Saturday, October 13, 2012

Donaire Jr, Nishioka ready for Sunday’s fight



MANILA, Philippines — Nonito Donaire Jr. had no problem making the weight in the routine weigh-in Friday (Saturday Morning in Manila) for his bout against Toshiaki Nishioka in California.
Donaire (29-1, 18 KOs) tipped in the scales at 121.6 pounds, just a hair lighter than Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs), who came in at 121.8.
The “Filipino Flash” stakes his WBO/IBA superbantamweight crowns against Japan’s Nishioka (Sunday in Manila) before an expected packed crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson.
Meanwhile, Brandon “Bambam” Rios came in at 140 pounds while “Mile High” Mike Alvardo registered a weight of 139.8 in the weigh-in of the co-feature bout.
Both undefeated, Rios and Alvarado clash for the vacant WBO Latino light welterweight and WBO light welterweight titles on Saturday as a prelude to Donaire-Nishioka fight.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Ateneo Blue Eagles get the Championship Trophy; Salva the MVP


PINOY GANGNAM STYLE - Eric Tai from "It's Showtime"


Ateneo Blue Eagles is the UAAP Season 75 Champions

The Ateneo Blue Eagles capped with euphoria a season filled with drama.
Amid a familiar boisterous sea of blue, Ateneo overcame a gritty University of Santo Tomas squad with a 65-62 Game 2 victory yesterday to capture a historic fifth straight UAAP men’s basketball championship.
The Ateneo veterans starred in one strong final push as the Tigers fumbled with three crucial turnovers in the last 96 seconds and allowed the Blue Eagles to seal a 2-0 sweep of the best-of-three series in front of an electric crowd of 20,186 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I don’t know when it will, but it’s something that I’m really proud of,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “I’m proud of the players, they’re the ones who worked really hard.”
With their latest conquest, the Blue Eagles earned a spot in league history as the second longest reigning basketball team.
For 40 years, no other team had been this dominant since University of the East strung up a remarkable seven straight championships from 1965 to 1971.
“Big players come in big games,” said Black, who called the shots for one last time for the Eagles before heading back to the pro league next week. “But it’s also our defense that really stood out in this game.”
Kiefer Ravena pumped in 22 points capped by a jumper that gave the Blue Eagles a 65-59 buffer with 30.4 seconds left.
“UST really gave us a hard time, but we stuck together as a team. We just wanted to end it,” said Ravena, who also nailed a dagger shot in the dying moments of Game 1.
Greg Slaughter came through the stretch, burying eight of his 15 points in the final quarter while Juami Tiongson had all of his 10 points in the second half on top of a key steal in the Tigers’ final possession.
Finals MVP Nico Salva also chipped in eight points and six rebounds after starring with a career-high 30 points in the Blue Eagles’ 83-78 Game 1 triumph last Saturday.
“I think this one is the sweetest,” said Salva, who figured in all of the Blue Eagles’ five-year title romp. “There’s nothing like leaving your school with a win. I never imagined winning five championships in five years with Ateneo.”
One of the season’s dramas also came to an end as UST coach Pido Jarencio hugged Black at the buzzer following their heated word war the past days.
“I just congratulated him and told him it was a good game,” said Jarencio. “Whatever that was said, in the end it’s just basketball. But I’m proud of my team and thankful to the UST community for their support. It was just the breaks of the game. Hats off to coach Norman.”
Jeric Fortuna paced the Tigers with 20 points, the last on a triple with 21 seconds left that gave the Tigers a final ray of hope.
Earlier, Far Eastern University also bagged a title double as the Lady Tamaraws completed a historic season sweep while the Baby Tams clinched their first juniors crown in 25 years.
The Lady Tamaraws slipped past La Salle, 70-66, in Game 2 of the women’s Finals to become the first team to complete a 16-0 season since 1994, when the league adopted the Final Four format.
Camille Sambile (16 points and 16 rebounds) and Allana Lim (15 and 12) delivered double-double efforts to power the Lady Tamaraws to back-to-back titles.
“One at a time, that’s what we were thinking,” said Finals MVP Soc Borja, who starred with 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block. “We never throught that it’s going to be 16-0.”
The Baby Tamaraws outlasted a pesky National University side in a thrilling triple overtime, 113-109, for a 2-0 junior series sweep.
Jerie Pingoy and Roger Domingo teamed up for all of the Baby Tams’ 13 points in the third extra period as the Baby Tams dethroned the Bullpups.
Pingoy, this season’s back-to-back MVP, virtually figured in every clutch situation before finishing with a game-high 32 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The scores:
First Game (Women)
FEU 70—Sambile 16, Lim 15, Borja 14, Soriano 12, Siat 4, Columna 3, Valenzona 2, Gesalan 2, Tanaman 2.
LA SALLE 66—Piatos 16, Abaca 12, Wilson 10, Ong 9, Viterbo 6, Santos 6, Corcuera 4, Garcia 3, Ong 0, Melendres 0.
Quarters: 16-21, 33-33, 55-49, 70-66
Second Game (Jrs)
FEU 113—Pingoy 32, R. Domingo 23, Aguilon 15, Delfinado 14, J. Domingo 11, Lee Yu 9, Lumba 6, Completo 3, You 0, Magbuhos 0, Hassan 0, Escoto 0.
NU 109—Atangan 26, Cani 19, Biteng 17, Cauilan 13, Morido 10, Battad 9, Canynay 7, Lopena 3, Busa 3, Dela Cruz 2, Mosqueda 0, Lapiz 0, Castillo 0, Banawan 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 46-41, 59-59, 78-78 (reg), 89-89 (1OT), 100-100 (2OT), 113-109 (3OT)
Third Game (Srs)
ATENEO 65—Ravena 22, Slaughter 15, Tiongson 10, Salva 8, Chua 6, Gonzaga 3, Sumalinog 1, Golla 0, Elorde 0, Buenafe 0.
UST 62—Fortuna 20, Teng 9, Lo 8, Abdul 8, Ferrer 7, Bautista 6, Mariano 4, Vigil 0, Pe 0, Afuang 0.
Quarters: 13-14, 29-29, 47-46, 65-62

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Cagayan de Oro hotel blast kills 1


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines–An improvised explosive device went off near the city’s Cogon area at around 1:50 a.m. Thursday, killing two people and wounding two officers.
Investigators said the bomb, which was left beside the Maxandrea Hotel along JR Borja Street, was placed inside a plastic.
Cagayan de Oro City police chief Gerardo Rosales says no motive or suspects have been identified in the blast Thursday morning.
One bystander was killed on the spot and another died in the hospital. No guest or hotel staff was hurt.
Rosales says two officers who responded to a call that several unidentified men were acting suspiciously saw a small metal container near the hotel and called a bomb squad.
The officers were wounded when the device, which was packed with nails, exploded as they backed away from it.
Victoriano del Rosario, a security guard in one of the buildings in front of the hotel, first noticed the plastic bag around 1 a.m. and alerted the security guards of the hotel and in a nearby lodge.
“At first, we thought it was a pair of shoes but when we poked inside, we saw a ‘kaldero’ (casserole) and a cellphone inside.  It looked like an explosive device to us so we called up the police,” he said.
When the explosive device went off, an unidentified male bystander, who was about 20 meters away from the device, was killed.  Police Officer 1 Dexter Dano was hit by a shrapnel on the leg.
As of this posting, members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were still gathering fragments of the device.  Authorities have yet to find a “trigger device” to determine if it was remotely activated or not.
Criminal gangs as well as Muslim and communist rebels operate in the restive southern region.

UST coach Pido Jarencio, nagbitiw ng maanghang na salita matapos UAAP Finals Game 1


13 Party Lists disqualified by Comelec


Championship belt of boxer Denver Cuello was returned


MMA fighter proudly carries Philippine flag


MANILA, Philippines – An unbeaten Pinoy fighter is now trying to make his mark in the Asian mixed martial arts (MMA) scene.
Mark “Mugen” Striegl has Filipino roots and he’s extremely proud of it.
The 24-year-old Filipino-American has been waving the Philippine flag before and after his fights in a proud display of patriotism.
“As for carrying the Philippine flag, Filipinos are very proud people and we are very passionate people. I am proud of my heritage and proud to be living in Baguio now. Fighting in Manila is a dream of mine,” Striegl told Loqal.ph.
Striegl remains undefeated in 11 fights. His latest victory was against Guam-based Robert Wusstig. He forcibly submitted Wusstig in the recent Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) 33.
“I grew up in Tokyo because my parents are based there as teachers. My mother is from Calapan in Oriental Mindoro and my father is from New York. I decided to go back in the Philippines to train in Baguio and I consider the Philippines my country,” he said.
The 5’8” fighter idolizes fellow Filipino-American Brandon Vera and Mark Muñoz who both fight in the Ultimate fighting Championship (UFC).
Striegl said he plans to remain fighting as long as he can.
“As long as my body holds up, I am healthy and as long as I enjoy competing, I’ll keep fighting.”

Liam Neeson says Mayweather scared of Pacquiao


MANILA – Hollywood actor Liam Neeson believes that the only thing holding back the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mega fight is Floyd’s unwillingness to face the Filipino boxing superstar. 
In an interview with ESPN, the Oscar-nominated actor admitted being one of the fans waiting for the super fight to take place.
“I would pay any amount of money to be at that fight,” said Neeson, who is known for his performances in Hollywood films like Taken, Les Misérables, Clash of the Titans and The A-Team.
Neeson used to box in the amateur ranks during his teens in his native Ireland.
“I was OK, I was competent. I was a jabber, I had a good jab. I had about 40 fights and I won about maybe 30,” he said.
The now 60-year-old actor branded Pacquiao as one of today’s best boxers.
He even picked the Filipino to win over Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8. He said the fighting congressman has the attributes of a great champion.  
“Pacquiao is still amazing. He's getting a little bit older, but in the championship rounds, from 9 to 12, he just gets stronger and stronger and stronger,” said Neeson.
“That's the sign of a great champion.”
Neeson thinks Mayweather is a great fighter, too.
But the downside with Mayweather, he said, is the American boxer’s refusal to fight Pacquiao.
“I think he's scared of Pacquaio… I don't mean he is scared, like terrified of his life, but I think he thinks he can see in Pacquiao someone that could beat him.”

Monday, October 8, 2012

'Jose Rizal' movie director Marilou Diaz-Abaya dies


MANILA - Multi-awarded director Marilou Diaz-Abaya has passed away.
Abaya, who was battling breast cancer, died at the hospital at 6:45 in the evening.
Some of her most well-known works include "Tanikala," "Muro-ami," and the "Jose Rizal" biopic.
Her final film was the religious family drama "Ikaw ang Pag-ibig" in 2011, which commemorated the 300th anniversary of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Kuwaiti police rapes, stabs Pinay



KUWAIT CITY - A Filipina working at a dress shop in Kuwait almost died after she was allegedly raped and stabbed several times on the neck and back by a Kuwaiti traffic policeman on October 1 inside a police patrol car.
Marissa (not her real name), 27, a native of T’Boli, South Cotabato can barely move from her bed due to back pain. She was deployed to Kuwait on September 12, 2006 to work as a household service eorker for three years and later on at a dress shop in Farwaniya.
“Pumunta ako rito sa Kuwait para magtrabaho para sa kinabukasan ng anak ko at aking pamilya,” shared Marissa, a single mother.
She recounted that on the evening of September 30, she and her female friend came out from a mall. They were inside a cab on their way home to Farwaniya when they were stopped by the suspect who alighted from the police car. Unfortunately, her residence visa just expired four days ago and was still being renewed by her new sponsor.
The suspect let her friend get away as she still had a valid visa while she was taken by the suspect to the police car. He drove her to a dark and deserted place in South Surra where he allegedly raped her.
“Sabi niya sa akin punta ka sa likod, haplusin mo sa akin. Lahat ng gugustuhin niya, sobrang takot ko na talaga, kung anong pinapagawa niya sa akin sinusunod ko na lang. Sinubo lahat…hindi pa siya satisfied sa sarili niya, pati likod ko, pati sa harapan ko inano nya ako. lahat yan siya tapos sinaksak pa dito ko pati likod ko tapos tinadyakan pa ang likod ko ng paa niya,” cried Marissa.
She begged him to stop but he went on and stabbed her several times with a Swiss knife on her neck and back. He then kicked her in the back and left her along the highway.
A police on patrol passing by the area saw her lying unconscious and full of blood. She was taken by an ambulance to the Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital where she was admitted to the intensive care unit for three days.
The suspect was arrested on October 4 and was presented by authorities to her on Sunday for positive identification.
“Na-trauma talaga ako. Nang makita ko siya, tinitigan ko lang siya. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang pagmumukha niya. Tapos, nginitian pa niya ako. Wala talagang konsensya,” sobbed Marissa.
She revealed that one of the female relatives of the suspect visited her on Saturday at the hospital and offered her some money and a job on a condition that she drops the case against the suspect. But Marissa declined and vowed to fight for justice.
“Sana mabitay siya. Kung anuman nararamdaman ko sana mararamdaman niya. Sa sobrang pagtitiis ko. Hindi ko akalain na ganun lang pala ang buhay. Yung dito ko talaga sobrang sakit talaga dito o, ginanun ba talaga ako. Ang alam ko patay na ako kasi wala na talaga ako dito. Kutsilyo na yan lahat lahat dito. Tingnan mo nga iyang leeg ko, ayan tingnan mo ang leeg ko. Salamat sa Diyos at nabuhay ako,” she pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait vowed to pursue the case against the suspect.
“Nakakunsulta na kami ng mga abugado at ang mga abugado naman ay nakatutok din sa kaso, hihinintay lang nila ang special power of attorney para opisyal na sila ang hahawak sa kaso,” disclosed Dalidig Ibrahim Tanandato, Assistance to Nationals Unit Head at the Philippine Embassy.

Philippines is among Southeast Asia's 'New Tigers'


The Philippines' recovery from the Asian financial crisis and its high potential for growth has prodded a business website to name it one of the "New Tigers" in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines, as well as Indonesia, have "come of age" and are "poised to drive future growth and grab more economic power,"Market Watch said.

"In an economically vibrant Southeast Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines stand out as the region's 'New Tigers' with the potential to leave a bigger imprint on global growth for years to come while the developed world struggles with excess debt and traditional regional heavyweights China and India lose momentum,"  it added.

This review of the Philippines is the latest in a string of recent positive assessments and forecasts, most of them noting deep-seated governance reforms and its impact on ease of doing business.

The Philippines and Indonesia's edge over other countries in the region, Market Watch said, include "large and young labor force, an expanding middle class and... elected governments with policies inspiring investor confidence."

Sturdy banks and enough foreign exchange reserves also put the countries at an advantage, it added.

National debt also remains low in the Philippines and Indonesia compared to countries in the West, "leaving both enough room to boost their economies in case of need," the report said.

Market Watch also noted that the two countries' stock markets "are among the world's best performing since the end of 2008."

Marking the two countries' takeoff, Market Watch said, is their leap from borrower to lender status in the International Monetary Fund, with each pledging $1 billion to replenish the multilateral bank's funds.

This, as Market Watch noted that the IMF bailed out the two countries during the Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s.

These developments have not escaped the view of global investors which are now turning their heads toward the Philippines and Indonesia, Market Watch said.

"Both markets have been a popular choice for investors since 2009 and have extended a solid upward run with sharp gains so far this year," it noted.

Market Watch highlighted the Philippines' status as second to Thailand's best-performing stock exchange in Asia so far this year, rising 18 percent. Indonesia's Stock Exchange meanwhile gained 4 percent.

"Signaling the strength of foreign investor interest in both the Philippines and Indonesia, new products have been developed to provide overseas investors with more options to access those markets," it noted.

The two countries are not free from risks, however, with Market Watch noting that challenges include "sustaining political stability, tackling widespread corruption and improving their poor infrastructure."

The Philippines' heavy dependence on remittances from overseas workers may also prove to its disadvantage amid a weak global environment, the report added.

This, even as it echoed forecasts that the services sector and high remittances will drive economic growht in the Philippines this year.

"To sustain its trajectory, the Philippines needs to not only get more value out of existing industries, but also forge new ones," Market Watch said. An expansion in the tourism sector may be the perfect fit, with the report noting that it may "help absorb labor in its swelling population."


For tourism to takeoff, however, Market Watch said the government must address the issue of poor infrastructure.

Aging roads and inadequate airports choke economic development while also discouraging tourism, the report said.

"The problems are curtailing the growth of what many see as the critical next-wave industry," it added.

Aside from tourism, mining could also drive growth for the Philippines, Market Watch said.

"The country is rich in minerals including copper, gold and nickel, but development of the mining industry has been stalled by political resistance and layers of red tape," the report noted.

"Regardless of which industries the Philippines seeks to develop, international backing will be crucial," Market Watch said.
The world-recognized four Asian Tigers are Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Cybercrime law unconstitutional, says Sen. Santiago


MANILA, Philippines—Liking and sharing libelous material on Facebook and retweeting similarly defamatory content on Twitter would make a netizen liable under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago warned on Saturday.
These are some of the punishable acts prescribed by the new law that makes Republic Act No. 10175 violative of the constitutional provision on free speech, said Santiago, a former trial court judge and magistrate-in-waiting to the International Court of Justice.
In addition, the law’s provisions are also “overbroad” and “vague,” which makes it unconstitutional, she said.
For these reasons, Santiago predicted the Supreme Court would strike down the cybercrime law as unconstitutional.
“Otherwise, it will be a black, black day for freedom of speech,” Santiago said in a speech on Saturday before business and economics students at Adamson University.
For example, the senator said, Section 5 cites aiding and abetting cybercrimes as one of the acts punishable under the new law. Ordinary Facebook and Twitter activities such as liking, sharing and retweeting could make one accountable under the law, she said.
“Simply repeating things, you made a comment, you liked, you shared, you’re already guilty, because you’re aiding and abetting. You can interpret it that way. That’s why I’m saying it is too vague,” Santiago told her audience.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, the sponsor and one of the authors of the bill in the Senate, has sought to dismiss such fears by saying that mere liking in Facebook doesn’t make one an author of material deemed libelous.
As to sharing, Angara said, conspiracy between the author and the one that shared should be established.
This is not something that’s easy to do, he said.
According to Santiago, the constitutional provision on free speech “sounds absolute” and thus, the cybercrime law begins with a “presumption of unconstitutionality.”
The burden of proof is on those that support the law to prove that it is constitutional, the senator said.
“[In] addition, the law is unconstitutional because it uses language that is overbroad and too vague,” she said.
She said the overbroad doctrine holds that if a law is broadly written, it deters free expression.
She expects the Supreme Court to strike down the new law “because of its chilling effect,” such that “you almost don’t want to use your computer for fear of becoming liable”.
According to Santiago, the vagueness doctrine refers to a law that provides a punishment without specifying what conduct is punishable. “[Therefore], the law is void because it violates due process,” she said.
Santiago said the overbroad and vague provisions of the Cybercrime Act are those on online libel, on aiding and abetting cybercrimes, on the adoption of the whole Revised Penal Code with punishments that are a degree higher, on making cybercrimes punishable also under the Penal Code, and on the authority of the Department of Justice to take down violative websites.
Preventing cybercrime is a necessity, however, the senator said.

Apple marks 1st anniversary of Steve Jobs death

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple paid tribute Friday to Steve Jobs a year after his death, with a video and homage to the man who co-founded and propelled the iconic technology firm into the world’s biggest company.

“Steve’s passing one year ago was a sad and difficult time for all of us,” Jobs’s successor as chief executive, Tim Cook, said in a message on the company website.
“I hope that today everyone will reflect on his extraordinary life and the many ways he made the world a better place.”
Apple posted a two-minute video with snippets of Jobs and the various products he introduced, from the early Apple computers to the iPhone.
Jobs died Oct. 5, 2011 at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.
“One of the greatest gifts Steve gave to the world was Apple,” Cook said. “No company has ever inspired such creativity or set such high standards for itself. Our values originated from Steve and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. We share the great privilege and responsibility of carrying his legacy into the future.”
Cook added: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we are doing, delivering products that our customers love and dreaming up new ones that will delight them down the road. It’s a wonderful tribute to Steve’s memory and everything he stood for.”
Jobs was just 21 when he founded Apple Computer in 1976 with his 26-year-old friend Steve Wozniak in his family garage.
From such humble beginnings the company grew into the world’s most valuable firm, with a market value of some $625 billion.
Jobs led the drive for Apple to produce the iPod, iPhone and iPad, and created iTunes, which became one of the world’s biggest e-commerce platforms and a leader vendor of music, apps and other content.
Under Jobs, Apple introduced its first computers and then the Macintosh, which became wildly popular in the 1980s. But he left Apple in 1985 after an internal power struggle and started NeXT Computer company, aimed at businesses.
He then co-founded Pixar animated studios in 1986 from a former computer graphics unit he bought from movie industry titan George Lucas. The studio produced acclaimed films like “Toy Story.”
Jobs reconciled with Apple in 1996 with the company buying NeXT for $429 million and Jobs ascending once again to the Apple throne.
Jobs revamped the Macintosh line, launching a “post-PC era” in which personal computers gave way to smart mobile gadgets.

24 ORAS Weekend News - October 7, 2012

Donaire wants swift, vicious end this time against Nishioka


He doesn’t guarantee a knockout, but Nonito Donaire Jr. promised to follow a fight plan that could result in an explosive, abrupt end.
With his usual confidence and careful choice of words, Donaire bared the strategy he will use against Japanese veteran Toshiaki Nishioka in their Oct. 13 WBO-IBF super bantamweight championship bout at Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
“When (the knockout) comes, it comes,” Donaire said at a press conference. “But the proper game plan will show my power, which is what I was known for—lightning-fast counters that were knocking people out because they never saw it coming.
“No matter how tough you are, if you don’t see where it’s coming from, you don’t expect it and it will knock you down.”’
The 29-year-old Donaire, born in Gen. Santos City but migrated to the United States at age 11, said he’s not taking Nishioka—who will be a moving, thinking opponent—lightly.
“I think I’m a lot faster than him,” said Donaire in another interview posted on boxing.com. “But like I said before, speed can be neutralized by perfect timing.”
His trainer Robert Garcia said Donaire is 100-percent ready for his 36-year-old foe but remained cautious about giving a bold prediction.
“I am not pushing or asking for the knockout, but in training he has been doing the right thing,” said Garcia. “If he performs like he did in training I will be happy with him.
“It won’t be easy against Nishioka, but at the beginning of training camp Nonito told me he wanted to come in and do it the way he used to do it— picking them apart little by little then knocking them out,” added Garcia who will be at the corner along with conditioning coach Mike Bazzel.
Garcia cited Donaire’s fitness and praised the fighter’s decision to drop his much criticized one-punch salvos.

Philippines lost P101.82 Billion under Arroyo administration


MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines lost P101.82 billion through misuse of state funds and assets during the latter years of graft-tainted ex-president Gloria Arroyo’s rule, government auditors said Saturday.
The Commission on Audit highlighted anomalies that mostly occurred in the 2007-2009 period in its investigation of more than 61,000 government agencies last year.
“Most audit findings categorically indicate pecuniary loss on the part of the government, as a result of violations of law, rules and regulations,” said the report, first posted on its website Saturday.
More than 4,000 cases of unauthorized expenses, unaccounted for cash advances, uncollected duties, fictitious claims, missing assets, or abandoned projects, cost the government P101.82 billion ($2.46 billion), it said.
The total is equivalent to 5.6 percent of the country’s budget this year.
Its conditional cash transfer program, where poor families get monthly stipends in exchange for keeping their children in school, could not account for P3.77 billion.
Two state banks lent large sums unsecured by hard collateral, while Manila airport left 21 abandoned aircraft parked in an area exposed to natural elements, leading to their deterioration, despite being given funding to house them.
Among the biggest items were P1.862 billion in cash advances to two government treasurers in the impoverished province of Maguindanao and P1.123 billion in payments to “spurious” suppliers to a Muslim self-rule area.
Chief state auditor Grace Tan said in a letter sent to Manila newspapers Saturday that the audit covered items mostly relating to accounts prior to 2010, when Aquino was elected to office on an anti-corruption platform.
“Pecuniary loss does not necessarily result from graft, and it is only the courts that can make judgement of graft,” Tan said.
Aquino has asked a special anti-graft prosecutor to file criminal charges against people deemed responsible for 744 of the cases, the auditors said.
The other cases are under investigation.
Arroyo was arrested and detained at a military hospital in Manila on Thursday after allegedly diverting P366 million in state lottery funds meant for charity programs into her election campaign kitty.
After being president for nearly 10 years, Arroyo was initially charged in November last year with vote fraud for allegedly conspiring to rig the 2007 senatorial elections, but later posted bail.
Her spokesmen did not reply to Agence France-Presse’s requests for comment.
Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters Saturday: “We have not become complacent in our anti-corruption measures.”

Wil Big Time - October 6, 2012 (Saturday) FULL VIDEO

PART 1 of 4

PART 2 of 4

PART 3 of 4

PART 4 of 4


Novak Djokovic wows Beijing with ‘Gangnam Style’ dance



BEIJING—Novak Djokovic delighted fans in Beijing Sunday with a rendition of the famed horse-riding dance from South Korean pop hit “Gangnam Style” after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win his third China Open.
The 25-year-old Serb beat France’s Tsonga in straight sets to win the $2.2 million event and then fulfilled a promise made earlier in the week to copy the moves to the Internet sensation by South Korean rapper Psy.
Djokovic, world number two, looked nervous and reluctant at first following the request by the tournament’s compere, but soon strutted his stuff along with several ball-boys and girls in front of the crowd of around 10,000.
“Nothing was planned,” Djokovic said.
“I was talking to fans who suggested to me to do that dance at the end of the tournament in case I win.
“So I had to hold my promise, and it was fun. I think it was obvious that I was the worst dancer there out of the small group, but it still was quite a lot of fun,” he added.
The video to “Gangnam Style”, featuring Psy’s much-imitated dance, went viral after its July release on YouTube, where it has notched up more than 390 million views.
Almost overnight, Psy was transformed into South Korea’s best-known cultural export, succeeding where the manufactured girl and boy bands of the homegrown “K-pop” phenomenon have failed, by breaking into the US market.
Despite being sung almost entirely in Korean, the song has topped the British charts and reached number two on the US Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Chiz Escudero admits relationship with Heart Evangelista


MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero finally admitted that he is in a relationship with actress Heart Evangelista.
In his last co-hosting stint for ABS-CBN's morning talk show "Kris TV" hosted by Kris Aquino, Escudero opened up about his new love.
"I would like to think so, yes," Escudero told Aquino when asked if Evangelista is his girlfriend.
The senator, who is very private when it comes to his love life, said that he is hoping that he and Evangelista could also celebrate "anniversaries."
Escudero's children, who were with him on his last day on the show, also said that they love Evangelista.
Evangelista and Escudero have been spotted together several times after the actress ended her relationship with Japanese-Brazilian model Daniel Matsunaga.
Leaving 'KrisTV'
Escudero bade goodbye to the show on Friday, and said he hopes that he could return next year.
Aquino said that she expects the senator to return to her show on June 2013, after the mid-term elections.
"Today is the birthday celebration and pansamantalang farewell episode kasi inaasahan ko after June 30 ay babalik ka," Aquino told Escudero, who replied: "Kung tatanggapin mo ako."

X Factor Philippines Grand Finals (Video)

KZ Tandingan is the 1st ‘X Factor Philippines’ grand winner


MANILA, Philippines—KZ Tandingan, a 20-year-old band vocalist from Digos City, Davao del Sur, burst into uncontrollable sobs after being declared grand winner of “The X Factor Philippines” Sunday night at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Parañaque City.
With her superb rendition of The Carpenters’ “Superstar” during the performance night last Saturday, the raspy-voiced singer won by a landslide, garnering 55.45 percent of the total text and online votes. She beat 19-year-old balladeer Gabriel Maturan and the all-male vocal harmony group Daddy’s Home, with 32.33 and 12.90 percent, respectively.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, KZ said that wining the reality talent search came as a complete surprise. “I wanted to win badly, but I didn’t expect anything. You can be the best singer, but if it’s not meant for you, then you can’t do anything about it. I just prayed and surrendered everything to God,” she said.
KZ, who almost lost her voice due to throat polyps during her high school days, added that her win proves that you don’t have to be a “biritera” to succeed in the music biz.
After sharing the winning moment with her family on stage, the singing champ fought back tears as she tried to give an encore of her winning piece.
Meanwhile, KZ’s mentor and X Factor judge Charice said she was overwhelmed by her student’s victory. “We were so shocked because we’re already conditioning ourselves for a second place finish,” she told the Inquirer. “I feel really proud. She’s such a smart performer.”
As the first winner of the local franchise of “X Factor,” KZ was handed a check worth P4 million and a recording contract with Star Music. Second placer Gabriel received P150,000, while Daddy’s Home won P50,000.
Asked what she’ll do with the prize money, KZ said she’ll donate P1 million to her local church in Digos City, which is in dire need of repairs.
The emotional results night reunited the three grand finalists with the rest of this season’s eliminated contenders. They all shared the stage with some of the most respected performers in the entertainment industry like Jed Madela, Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, Jovit Baldivino, April Boy Regino, as well as singer-comics Pooh and K Brosas.
The “X Factor” judges and mentors Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Pilita Corrales and Charice also took the stage.
The competition was hosted by KC Concepcion.

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