Defense Accused Palace of Bribing Senator Judges 100 Million

The defense team of CJ Renato Corona claimed that emissaries from the Palace offered Senator Judges 100 million to reject the Supreme Court TRO regarding the opening of the dollar accounts of the chief justice.

The PSBank successfully obtained a TRO from the Supreme Court barring the impeachment court to open the alleged Dollar Accounts of CJ Renato Corona. Although several savings accounts were already disclosed in the impeachment trial.

However, the defense declined to name their sources and the names of the Senators who have been offered with the alleged amount.

Interview with Antony Taberna Punto por Punto
Alleged 100 million bribe on Senator Judges - video

What's your take on this?

Deadly Philippine Quake Hits Visayas, Death Toll Rising as Rescue Efforts Continues

This is another tragedy that hits the Visayas region. The 6.9 magnitude quake that struck heavily populated provinces of Negros and Cebu on Monday resulted to landslides, infrastructure damages and claimed the lives of at least 52 people. But authorities say that the number is increasing as search and rescue operations started today. There were also at least 29 people went missing after the quake. Most of them were believed to be trapped in landslides in Guihulngan, a coastal city of 100,000 people in Negros where the epicenter is recorded.

As of Tuesday, Phivolcs recorded 745 aftershocks and authorities said that this will continue in the next few days. The highest recorded aftershock is 6.2 at around 6 in the afternoon yesterday. Though they assured the public that aftershocks will not result to a 6.5 magnitude earthquake but residents are still worried about thier safety. A tsunami warning (alert 2) was issued yesterday but coastal residents were allowed to return to their homes in the afternoon.

A barangay in Guihulngan City, Barangay Planas, suffered the most where 30 houses were buried in the earthquake- triggered landslides. Most of the reported casualties came from that barangay. Several casualties were also reported in Tayasan town. These are the areas nearest to the epicenter of the quake.

Some updates on the damages caused by the earthquake:
- there were 8 bridges that collapsed in Negros Oriental
- roads to mountainous areas remain unpassable
- telecomunication facilities were cut off but normal operation is expected today
- there are still some areas where with no electricity and water supply
- some areas are still isolated
- search and rescue operations is on-going in the landslide stricken villages

According to experts, the quake that hit several provinces in the Visayas was not yet included in their mapping. The fault line is new. Experts were already sent to Negros.




Pictures and Videos of the Earthquake in Negros Oriental and Cebu:

Senator Lito Lapid Claims Money for Medical Purpose, Wife for House

Senator Lito Lapid:
Wife Arrested in US for Undeclared Money

This is again another typical story about our politicians. Where to put their money. Or maybe hide. The recent apprehension of Senator Lito Lapid's wife in Las Vegas International Airport last Jan. 15 makes our mind wondering about the real purpose of bringing into the United States such huge sum of money.

Marissa Lapid was arrested for bringing in to the US undeclared amount of dollars when he travelled to the country. She was charged for smuggling $50,000 which is punishable with jail term. Mrs Lapid declared only $10,000 and P10,000 in cash. However, inspection of airport officials in her luggage revealed that she has a total of $50,137 and P15,700.

According to online reports, authorities only returned worth $493 and confiscated the rest of her money. Mrs Lapid is out on bail and will be required to appear in a Nevada District Court in February.

Mrs Lapid claimed that the money is intended for her house. However, his husband senator told the local media in the Philippines that her wife will be seeking medical attention in the US, thus the huge sum of money. She had an excess amount of money maybe because she will be seeking treatment for her heart problem, said the Senator.

While the country is seeking the truth whether the current Chief Justice amazed wealth through illegal means, one senator judge is dragged into a similar scenario. Senator Judge Lito Lapid must explain why he had a conflicting statement with his wife. It's not hard for people to surmise that they might be hiding something. Probably bringing outside of the country money which may come from unexplained sources. In fact, former Governor Ed Panlilio wants to revive the case against the Lapids regarding the P500M graft case on lahar quarry in the province.

We just hope that Sen Lapid can give a justifiable reason for this incident. And let's hope that he can also give a fair judgment on the graft and corruption case against Chief Justice corona.

Rep Iggy Arroyo is Not Yet Dead

Congressman Iggy Arroyo
Terminaly Ill

Mike Arroyo corrected earlier reports that his brother Congressman Iggy Arroyo is already dead. Major media outfits in the country reported that the congressman already died from a major illness in London.

The husband of former President GMA clarified that the Negros Occidental representative is only on life support. Iggy went to London months ago to seek treatment for his liver disease.

The younger brother of Mike Arroyo is known for his loyalty to his older brother. When Mike was involved in the accumulation of unexplained wealth in 2003, Iggy claimed that he was the Jose Pidal owning millions deposited in a bank account. Just recently, he again defended his brother in the anomalous purchase of helicopters in the PNP.

To make it clear, Rep. Iggy Arroyo is not yet dead, he is still alive but on a serious medical condition.

Latest update:

After battling for his life, Rep Iggy Arroyo is now dead as confirmed by his brother Mike Arroyo. His life support system was already removed and the doctors already pronounced him dead. The lawmaker suffered a heart attack when he was rushed to London Clinic.

Primer on Chief Justice Corona Impeachment

Below is a primer on the procedures and details of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. This primer will serve as the guide of Senator Judges, prosecutors and the defense. Read on and find out if the Senators can perform their duties with just and fairness in mind. Let's see if the lawmaker prosecutors will not be violating the rules of impeachment and the defense will be following the procedures.

Primer 101 on Impeachment Trial: CJ Corona Impeachment

Primer on Impeachment

Updates on the Aftermath of Typhoon Sendong: Deaths, Damages and Videos

Again, local governments and the local residents were caught unprepared when Typhoon Sendong hit their region. Local government officials blamed the weather bureau for their failure to give appropriate warnings and forecasts. The typhoon is not that strong but the rain that Sendong pours in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and nearby provinces equalled to 1 month of rainfall.

As of today, the death toll rises to 652 people and still counting. There were at least 900 people went missing. Government agencies and NGO's expects that the number will continue to rise as search and rescue operations intensify. Massive flooding (flash floods and mudslides) in several cities and provinces caused the deaths of many residents. There are more than 35,000 families who are in temporary shelters who need food and clothings.

Authorities also announced that mass burial will be arranged soon. With the number of dead bodies found, coffins were not enough and local officials suggested that local saw mills help them solve this problem. It was estimated that billions worth of infrasture and agriculture were damaged by Typhoon Sendong.


Videos of Typhoon Sendong


 


Latest update on Typhoon Sendong : Damages, Deaths, Funds, Donations, Search and Rescue

-as of December 20, NDRMMC reported a total of 957 deaths and still thousands are missing in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and other provinces
-damage to agriculture more than P2 million
-over 380,000 affected persons in 13 provinces
-1,582 persons injured
-P1.17 billion in calamity funds approved by Pnoy for rehabilitation and rescue operations in the affected cities

another update on the aftermatch of typhoon sendong: December 27, 2011
-the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a total of 1,080 deaths and 1,979 are still missing.
- authorities estimated that the total fatalities in the Typhoon Sendong could reach 3,000 deaths, Sendong is now one of the worst typhoon to hit the Philippines.
-evacuation centers are still flooded with evacuees
-foriegn donations are pouring in, UN, and other countries already sent their donations
-relocation site for the victims of typhoon sendong is already being prepared but it may take 4 months or more before the recipients can relocate to the site.
-most victims are now clearing their houses of debris and trying to make temporary shelter.

Chief Justice Corona's Wife Held 5 Positions during Arroyo Term



Corona's wife Accepted 5 Positions

 The Malacanang has the right to accuse impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona of being partial when it comes to the case of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. A recent report by ABS-CBN disclosed that the chief justice do not just have close ties with the former President but his family also benefited from the Arroyo government. The media outfit interviewed veteran journalist Marites Dañguilan Vitug who conducted an in-depth research on the Supreme Court. The journalist wrote the book "Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court."

5 Positions in Camp John Hay

According to Vitug, Corona's wife was given 5 positions in the Camp John Hay. What is disturbing is the acceptance of Mrs. Corona of 5 managerial positions all at the same time. She was appointed by former President Arroyo in 2007. She acted as the chairperson, president, chief executive officer, and chief operating officer of Camp John Hay.

But don't think that these positions are too much for Mrs Corona. The former President also named her as a member of the board and the latter allegedly forced the members to resign to give Mrs. Corona a free hand in the management of John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC).

Allegations of misconduct and negligence was filed against Mrs. Corona by JHMC. The ABS-CBN reports:

"[Corona] further compromised his independence when his wife, Cristina Corona, accepted an appointment on March 23, 2007 from Mrs. Gloria Arroyo to the Board of the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC)," it said. "Shortly after assuming her well-paying job at JHMC, serious complaints were filed against Mrs. Corona by her fellow Board members, as well as from the Management and rank-and-file employees of the JHMC. Mrs. Corona’s election as Director and President was reportedly withdrawn in a resolution passed by the Board of Directors of JHMC because of acts of misconduct and negligence."

According to the complaint, Corona's wife was not removed from her post despite the other complaints against her, including one from Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista who protested the replacement of the JHMC management team, in violation of the terms of a city council resolution that protects the security of tenure in the JHMC of local residents occupying key positions in the corporation. It also cited a Commission on Audit Report stating that Mrs. Corona "was improperly holding office in St. Ignatius Village in Quezon City... She was even allowed to rack up unnecessary expenses totalling P690,183, which she spent holding office in Quezon City when JHMC's operations were all in Baguio City."

Here's More

The chief justice also admitted to some of his colleagues that former President Arroyo paid for his medical expenses in one occasion. CJ Renato Corona served the former President as the chief of staff, spokesperson, presidential legal counsel, and executive secretary. She then appointed Corona as the chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2010 when election appointment ban is in place.


Another report from the Inquirer:

As president of John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), Cristina Corona, wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona, received P78,000 as monthly basic salary, JHMC records showed.

She also received a P10,800 monthly representation allowance, P20,000 for communication expenses every month and P40,000 per board meeting appearance, according to the records.

Data from the Commission on Audit showed she received P972,148.30 in salaries and allowances for six months last year broken down as follows: P469,986 for basic salary; P6,000 for personnel economic relief allowance and additional compensation; P334,000 for allowances; P154,962.30 for bonus, incentives and benefits; and P7,200 for other allowances.

In 2009, she received P939,972 for basic salary; P320,000 in per diem; P200,000 for representation and transportation allowance; P12,000 for  personnel economic relief allowance and additional compensation; P4,000 for clothing or uniform allowance; P184,630.79 for bonus and incentives and P254,400 for other allowances, or a total of P1,915,002.79. Ana Roa, Inquirer Research, and Inquirer Northern Luzon,
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/112595/how-much-mrs-corona-earned