SSS Officials receives P127.4 M from mining company

Four officials of the Social Security System (SSS) got a total of P127.4 Million worth of "financial compensation" package from one of the leading mining firms, said on a document submitted before the Senate, Tuesday.


Records of Philex Mining Corporation stated that SSS Chairman Thelmo Cunanan acquired P83.1 M in form of the firm’s bonuses, and benefits. Former SSS presidents Romulo Neri (P17.2 M), Corazon dela Paz-Bernardo (P20.27 M), and Commissioner Sergio Ortiz-Luis with (P6.3 M.)


The four commissioners received the anomalous benefit and compensation package from Philex.


Joint hearing of Senate Committees on Finance headed by Senator Franklin Drilon exposed that Commissioner Cunanan made a total of P66.6 million, aside from the compensation package from the stock option grants-- from the mining corporation on 2007, 2009, and 2010.


DWIZ NEWS

Singson allowed to post bail temporarily by HK gov’t

Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson was allowed to be temporarily out of jail after a Hong Kong court allowed him to post HK$1 million (about P5.77 million) bail for his drug case.

Marikina Representative Romero Federico Quimbo, relayed the said information after attending the probe Thursday, in Hong Kong.

The bond was paid by Singson’s "friends," and signed the agreement together with Hong Kong nationals who will also take custody of the solon.

However Singson was not allowed to leave Hong Kong, and was ordered to visit and report to the police station everyday.

Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson his father and rumored girlfriend, actress Lovi Poe was present at the court investigation.


DWIZ NEWS

Pnoy reveals schedule on first presidential trip

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will have his first US trip on September 20. This is his first foreign trip as the president of the country, since June 30.

The palace officially announced the schedule of the President’s very first US trip. Aquino will stay in the US for a week, but the US president Barrack Obama hasn’t confirmed yet.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP) Office Head Ricky Carandang, stated that they are very much excited for the first presidential trip of Aquino, as it is his first time to face the world stage.

Aquino will be attending the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York, and will be followed by visits in Washington and California.


DWIZ NEWS

Senator bares anomalous deal of IBC 13

A senator on Monday exposed the anomalous midnight agreement between the government-run television network, IBC 13 and a construction firm that was described to be "grossly disadvantageous to the government".


Senator Franklin Drilon stated that IBC 13 together with the R-II Builders Inc./ Primestate Ventures Inc penned a deal last March 24, 2010, which bypassed reviews of concerned state agencies.


The agreement was signed by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel last March 23, in the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) on February 19, and at the Office of the Solicitor General last February 26.

DWIZ NEWS

Aquino to study privatization of PAGCOR

President Noynoy Aquino said he would like to study the proposed sale of the state gambling firm PAGCOR. Aquino said the government should ensure a sale at the best price possible.

According to Aquino, Pagcor would be a unique privatization proposition, given its share of political and corruption controversies. Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation Vice Chairman Ramon Ang has come out to support the idea of privatizing PAGCOR.

Senator wants death penalty back

Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto plans to relive death penalty punishment for drug traffickers.

According to Sotto the removal of the said law brought about bigger cases of drug trafficking in the country.

The Senator added that drug traffickers are not threatened on the existing laws and punishment in the country.

Sotto stressed that was also thinking of alternatives to eventually seize the said the illegal drugs marketing, w/o having to take someone’s life.

Sotto noted that he prioritized filing a resolution that aims to build a national penitentiary for cases related with drugs.

The Senator pointed out that criminals found guilty of drug trafficking should not be melded with other prisoners in fears of selling drugs even in bars.


DWIZ NEWS
Paula Panganiban

CBCP criticizes call for abortion

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) criticized the suggestion of a Women’s health rights group En-Gender Rights to legalize abortion in the country.

According to CBCP Spokesman Francis Lucas abortion and murder of an innocent child should not be tolerated, adding that being a rape victim is not an exception.

Father Lucas hoped that the lawmakers’ conscience prevails.

The bishop added that abortion is a form of murder and is sinful in the eyes of God.


DWIZ NEWS
Paula Panganiban

Militant group members caused disputes among MOA securities

A fracas between 15 militant members of the People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP) and security officers of the SM Mall of Asia, after they prevented them from getting near the area, where foreign traders are conducting a press conference.


The said press conference is about the safety of eating and consuming Turkish Flour, amidst hearsays of perilous ingredients.


The group was led by Ronald Lumbao, wearing yellow shirts with a message printed on it "pandesal na mura; panlason sa masa" ( Cheap bread, poison for the poor), and opposition on importing the said products, "no to importation of Toxic Turkish Flour."



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Paula Panganiban

P-noy nullifies all midnight appointments--except Corona

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino approved the validity of Chief Justice Renato Corona, but revoked all other midnight appointments, said the president’s Legal Counsel, Wednesday.


Presidential Legal Counsel Ed De Mesa disclosed the Palace’s announcement of E.O. No. 2 that revokes all forms of midnight appointments on Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, on or after March 10, 2010-- the final months of her term.


Arroyo’s appointments will be barred under the Omnibus election Code of the Constitution.


Corona was exempted in the said Executive order, validating his appointment as the country’s chief justice.


" The President has acknowledge Chief Justice Corona as Chief Justice," said De Mesa amid calls for his resignation earlier.


DWIZ NEWS
Paula Panganiban

Senate withdraws witness protection of Lozada and two others

Senate is now withdrawing the witness protection on Engr. Jun Lozada who used to be the star witness on the anomalous NBN-ZTE Deal.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile confirmed the said decision and will be cutting off its protective custody on Lozada and two more witnesses of the capitulated Legacy Group of Companies, Namnaman Pacete and Carolina Hinola.


According to Senate Sgt. at Arms Retired General Jose Balajadia they have pulled out security on the three whistleblowers since July 30.

According to Senator Enrile, he believes that there are no threats on the lives of the three witnesses, as the controversy had already passed.

DWIZ NEWS
Paula Panganiban