For the third time, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was a no-show at the Department of Justice (DOJ) hearing on the plunder charges lodged against her in connection with the alleged misuse of welfare funds meant for migrant workers during her administration.
Arroyo, incumbent congresswoman of Pampanga’s second district, was supposed to swear and subscribe to the authenticity of her counter-affidavit, but could not do so because, like in the past two hearings, she was abroad.
The former President was supposed to return to the country last week, but this was deferred, according to her lawyer, Benjamin Santos.
“She was supposed to have returned in the middle of last week, but she had other matters to attend to. It is not our intention to delay the proceedings," Santos told the panel of prosecutors.
Santos, then, asked the prosecutors to give Arroyo more time to file her counter-affidavit.
“We would like to assure the honorable hearing panel that she’ll be coming within this week and therefore, as soon as she arrives, we are going to have her sign before the panel or a representative that a panel will be designating, that she will swear to her counter-affidavit," he said.
Interviewed by reporters, Santos said that the plunder charges against Arroyo should be dismissed as they were “absolutely baseless."
“There is absolutely no basis for the charges, absolutely none," he said.
Read the rest of the story at GMA-NEWS
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Rains Continues as Falcon Leaves The Philippines
After dumping rains on Metro Manila and other parts of the country in past days, tropical storm “Falcon" (Meari) left Philippine territory early Saturday toward Japan.
But the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned rains brought by the southwest monsoon will still fall over Metro Manila.
“Nasa labas na ito [Falcon] ng Philippine area of responsibility, pero magdala pa rin kayo ng payong at panangga sa ulan," PAGASA forecaster Ben Oris said in an interview on dzBB radio Saturday.
He also said Falcon intensified slightly and accelerated further as it continued to move away from Philippine territory.
PAGASA also hinted there may be no cyclone expected in the next few days.
"No tropical cyclone is expected to affect the [Philippine area of responsibility] in a week but a low-pressure area is expected," it said.
PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory said that as of 4 a.m., Falcon was 590 km northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
It was moving north-northwest at 24 kph and was expected to be 680 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 320 km west-northwest of Okinawa, Japan.
“[Falcon] will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring occasional rains over Luzon particularly over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon," PAGASA said.
Also, it said strong to gale force winds are expected to affect the Western and of Visayas and the Eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
“Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said.
Read more @ GMANews.TV
But the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned rains brought by the southwest monsoon will still fall over Metro Manila.
“Nasa labas na ito [Falcon] ng Philippine area of responsibility, pero magdala pa rin kayo ng payong at panangga sa ulan," PAGASA forecaster Ben Oris said in an interview on dzBB radio Saturday.
He also said Falcon intensified slightly and accelerated further as it continued to move away from Philippine territory.
PAGASA also hinted there may be no cyclone expected in the next few days.
"No tropical cyclone is expected to affect the [Philippine area of responsibility] in a week but a low-pressure area is expected," it said.
PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory said that as of 4 a.m., Falcon was 590 km northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
It was moving north-northwest at 24 kph and was expected to be 680 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 320 km west-northwest of Okinawa, Japan.
“[Falcon] will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring occasional rains over Luzon particularly over the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon," PAGASA said.
Also, it said strong to gale force winds are expected to affect the Western and of Visayas and the Eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
“Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said.
Read more @ GMANews.TV
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