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Author: Ellen

Finally, E.O on communications group released

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Finally, Executive Order No. 4 was released yesterday “reorganizing and renaming the office of the press secretary as the presidential communications operations office; creating the presidential communications development and strategic planning office; and for other purposes.”

Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma heads the Presidential Communications Operations (PCO).

Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang is Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary (PCDSP). His deputy is Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III.

Both Coloma and Carandang hold cabinet rank and they will each have separate budgets. They will be working hand-in-hand with the Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

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Lucille Ortile and the Acuzar connection

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Why is Lucille Ortile, once rumored to be former Vice President Noli de Castro’s special someone, in Malacañang as chief of staff of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa?

In February 2008, when De Castro was still being considered as a presidential candidate for the 2010 elections, an item went around the internet and text about a P200 million house at 2256 Paraiso st, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City reportedly belonging to somebody special to De Castro. The name “Lucille Ortile” was mentioned.

De Castro vehemently denied having anything to do with the Dasmariñas house. Friends who know Ortile attest to her innocence and falsity of that rumor.

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Weder-weder lang

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2010

Hindi sang-ayon ang grupo ng mga scientists,Agham (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) sa pagsibak kay Dr. Prisco Nilo, director ng Pag-asa.

Sabi ng Agham dapat ay ipinaliwanag kay Pangulong Aquino na tingnan ang kaso ng pagkamali ng weather forecast sa bagyong “Basyang” sa dalawang punto.

Dapat, maintindihan kung ano ang bagyo. Iyon ay lakas ng kalikasan. Nagbibigay ang Pagasa ng kanilang assessment sa pagkilos ng bagyo tuwing anim na oras. Ang pagiging eksakto ng pagbasa ng bagyo ay depende sa kakayahan ng instrument na gamit.

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Kawawang hepe ng Pag-asa

Published by Ellen on August 7, 2010

Naawa ako kay Prisco Nilo, ang sinibak ni Pangulong Aquino na hepe ng Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric and Astronomical Services Administration).

Sinibak ni Pangulong Aquino si Prisco Nilo, hepe ng Pagasa dahil naka strike two na daw na palpak sa weather forecast.

Maganda ang kampanya ni Aquino na pagwawalis ng mga korap sa pamahalaan. Kung isasama niya ang mga incompetent, yung mga hindi napapakinabangan ang serbisyo, maganda rin yun.

Ngunit mali ang kanyang sinibak. Hindi dapat si Nilo. Dapat inalam n Aquino muna ang rason bakit hindi makabasa ng eksakto ng mga taga-Pagasa ang mga bagyo. Hindi kasalanan lang yan ni Nilo.

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‘Forsaken Lives”

Published by Ellen on August 5, 2010

I can just imagine the horrified reaction of the Catholic priests and Manangs if they were at last Tuesday’s Bulung-Pulungan at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

Guests were Melissa Uppreti, senior regional manager and legal adviser for Asia of the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights and Dr. Florence Tadiar of the Institute of Social Studies and Action. The topic was “Forsaken Lives,” a study conducted by CRR in the Philippines on the impact of the abortion ban.

As well all know, abortion is a crime under the Revised Penal Code. There are exceptions. But as the study showed, “there is a lack of clarity regarding the circumstances under which an abortion may be legally performed or be considered legally justifiable.”

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On the eve of US envoy’s visit, a bomb explodes in Zamboanga

Published by Ellen on August 5, 2010

From GMA News:

Sulu governor hurt in Zamboanga airport blast

One person was killed Thursday while several others, including the governor of a southern Philippine province, were wounded when a bomb exploded at the arrival area of the Zamboanga International Airport.

Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan was among the 12 hurt in the explosion, according to a report in GMA News’ “24 Oras.”

The explosion occurred a day before US Ambassador Harry Thomas’ visit to the city for “a series of activities,” according to Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Thomas on Thursday night announced that he is postponing his scheduled visit.

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Manny Pangilinan buys into Inquirer

Published by Ellen on August 5, 2010

Pangilinan is into real estate development (The Fort), telecommunications, power (Meralco), and what else? He is slowly becoming a force in media, another field of influence.

ABC5 buys 10% stake in PDI

The Philippine Daily Inquirer announces that after two decades of productive partnership with the (Ben) Pangilinan and Garcia families, they have decided to sell their equity in the company.

As a result, Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC), which owns TV5 and other stations, has bought a 10% stake in the Inquirer.

ABC’s purchase of the shares was finalized on Wednesday.

The Inquirer thanks the Pangilinan and Garcia families for helping steady the company’s course through the years toward the fulfillment of its mission and vision.

The newspaper welcomes the entry of ABC, now under the management of Manuel V. Pangilinan.

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Aquino withdraws GMA midnight appointments

Published by Ellen on August 4, 2010

Palace lists 997 midnight appointees

by Regina Bengco
Malaya

President Aquino has ordered the recall, withdrawal and revocation of midnight appointments made by former President Gloria Arroyo for violating the appointments ban in the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code.

Aquino issued Executive Order No. 2 on the midnight appointments last July 30 but it was released only yesterday.

Click here (Official Gazette) for the text of E.O No. 2.

The order defined “midnight appointments” as those made on or after March 11, 2010, including those dated prior to March 11 where the appointee has accepted, taken his oath or assumed public office on or after March 11, except those appointed under exigencies of the service; those made prior to March 11 but which took effect after it; appointments to positions that would be vacant only after March 11, 2010; and appointments and promotions made 45 days before the May 10, 2010 elections in violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Chief presidential legal counsel Edgardo de Mesa said there are 977 suspected midnight appointments so far, excluding those in the judiciary.

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