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

Senators Take Oath as Judges in the Impeachment of CJ Corona

Videos of Senators Convened and Took Oath in the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona

Complete List of Congressmen who Signed Impeachment of CJ Corona

 Below are the names of Congressmen who supported/signed the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

1. Tupas, Niel Jr.
2. Umali, Reynaldo
3. Abaya, Joseph Emilio
4. Del Rosario, Antonio
5. Bag-ao, Arlene
6. Teodoro, Marcelino
7. Castelo, Winston
8. Arago, Maria Evita
9. Golez, Roilo
10. Lacson-Noel, Josephine Veronique
11. Cerilles, Aurora
12. Calixto-Rubiano, Emi
13. Bello, Walden
14. Hataman-Salliman, Jim
15. Catamco, Nancy
16. Lanete, Scott Davies
17. Valencia, Rodolfo
18. Noel, Florencio
19. Mendoza, Mark
20. Gatchalian, Rex
21. Gonzales, Aurelio Jr.
22. Ferrer, Jeffrey
23. Fuentes, Daisy
24. Yu, Victor
25. Rodriguez, Isidro Jr.
26. Angping, Zenaida
27. Espina, Rogelio
28. Ramos, Deogracias Jr.
29. Cortuna, Julieta
30. Zamora-Apsay, Maria Carmen
31. Garay, Florencio
32. Mercado, Roger
33. Roman, Herminia
34. Garin, Janette
35. Gonzales, Neptali II
36. De Venecia, Gina
37. Cojuangco, Enrique
38. Herrera-Dy, Bernadette
39. Loong, Tupay
40. Bernos, Ma. Jocelyn
41. Sahidulla, Nur-ana
42. Balindong, Pangalian
43. Guanlao, Agapito
44. Garcia Albano, Mylene
45. Arenas, Ma. Rachel
46. Cojuangco, Kimi
47. Yap, Susan
48. Go, Ana Cristina
49. Alvarez, Antonio
50. Tomawis, Acmad
51. Ungab, Isidro
52. Go, Arnulfo
53. Magsaysay, Eulogio
54. Sacdalan, Jesus
55. Malapitan, Oscar
56. Sakaluran, Raden
57. Alvarez, Mercedes
58. Benitez, Alfred
59. Ferriol, Abigail Faye
60. Treñas, Jerry
61. Sarmiento, Mel Senen
62. Joson, Josefina
63. Fuentebella, Arnulfo
64. Lapus, Jesi
65. Olivarez, Edwin
66. Gomez, Lucy
67. Lopez, Carlo
68. Mendoza, Joselito
69. Cerafica, Arnel
70. Climaco, Maria Isabelle
71. Robes, Arturo
72. Relampagos, Rene
73. Apacible, Tomas
74. Miraflores, Florencio
75. Haresco, Teodorico
76. Fortuno, Salvio
77. Paras, Jesus
78. Agyao, Manuel
79. Acop, Romeo
80. San Luis, Edgar
81. Maliksi, Erineo
82. Loyola, Roy
83. Palmones, Angelo
84. Almonte, Jorge
85. Javier, Paolo
86. Ocampos, Loreto Leo
87. Lico, Isidro
88. Celeste, Jesus
89. Ping-ay, Jose
90. Singson, Ryan Luis
91. Payuyo, Ponciano
92. Belmonte, Vicente
93. Bulut-Begtang, Eleanor
94. Cosalan, Ronald
95. Collantes, Nelson
96. Quimbo, Romero
97. Vergara, Bernardo
98. Gonzalez, Fernando
99. Arquiza, Godofredo
100. Lagdameo, Antonio
101. Ferrer, Antonio
102. Quisumbing, Gabriel
103. Asilo, Benjamin
104. Alfonso, Baby Aline
105. Arnaiz, George
106. Ting, Randolph
107. Teves, Henry
108. Daza, Raul
109. Violago, Joseph
110. Villarica, Linabelle Ruth
111. Chipeco, Justin
112. Batocabe, Rodel
113. Garbin, Alfredo Jr.
114. Limkaichong, Jocelyn
115. Madrona, Eleandro
116. Sarmiento, Cesar
117. Kho, David
118. Ortega, Francisco Emmanuel III
119. Montejo, Neil
120. Estrella, Robert
121. Garcia, Albert
122. Aggabao, Giorgidi
123. Abayon, Daryl Grace
124. Puno, Roberto
125. Barzaga, Elpidio
126. Eriguel, Eufranio
127. Velarde, Mariano Michael
128. Tieng, Irwin
129. Piamonte, Mariano Jr.
130. Pancho, Pedro
131. Plaza, Maria Valentina
132. Salvacion, Andres
133. Emano, Yevgeny
134. Dayanghirang, Nelson
135. Mendoza, Raymond
136. Biron, Ferjenel
137. Enverga, Mark
138. Cabaluna, Salvador III
139. Mercado, Homer
140. Zubiri, Jose III
141. Antonio, Patricio
142. Cua, Dakila
143. Velasco, Lord Allan Jay
144. Acharon, Pedro Jr.
145. Evardone, Ben
146. Abad, Henedina
147. De Jesus, Emerenciana
148. Palatino, Raymond
149. Tinio, Antonio
150. Briones, Nicanor
151. Colmenares, Neri Javier
152. Casiño, Teodoro
153. Cajayon, Mary Mitzi
154. Lopez, Carol Jayne
155. Banal, Jorge
156. Alcala, Irvin
157. Benaldo, Benjo
158. Cabilao Yambao, Jonathan
159. Tañada, Lorenzo III
160. Unabio, Peter
161. Paez, Cresente
162. Bataoil, Leopoldo
163. Bagatsing, Amado
164. Ledesma, Julio
165. Sema, Bai Sandra
166. Amatong, Rommel
167. Garin, Sharon
168. Crisologo, Vincent
169. Umali, Czarina
170. Dy, Napoleon
171. Rivera, Michael
172. Belmonte, Feliciano
173. Nava, Joaquin Carlos
174. Ejercito, Joseph Victor
175. Jaafar, Nur
176. Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn
177. Del Mar, Rachel
178. Ponce Enrile, Juan Jr.
179. Golez, Anthony
180. Mariano, Rafael
181. Unico, Renato Jr.
182. Bonoan, Trisha
183. Bautista, Franklin
184. Salimbangon, Benhur
185. Durano, Ramon VI
186. Cruz-Gonzales, Cinchona
187. Tugna, Sherwin
188. Angara, Juan Edgardo (signed the complaint but said he abstained because his father, Senator Edgardo Angara, will be a judge in the impeachment court)

source:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/13/list-188-congressmen-who-signed-corona-impeachment-case-195573

Lower House Impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona, Senate Trial Soon

CJ Renato Corona Impeachment

Chief Justice Corona's close ties with former President Gloria Arroyo may cause his removal as the chief of the Supreme Court. in a lightning move by majority members of the House of Representatives, the impeachment complaint was agreed and will be forwarded to the Senate for the next stage in the impeachment process. Although the hearing in the Senate will commence next year because they are already on a holiday break said Senate President Franklin Drilon.

188 of the 284 Congressmen voted to put the Chief Justice on trial. Opposition lawmakers tried to block the impeachment but they don't have the numbers. Congressman Edcel Lagman said that it was the mother of all blackmails citing that there are a lot of Congressmen who were coerced to sign the impeachment.

There were 8 complaints filed against Chief Justice Renato Corona. The grounds for the impeachment are as follows:

- midnight appointee of former President Arroyo and showed partiality in case where Arroyo is involved
- the CJ's approval of Supreme court ruling giving a temporary restraining order on the watch list order imposed by the Department of Justice.
- failed to account for the judiciary development fund and special allowance for the judiciary.
- issuing a "status quo ante" against the House of Representatives when former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was being impeached.
- ruling of the supreme court in the creation of 6 cities and the promotion of Dinagat island into a province.
- creating a committee to investigate a Supreme Court justice and exonerate him of any liability.
- the Chief Justice failed to disclose his statement of assets and liabilities (SAL)

According to the lawmakers who initiated the complaint together with other complainants which include a former lawmaker, a whistle blower and anti-Arroyo group, Chief Justice Renato Corona is not a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence. thus should be impeached.

If you want to read the summary of the impeachment complaint against Chief Justine Renato Corona, below is the link:


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/12/12/11/summary-impeachment-complaint-vs-cj-corona

2013 Senatoriables Latest Survey by Pulse Asia

Top Senatoriable 2013 Elections

Based on the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia, incumbent senators enjoys the lead in the 2013 Philippine Senatorial elections. On top of the list is Senator Chiz Escudero followed by Senator Loren Legarda.

Below is the list of senatoriables for 2013 with their corresponding ranks.

1. Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero (65.6 percent)
2. Sen. Lorna Regina Legarda (58.9 percent)
3. Former Sen/Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II (43.0 percent)
4. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (40.3 percent)
5. Former Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. (34.8 percent), may land fourth to eighth places
6. San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito (30.4 percent)
7. Sen. Gregorio Honasan II (29.6 percent)
8. Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (29.5 percent)
9. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (29.4 percent)
10. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (29.4 percent)
11. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (28.7 percent)
12. Former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri (26.9 percent)
13. Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (24.3 percent)
14. Former Sen. Ana Consuelo Madrigal (24.0 percent)
15. Former Sen. Richard Gordon (22.1 percent).


Pulse Asia conducted the survey from November 10 to 23, using face-to-face interviews with a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. The survey also showed that 47 percent of Filipinos already has a complete slate for Senators for the May 2013 elections.

“Even though there are still 18 months to go before the next senatorial elections, public interest in the electoral exercise is already apparent, with Filipinos naming a mean of 9 and a median of 11 of their preferred senatorial candidates (out of a maximum of 12) for May 2013,” said Pulse Asia.

Philippines 4th in the World's Worst Countries for Business

Doing Business in the Philippines

Though this is not new to most Filipinos, the report of the World Bank should serve as a wake up call for the government to look into the existing laws and regulations of government agencies and local government units (LGU's). This might be one of the major factor why many foreign investors shun doing business in the Philippines despite the effort of the Aquino government.

The World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" study includes 183 countries. In the CNBC report, they come up with the 10 Most Worst countries for doing business. The countries were ranked based on a lot of factors such as ease of starting a business, paying taxes, getting construction permits, investor protection laws, and other factors.

The world's worst countries to do business with also included some economic superpowers. Below are the ranking from the countries included in the top 10.

1. Venezuela
2. Ukraine
3. Algeria
4. Philippines
5. Nigeria
6. India
7. Indonesia
8. Brazil
9. Russia
10. Argentina



Reasons why the Philippines is included in the Top 10 of the World's Worst Countries to do Business and why we are on the top in the south East Asia. Qoutes from the CNBC report.

Philippines

2010 GDP: $199.6 billion
2010 FDI: $1.7 billion

The Philippines is the lowest ranked Asian country on the list of the most difficult places to do business in. It attracted just 2.5 percent of the $76.5 billion of foreign direct investment that flowed to the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2010.

Despite having massive untapped mineral wealth, a key geographical location between Southeast and North Asia and a large, growing English-speaking population, the country has fallen behind its neighbors in economic growth.

Foreign businesses are wary of the Philippine's unstable legal system, violence, and bureaucracy. Its ease of doing business ranking from the World Bank fell a further two spots this year from 2010. The country also ranks among the lowest when it comes to starting a business, and resolving insolvency, with the latter taking more than five and half years, compared with an average one year and seven months in OECD countries.

Last month, Philippine President Benigno Aquino made trips to the U.S., China, and Japan to push for investments, as well as to send a message that things are changing in the country, after two previous administrations were dogged by corruption allegations. Aquino's trip to China resulted in $7 billion to $9 billion of potential investments.

The Philippines also jumped 10 places to 75th in the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index this year.

Philippine lawmakers should take action on this. They could help, by proposing new legislations that would help new investors, filipinos or foreign businessmen. Instead of proposing laws that would change the names of public places, such as naming EDSA to former President Corazon Aquino, or congressional investigations that are only used for personal gains, look at the deeper problems of the Philippine economy.

The government's effort to go after corrupt officials is just the tip of the iceberg. There are still so many things that they must do to improve the business climate in the Philippines.