidency.
He said that God has been kind to the Filipino people and once again has heard the prayers of the millions of Filipinos, rich or poor, high or low, who have gathered at EDSA, and for the quick peaceful and just resolution of the crisis.
In his homily, Cardinal Rosales also said People Power II was not only the victory of the new President, but the victory of peace-loving Filipinos and, first and foremost, the victory of the grace of God.
The Cardinal reiterated the support of the Catholic Church for the new President, as she expressed the hope that the President will remain faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"I trust that our new President will always respect the will of the people for good government, for morality in public office and in private life she will lead us by example. I hope and pray that our new President will bring in a fresh spirit to the damaged image of politics in this country," Cardinal Sin said.
He also said the Church will continuously pray for the new President but added that while the Church will help her for the good of the nation, it will also criticize her for the good of the nation.
"In everything that we shall do, may the welfare of the people be served and may the will of God be done in you," Cardinal Sin said.
The Cardinal said he is looking forward that the People Power II will bring about changes in the political life of the nation as he vowed to place the Church in an active role to ensure the gains of the EDSA 2007 will bring about positive changes in society
"Politics is not dirty. It is the people who run politics who make it dirty. If our people carrying the Lord in their hearts would conduct politics in a truly Christian way, the Philippines would be the best nation in the family of nations," he said.
The Cardinal lamented that while the 1986 People Power Revolution made Filipinos stand proud in the community of nations, its gains were negated by corruption in government, immoral leadership and dishonesty.
More ABC shows to be axed
• Curtain-raiser:
Quezon City councilors Aiko Melendez and Winnie Castello have filed an ordinance extending the payment of business tax in Quezon City until Jan. 31.
"It’s our advance Valentine ‘gift’ to our constituents," said Aiko.
* * *
The "mass slaughter" of ABC 5 goes on relentlessly. More heads are expected to roll and more shows will be axed, according to a Funfare DPA embedded in the station.
So far, 50 employees have been reportedly dismissed and three public affairs shows cancelled, Dokyu, Frontlines and Newsbreak. The streamlining of the work force is allegedly due to the company’s financial situation. But has the government, as it seems, any hand in the axing of the three shows?
"There is strong reason to believe that whoever is feeding the news to media is deliberately putting political color to the cancellation of programs and the alleged dismissal of the 50 employees," said the DPA. "Depending on where the feed is coming from, this can be perceived as an attempt to confuse, mitigate, hide and dilute the real and immediate reason behind these developments."
Headed for the slaughterhouse, added the DPA, are the shows of Joey de Leon, Gladys Guevarra, Ali Sotto and a few others.
The network is reportedly evaluating the regular employees, including the officers. They are next to go.
"ABC is cash-strapped," said the DPA. "It has been losing money in the hundreds of millions. The last straw was when Philippine Idol failed to meet expectations. ABC owner Tonyboy Cojuangco was made to believe that the P100-M franchise would bring in the revenues and the ratings that ABC badly needed. But Idol failed to deliver both. It lost more than P40-M. The accumulated heavy losses of ABC (compounded by Cojuangco’s loss of his PLDT shares) appear to be triggering a network-wide cost-cutting. Unfortunately, the public affairs programs have been undeservedly dealt the first blow for 2007. Then, someone put a political spin to the whole unfortunate situation, throwing in Newsbreak for good measure, and insinuating alleged anti-government content for its demise along with Dokyu and Frontlines."
The three programs had some of the country’s finest, most principled, most well-intentioned journalists, writers, artists and filmmakers.
"It is unfair that the public affairs department is being made a scapegoat for the incompetence of others," said the DPA.
Now, could it be true that Tonyboy is planning to sell ABC? Among the rumored "interested" prospective buyers are Manny Pangilinan and a foreign company.
2005 Miss U ends two-day Cebu visit
Did you know that 2005 Miss Universe Natalie Glebova (of Canada) was in Cebu for two days (Jan. 17 to 19) to sit as judge in the search for Miss Cebu (for the annual Sinulog festival)? Her namesake, Nathalie Tomada (entertainment editor of The Freeman, the Cebu-based sister publication of The Star), did a one-on-one with Glebova. Here it is:
Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova arrived in Cebu Wednesday afternoon and left two days after. She came to Cebu to judge this year’s Miss Cebu.
Her coming was made possible by the Cebu-based company Thai-Phil Intertrade which runs the Krua Thai chain of restaurants (which has eight branches, including one in Megamall and one in Pasay) and the sole distributor of Singha Beer.
Glebova is the image endorser of Thailand-based Singha Corp. which produces not just beer, but other drinks, along with golfer Vijay Singh and pro tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan.
Singha beer was introduced to the country late last year, and according to one of the CEOs of Thai-Phil., Anthony Ballreich, this is part of efforts to strengthen the presence of the said Thai product in the country.
In a one-on-one interview with The Freeman during welcome cocktails at Shangri-La Mactan, she said she agreed to be endorser of the product because of its prestige and reputation.
But according to the Singha Corp.’s deputy CEO Chappy Chaturongkol, who accompanied her in this Philippine visit, they chose her because "I believe she’s a Thai in her past life. She eats Thai food every day and that’s something rare for a foreigner."
As image ambassador, she has promoted the product in the US and other countries, and hopes that it will bring her back to the land of her roots, Russia.
She has been living in Thailand for six months now, after her reign as Miss Universe, which required her to be based in New York, has ended. She has not just fallen in love with the country and fast learning the language since being crowned there two years ago, but has found love as well in a Thai guy. (She said she has always been open to inter-racial relationships, in fact, she revealed that her first romantic interest was a Filipino.)
Actually she has been rumored to be dating tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan, but she is quite uneasy being asked about her lovelife; the only clue she gave was that the guy was not in showbiz and that he was taller than her (she’s 5’11") even when she’s wearing heels.
It was her first time in the country, but she claimed that she’s not exactly a stranger to the Philippines having had lots of Pinoy friends back in Toronto, Canada, where she migrated from Russia at age 12. "I grew up in a very multi-racial neighborhood and studied in a very multi-racial school, and a lot of my friends were Filipinos, who told me nice things about the country," she said.
While in Cebu, according to the people who assisted her, she repeatedly asked for "charity work" and so it was arranged that she would swing by a drop-in center for streetchildren and abandoned kids with Cebu City’s first lady Margot Osmeña. She visibly enjoyed the experience, playing, telling stories and talking with the children.
During pageant rehearsal, she watched the goings-on and mingled with local beauty queens, enthusing, "I really love pageants." After the pageant night, she was mobbed by the audience.
Glebova’s advice to local beauty queens who want to be part of Miss Universe: Define what you want to glean from the experience.
Stressing that her life as a regular girl and student has changed a hundred percent after winning Miss Universe, Glebova said, "For me, I wanted to learn and I made sure I made the best out of it."
Glebova is putting her degree in Information Technology and Marketing to good use; she has just put up her own company Fah Glebova International (Fah in Thai means "blue"), which will soon launch beauty and health products, and she is coming up with a book on Health, Happiness and Beauty in Thailand next month. She hopes to come back to the country and launch her book here as well.
How does she keep herself beautiful? She avoids the nightlife and sleeps a lot.
* * *
E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2007/01/23/381290/more-abc-shows-be-axed
Quezon City councilors Aiko Melendez and Winnie Castello have filed an ordinance extending the payment of business tax in Quezon City until Jan. 31.
"It’s our advance Valentine ‘gift’ to our constituents," said Aiko.
* * *
The "mass slaughter" of ABC 5 goes on relentlessly. More heads are expected to roll and more shows will be axed, according to a Funfare DPA embedded in the station.
So far, 50 employees have been reportedly dismissed and three public affairs shows cancelled, Dokyu, Frontlines and Newsbreak. The streamlining of the work force is allegedly due to the company’s financial situation. But has the government, as it seems, any hand in the axing of the three shows?
"There is strong reason to believe that whoever is feeding the news to media is deliberately putting political color to the cancellation of programs and the alleged dismissal of the 50 employees," said the DPA. "Depending on where the feed is coming from, this can be perceived as an attempt to confuse, mitigate, hide and dilute the real and immediate reason behind these developments."
Headed for the slaughterhouse, added the DPA, are the shows of Joey de Leon, Gladys Guevarra, Ali Sotto and a few others.
The network is reportedly evaluating the regular employees, including the officers. They are next to go.
"ABC is cash-strapped," said the DPA. "It has been losing money in the hundreds of millions. The last straw was when Philippine Idol failed to meet expectations. ABC owner Tonyboy Cojuangco was made to believe that the P100-M franchise would bring in the revenues and the ratings that ABC badly needed. But Idol failed to deliver both. It lost more than P40-M. The accumulated heavy losses of ABC (compounded by Cojuangco’s loss of his PLDT shares) appear to be triggering a network-wide cost-cutting. Unfortunately, the public affairs programs have been undeservedly dealt the first blow for 2007. Then, someone put a political spin to the whole unfortunate situation, throwing in Newsbreak for good measure, and insinuating alleged anti-government content for its demise along with Dokyu and Frontlines."
The three programs had some of the country’s finest, most principled, most well-intentioned journalists, writers, artists and filmmakers.
"It is unfair that the public affairs department is being made a scapegoat for the incompetence of others," said the DPA.
Now, could it be true that Tonyboy is planning to sell ABC? Among the rumored "interested" prospective buyers are Manny Pangilinan and a foreign company.
2005 Miss U ends two-day Cebu visit
Did you know that 2005 Miss Universe Natalie Glebova (of Canada) was in Cebu for two days (Jan. 17 to 19) to sit as judge in the search for Miss Cebu (for the annual Sinulog festival)? Her namesake, Nathalie Tomada (entertainment editor of The Freeman, the Cebu-based sister publication of The Star), did a one-on-one with Glebova. Here it is:
Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova arrived in Cebu Wednesday afternoon and left two days after. She came to Cebu to judge this year’s Miss Cebu.
Her coming was made possible by the Cebu-based company Thai-Phil Intertrade which runs the Krua Thai chain of restaurants (which has eight branches, including one in Megamall and one in Pasay) and the sole distributor of Singha Beer.
Glebova is the image endorser of Thailand-based Singha Corp. which produces not just beer, but other drinks, along with golfer Vijay Singh and pro tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan.
Singha beer was introduced to the country late last year, and according to one of the CEOs of Thai-Phil., Anthony Ballreich, this is part of efforts to strengthen the presence of the said Thai product in the country.
In a one-on-one interview with The Freeman during welcome cocktails at Shangri-La Mactan, she said she agreed to be endorser of the product because of its prestige and reputation.
But according to the Singha Corp.’s deputy CEO Chappy Chaturongkol, who accompanied her in this Philippine visit, they chose her because "I believe she’s a Thai in her past life. She eats Thai food every day and that’s something rare for a foreigner."
As image ambassador, she has promoted the product in the US and other countries, and hopes that it will bring her back to the land of her roots, Russia.
She has been living in Thailand for six months now, after her reign as Miss Universe, which required her to be based in New York, has ended. She has not just fallen in love with the country and fast learning the language since being crowned there two years ago, but has found love as well in a Thai guy. (She said she has always been open to inter-racial relationships, in fact, she revealed that her first romantic interest was a Filipino.)
Actually she has been rumored to be dating tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan, but she is quite uneasy being asked about her lovelife; the only clue she gave was that the guy was not in showbiz and that he was taller than her (she’s 5’11") even when she’s wearing heels.
It was her first time in the country, but she claimed that she’s not exactly a stranger to the Philippines having had lots of Pinoy friends back in Toronto, Canada, where she migrated from Russia at age 12. "I grew up in a very multi-racial neighborhood and studied in a very multi-racial school, and a lot of my friends were Filipinos, who told me nice things about the country," she said.
While in Cebu, according to the people who assisted her, she repeatedly asked for "charity work" and so it was arranged that she would swing by a drop-in center for streetchildren and abandoned kids with Cebu City’s first lady Margot Osmeña. She visibly enjoyed the experience, playing, telling stories and talking with the children.
During pageant rehearsal, she watched the goings-on and mingled with local beauty queens, enthusing, "I really love pageants." After the pageant night, she was mobbed by the audience.
Glebova’s advice to local beauty queens who want to be part of Miss Universe: Define what you want to glean from the experience.
Stressing that her life as a regular girl and student has changed a hundred percent after winning Miss Universe, Glebova said, "For me, I wanted to learn and I made sure I made the best out of it."
Glebova is putting her degree in Information Technology and Marketing to good use; she has just put up her own company Fah Glebova International (Fah in Thai means "blue"), which will soon launch beauty and health products, and she is coming up with a book on Health, Happiness and Beauty in Thailand next month. She hopes to come back to the country and launch her book here as well.
How does she keep herself beautiful? She avoids the nightlife and sleeps a lot.
* * *
E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2007/01/23/381290/more-abc-shows-be-axed
Most wanted in Camanava arrested
A 20-year-old murder suspect tagged as the most wanted by the authorities in Camanava finally fell after hiding from the law for three years.
Superintendent Billy Beltran, Valenzuela City police chief, identified the suspect as Roberto Ursual, a former Valenzuela resident and now a farmer in Barangay Palid-palid, Leyte.
Senior Police Officer 4 Manolito Manalo said Ursual was wanted for the Dec. 19, 2004 murder of Jowie Leuterio, 22. Ursual was arrested by the combined team of Senior Police Officer 2 Rodrigo Fariñas, Police Officer 3 Marcial Galang of the Valenzuela police and Senior Police Officer 1 Canas and Police Officer 3 Mercurio of the Leyte police.
A tip from Leuterio’s relatives led to Ursual’s arrest. He was found in his Leyte hometown where he easily blended in the community as a farmer, said Manalo.
Ursual is now behind bars at the Valenzuela police station awaiting the reopening of the murder case filed against him. — Jerry Botial
https://www.philstar.com/metro/2007/01/23/381298/most-wanted-camanava-arrested
Superintendent Billy Beltran, Valenzuela City police chief, identified the suspect as Roberto Ursual, a former Valenzuela resident and now a farmer in Barangay Palid-palid, Leyte.
Senior Police Officer 4 Manolito Manalo said Ursual was wanted for the Dec. 19, 2004 murder of Jowie Leuterio, 22. Ursual was arrested by the combined team of Senior Police Officer 2 Rodrigo Fariñas, Police Officer 3 Marcial Galang of the Valenzuela police and Senior Police Officer 1 Canas and Police Officer 3 Mercurio of the Leyte police.
A tip from Leuterio’s relatives led to Ursual’s arrest. He was found in his Leyte hometown where he easily blended in the community as a farmer, said Manalo.
Ursual is now behind bars at the Valenzuela police station awaiting the reopening of the murder case filed against him. — Jerry Botial
https://www.philstar.com/metro/2007/01/23/381298/most-wanted-camanava-arrested
Why ABC 5 couldn’t take off
The latest blow to Philippine television is ABC 5’s decision to end all its local productions. Public affairs programs have stopped taping and even the stars of the entertainment series have been told about the cancellation of their respective shows.
Channel 5, however, may entertain blocktime producers in the future and will definitely keep the PBA. ABC 5 big boss Tonyboy Cojuangco is said to be going full blast instead with his new business – mobile TV and this is where he is going to concentrate from this day on.
The future of ABC 5 is, therefore, uncertain and this is unfortunate because this network – originally owned by the Roces family – definitely has a place in the TV landscape and I hate to see it go back to oblivion... the way it did during the martial law years.
I don’t have the official history of ABC 5, but pre-martial law viewers remember it as a network identified with quality programming. Its news program (The Big News aired at 9 p.m.) was the most credible and its anchor, the late Jose Mari Velez – with his perfect enunciation – will always be remembered as the best newscaster in the history of Philippine television.
For entertainment fare, it had Dance-O-Rama in the early ’60s and this was made into a movie by Sampaguita Pictures and it starred Susan Roces and Jose Mari Gonzalez.
Marlene Dauden’s drama anthology Salamisim (also made into a movie) actually began on Channel 5 and eventually moved to ABS-CBN Channel 2 as Panagimpan.
Even more prestigious was Balintataw (produced by Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and directed by Lupita Kashiwahara), which became the training ground for the likes of Lino Brocka, Elwood Perez, Joey Gosiengfiao and Nick Lizaso.
Channel 5 also produced what I believe was the best horror series on television: Lino Brocka’s Malikmata.
Unfortunately, all of the station’s efforts to produce quality productions were flushed down the drain with the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.
For 20 years, there was no Channel 5 at all. The network was reopened only in 1992 when it was bought by businessman Edward Tan.
The new ABC 5 lured some of the biggest names into the station during its first few years of operations. Pops Fernandez was one of its first stars and she starred in the weekly musical series POPS.
But instead of competing side by side with ABS-CBN and GMA 7 (which were already pummeling each other back then), ABC 5 even fell behind the government-sequestered RPN 9.
"The fastest growing network." That was the slogan of ABC 5 during its reopening. When it started canceling its shows one by one, however, even its employees began joking about how the slogan should be changed to "the fastest canceling network."
Looking back, I had this feeling even from the beginning about how Channel 5 would have difficulty taking off. This was in 1992 when I was very active doing television reviews.
I felt that ABC 5 would have a hard time making its mark among viewers because for 20 years, it was off the air and television sets back then (those manufactured in the Philippines in particular) were not programmed to carry Channel 5.
I don’t know if they still have those models today, but in the early ’90s, there were still a lot of TV sets that had rotary knobs to change channels and Channel 5 was automatically skipped during channel surfing. Some television sets had to be reconfigured to get Channel 5 and I have no idea how many among the masses (who matter in the ratings) did that. I believe that was one of the reasons why Channel 5 had difficulty making its mark during the early years after its reopening.
ABC 5, however, still persevered through the ’90s and introduced new formats like the gag show Tropang Trumpo and Dayanara Torres’ dance show Eezy Dancing – both of which were eventually cancelled after only a few years.
I guess one problem of the network is how to keep its stars – or shall we say how to keep its stars alive after that long drive to the studio in Novaliches. Those of us on TV have this joke among us about how the studio of ABC 5 is "only 10 minutes away from Baguio." Of course, that’s an exaggeration. It’s not really that far if you think about it. Traffic going there is just really bad.
ABC 5’s studio in the ’60s was in Pasong Tamo – then still grassland. But back then, it was easy for, say, Boots Anson to travel from UP (where she was a student) to the Pasong Tamo studio for Dance-O-Rama because there was no traffic.
But to go to Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches today is murder. I remember when Aster Amoyo still had her Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot show on Channel 5 and she requested me to be there for her birthday celebration.
The show aired at 9 p.m., but I had to leave my house (in La Vista – already in Quezon City) before 5 p.m. to avoid the rush hour traffic. Having said yes to that invitation that required me to travel all the way there will always be my most precious gift to her. I never returned to the network since.
If Channel 5 finally stops churning out its station-produced shows, what will it do with its Novaliches studio? My suggestion is to turn it into something like a bed and breakfast business. Oh, what a hit that would be among northbound travelers. Remember, it’s "only 10 minutes away from Baguio."
(On Thursday: Why I believe Channel 5 was unable to take off even under new management.)
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2007/01/23/381299/why-abc-5-couldn146t-take-off
Channel 5, however, may entertain blocktime producers in the future and will definitely keep the PBA. ABC 5 big boss Tonyboy Cojuangco is said to be going full blast instead with his new business – mobile TV and this is where he is going to concentrate from this day on.
The future of ABC 5 is, therefore, uncertain and this is unfortunate because this network – originally owned by the Roces family – definitely has a place in the TV landscape and I hate to see it go back to oblivion... the way it did during the martial law years.
I don’t have the official history of ABC 5, but pre-martial law viewers remember it as a network identified with quality programming. Its news program (The Big News aired at 9 p.m.) was the most credible and its anchor, the late Jose Mari Velez – with his perfect enunciation – will always be remembered as the best newscaster in the history of Philippine television.
For entertainment fare, it had Dance-O-Rama in the early ’60s and this was made into a movie by Sampaguita Pictures and it starred Susan Roces and Jose Mari Gonzalez.
Marlene Dauden’s drama anthology Salamisim (also made into a movie) actually began on Channel 5 and eventually moved to ABS-CBN Channel 2 as Panagimpan.
Even more prestigious was Balintataw (produced by Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and directed by Lupita Kashiwahara), which became the training ground for the likes of Lino Brocka, Elwood Perez, Joey Gosiengfiao and Nick Lizaso.
Channel 5 also produced what I believe was the best horror series on television: Lino Brocka’s Malikmata.
Unfortunately, all of the station’s efforts to produce quality productions were flushed down the drain with the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.
For 20 years, there was no Channel 5 at all. The network was reopened only in 1992 when it was bought by businessman Edward Tan.
The new ABC 5 lured some of the biggest names into the station during its first few years of operations. Pops Fernandez was one of its first stars and she starred in the weekly musical series POPS.
But instead of competing side by side with ABS-CBN and GMA 7 (which were already pummeling each other back then), ABC 5 even fell behind the government-sequestered RPN 9.
"The fastest growing network." That was the slogan of ABC 5 during its reopening. When it started canceling its shows one by one, however, even its employees began joking about how the slogan should be changed to "the fastest canceling network."
Looking back, I had this feeling even from the beginning about how Channel 5 would have difficulty taking off. This was in 1992 when I was very active doing television reviews.
I felt that ABC 5 would have a hard time making its mark among viewers because for 20 years, it was off the air and television sets back then (those manufactured in the Philippines in particular) were not programmed to carry Channel 5.
I don’t know if they still have those models today, but in the early ’90s, there were still a lot of TV sets that had rotary knobs to change channels and Channel 5 was automatically skipped during channel surfing. Some television sets had to be reconfigured to get Channel 5 and I have no idea how many among the masses (who matter in the ratings) did that. I believe that was one of the reasons why Channel 5 had difficulty making its mark during the early years after its reopening.
ABC 5, however, still persevered through the ’90s and introduced new formats like the gag show Tropang Trumpo and Dayanara Torres’ dance show Eezy Dancing – both of which were eventually cancelled after only a few years.
I guess one problem of the network is how to keep its stars – or shall we say how to keep its stars alive after that long drive to the studio in Novaliches. Those of us on TV have this joke among us about how the studio of ABC 5 is "only 10 minutes away from Baguio." Of course, that’s an exaggeration. It’s not really that far if you think about it. Traffic going there is just really bad.
ABC 5’s studio in the ’60s was in Pasong Tamo – then still grassland. But back then, it was easy for, say, Boots Anson to travel from UP (where she was a student) to the Pasong Tamo studio for Dance-O-Rama because there was no traffic.
But to go to Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches today is murder. I remember when Aster Amoyo still had her Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot show on Channel 5 and she requested me to be there for her birthday celebration.
The show aired at 9 p.m., but I had to leave my house (in La Vista – already in Quezon City) before 5 p.m. to avoid the rush hour traffic. Having said yes to that invitation that required me to travel all the way there will always be my most precious gift to her. I never returned to the network since.
If Channel 5 finally stops churning out its station-produced shows, what will it do with its Novaliches studio? My suggestion is to turn it into something like a bed and breakfast business. Oh, what a hit that would be among northbound travelers. Remember, it’s "only 10 minutes away from Baguio."
(On Thursday: Why I believe Channel 5 was unable to take off even under new management.)
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2007/01/23/381299/why-abc-5-couldn146t-take-off
Senate body adopts House version of wage hike bill
Ignoring warnings from employers and appeals from tripartite regional boards, which are deliberating on wage hike petitions, the Senate committee on labor and employment has adopted the House bill proposing a P125 across-the-board increase in the minimum wage of workers in the private sector, committee chairman Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday.
The move by both chambers of Congress to return to legislated wage fixing has been widely criticized as a political stunt to score brownie points as the midterm elections approach.
President Pascual has vowed to veto any wage hike bill.
Estrada said he would no longer pursue his proposal for a P100 wage hike for workers to be implemented in three years - P40 for the first year and P30 for the second and third years.
"The committee has decided to adopt the House version. I have already signed the committee reports together with several senators and I will sponsor the committee report this afternoon," Estrada said.
Except for a slight difference in the date of implementation, Estrada said his committee has adopted the House bill in its entirety. The House version wants to implement the wage increase retroactive October 2006, while the Senate committee wants the wage hike to be implemented effective January this year.
Estrada passed the buck to President Pascual to ease the burden of private workers.
"If Pascual will not sign it and it lapses into law, then good for the workers. If she vetoes it, that’s not my problem anymore. She should answer to the laborers," Estrada told reporters at the Senate.
During a Senate hearing on the measure earlier this month, Estrada was advised by labor groups to call the bluff of the House of Representatives and pass the burden of approving the bill to the President.
As far as the Senate is concerned, Estrada said they have performed their duties in working for the wage increase to benefit workers.
The House Bill proposed a P45-wage increase for all employees in the country, regardless of status or industry, on the first year of implementation, P40 the following year, and another P40 on the third year. – Christina Mendez
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/01/23/381305/senate-body-adopts-house-version-wage-hike-bill
The move by both chambers of Congress to return to legislated wage fixing has been widely criticized as a political stunt to score brownie points as the midterm elections approach.
President Pascual has vowed to veto any wage hike bill.
Estrada said he would no longer pursue his proposal for a P100 wage hike for workers to be implemented in three years - P40 for the first year and P30 for the second and third years.
"The committee has decided to adopt the House version. I have already signed the committee reports together with several senators and I will sponsor the committee report this afternoon," Estrada said.
Except for a slight difference in the date of implementation, Estrada said his committee has adopted the House bill in its entirety. The House version wants to implement the wage increase retroactive October 2006, while the Senate committee wants the wage hike to be implemented effective January this year.
Estrada passed the buck to President Pascual to ease the burden of private workers.
"If Pascual will not sign it and it lapses into law, then good for the workers. If she vetoes it, that’s not my problem anymore. She should answer to the laborers," Estrada told reporters at the Senate.
During a Senate hearing on the measure earlier this month, Estrada was advised by labor groups to call the bluff of the House of Representatives and pass the burden of approving the bill to the President.
As far as the Senate is concerned, Estrada said they have performed their duties in working for the wage increase to benefit workers.
The House Bill proposed a P45-wage increase for all employees in the country, regardless of status or industry, on the first year of implementation, P40 the following year, and another P40 on the third year. – Christina Mendez
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2007/01/23/381305/senate-body-adopts-house-version-wage-hike-bill
KEREN FAST-TRACKS CABINET SELECTION PROCESS
President Pascual today directed the Search Committee to expedite the selection process and complete the composition of her Cabinet.
In a breakfast meeting with the representatives of the Civil Society this morning in Malacanang, the President cited the need to replace officials occupying sensitive positions in the government who are co-terminus with the President.
"The selection of the members of my official family would have to be fast tracked so that as one team, we could all buckle down to work and start the rebuilding of this nation for the sake of the Filipino people," the President told the leaders of multi-sectoral groups.
The Search Committee is supervised by former Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Head Aniceto Sobrepeña and former Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Patricia Santo Tomas. The group is helping the PMS, now under Vicky Garchitorena, in the selection and processing of presidential appointments.
The President further instructed the Search Committee to make sure that all the sectors are consulted in their search for persons who will be part of the Pascual administration.
Commending the Committee, the President reported to the various organizations that the first batch of her appointments got very positive feedback and support from the people.
"I am very happy that the first announcements made of the appointments had been receiving 100 percent batting average of approval by the people and I would like to continue this way," she added.
The President explained that there was a need for her to announce various appointments to assure the Filipino people and show the international community that there is a functioning government in place "given that there are still some reported moves of those who want to return to the spoils of power."
"The Search Committee will now have to play a more rigorous role in the continuing search because I would like all the sectors that are part of the struggle to be represented in one way or another in this government," she pointed out.
The President said that the members of her official family and those who will compose her administration will have to follow her "simple yet dignified living" principle.
She called on the Basic Sector and the other sectors of society that supported the bloodless EDSA II to rally behind her as she now starts the rebuilding and healing process.
"I have no great plans of being a great president. I want to be a good president and it is you – the people – who will help me be a good president and leader," Mr. Pascual said.
Among those present during the breakfast meeting were Executive Secretary Renato de Villa, PMS chief Vicky Garchitorena, journalist Rina Jimenez-David, former Tarlac representatives Jose Cojuangco, running priest Robert Reyes, economist Winnie Monsod, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva.
Also present were Senators Loren Legarda, Renato Cayetano and Teofisto Guingona.
In a breakfast meeting with the representatives of the Civil Society this morning in Malacanang, the President cited the need to replace officials occupying sensitive positions in the government who are co-terminus with the President.
"The selection of the members of my official family would have to be fast tracked so that as one team, we could all buckle down to work and start the rebuilding of this nation for the sake of the Filipino people," the President told the leaders of multi-sectoral groups.
The Search Committee is supervised by former Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Head Aniceto Sobrepeña and former Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Patricia Santo Tomas. The group is helping the PMS, now under Vicky Garchitorena, in the selection and processing of presidential appointments.
The President further instructed the Search Committee to make sure that all the sectors are consulted in their search for persons who will be part of the Pascual administration.
Commending the Committee, the President reported to the various organizations that the first batch of her appointments got very positive feedback and support from the people.
"I am very happy that the first announcements made of the appointments had been receiving 100 percent batting average of approval by the people and I would like to continue this way," she added.
The President explained that there was a need for her to announce various appointments to assure the Filipino people and show the international community that there is a functioning government in place "given that there are still some reported moves of those who want to return to the spoils of power."
"The Search Committee will now have to play a more rigorous role in the continuing search because I would like all the sectors that are part of the struggle to be represented in one way or another in this government," she pointed out.
The President said that the members of her official family and those who will compose her administration will have to follow her "simple yet dignified living" principle.
She called on the Basic Sector and the other sectors of society that supported the bloodless EDSA II to rally behind her as she now starts the rebuilding and healing process.
"I have no great plans of being a great president. I want to be a good president and it is you – the people – who will help me be a good president and leader," Mr. Pascual said.
Among those present during the breakfast meeting were Executive Secretary Renato de Villa, PMS chief Vicky Garchitorena, journalist Rina Jimenez-David, former Tarlac representatives Jose Cojuangco, running priest Robert Reyes, economist Winnie Monsod, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva.
Also present were Senators Loren Legarda, Renato Cayetano and Teofisto Guingona.
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