Friday, January 30, 2009

Oro mayor thanks Sen. Revilla, Camiguin dads for giving aid to flashflood victims

City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula recently thanked Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and the local political leaders of the Province of Camiguin for quickly responding to the City Government's appeal for calamity assistance to the flashflood victims.

Speaking before guests and exhibitors at the opening of the three-day 1st Cagayan de Oro Construction Show 2009 at the Limketkai Rotunda, Mayor Jaraula said that Senator Revilla called him up last night and pledged to extend P500,000 worth of rice assistance for the flashflood victims.

The Romualdo political clan in the island province of Camiguin, led by Congressman Pedro Romualdo, has also committed to extend relief assistance to thousands of families adversely affected by the flashfloods, Mayor Jaraula added.

Mayor Jaraula and Vice Mayor Vicente Y. Emano earlier thanked all sectors of society which aptly responded to extend whatever form of assistance to thousands of residents in Cagayan de Oro affected by rampaging flashfloods that brought tremendous devastation to the city recently.

The city government particularly expressed its appreciation and gratitude to all business and commercial establishments, socio-civic groups, government and non-government organizations, police and military, rescue groups, media, kind-hearted individuals, philanthropists, youth and volunteers who gave donations such as used clothings, mats and mattress, kitchen utensils, canned goods, ready-to-eat foods and other relief goods.

"I am very proud and happy that all Cagayanons have demonstrated the spirit of unity by joining together in helping those victims whose houses and properties were inundated by floods," the City Chief Executive said.

Latest report from the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) Operation Action Center at the Tourism Hall as of 11:00 a.m., January 16, 2009, the total number of affected families has risen to 17,524 or displacing 91,223 persons.

The floods that hit 47 out of the 80 rural and urban barangays in Cagayan de Oro City have left two persons dead, with 313 houses totally damaged and 641 partially damaged.

Badly hit are barangays Iponan, Kauswagan, Canitoan, Consolacion, Bulua, Bayabas, Barangay 13, Puntod, Barangay 22, Barangay 35, Pagatpat and Macasandig.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Revilla pushes probe into Cavite factory blast

Senator Ramon “Bong" Revilla, Jr. on Thursday said he wanted the powerful explosion that rocked a fireworks factory in his home province probed, citing reports that this is the second time that such an incident has occurred.

“Unang-una dapat paimbestigahan ito. Kung dalawang beses ito parang di na sila natuto. Tignan muna natin (The incident should be investigated. If this is the second time it happened, it seems the owners did not learn. But let us look into the incident further)," Revilla said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Revilla said he was guest speaker at an event in Maragondon town in Cavite, but when he learned of the incident, he immediately went to Trece Martires City.

“Nalaman ko kaya napatakbo ako dito (I rushed to Trece Martires when I learned of the explosion)," he said.

The death toll in the explosion at Starmakers Factory rose to two Thursday noon, according to Trece Martires City police chief Superintendent Reynaldo Galang.

On the other hand, Cavite provincial police director Senior Superintendent Hernando Zafra said three persons were already confirmed dead while 38 were reportedly wounded in the powerful blast.

 

by Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

Senate Big Spenders: Bong, Lito, Jinggoy

Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Manuel “Lito” Lapid may have crossed over from filmdom to politics, but they haven’t given up their lead roles—as big spenders, that is.

In a financial report covering January to December 2007, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the actors-turned-politicians were among the top spenders on administrative operations in the Senate.

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who is married to megastar Sharon Cuneta, was in the same ballpark.

Revilla spent P15,889,626.66, Estrada P15,449,229.69, Pangilinan P15,271,305.21 and Lapid P15,103,242.15.

Non-show biz type

The fifth slot went to a non-show biz type—Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile with P14,993,705.40.

In salaries and benefits, Revilla was at the top with P7,836,398.98, followed by Estrada at P6,933,427.69.

Revilla topped the list because of the need to fill in regular plantilla positions, according to his chief of staff, Reena Angeli Alejar.

She said while other senators had ample committee staff, there was a need to hire additional employees, including consultants, for the Senate committee on public works chaired by Revilla.

This will “maximize” the use of salary budget for each senator because more staff members have actually been hired by Revilla compared with others, she said.

 

by Michael Lim Ubac & Ania Aquino, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

GMA Films may return to MMFF this year with Bong Revilla's Panday

Sa second press conference ng When I Met U ng Regal Entertainment at GMA Films last Monday, January 26, nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ang GMA Films executive na si Joey Abacan. Tinanong namin siya sa mga susunod na projects ng GMA Films para sa taong ito pagkatapos ng Valentine offering nila starring Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion.

"Maraming plano, pero isusunod na ang Sundo," sabi ni Joey, tinutukoy ang horror movie na pinagbibidahan nina Robin Padilla, Sunshine Dizon, Katrina Halili, at Rhian Ramos.

Malamang na bago mag-Holy Week ipalalabas ang Sundo. Talagang nagtagal daw sila sa post-production ng unang full-length horror movie ni Robin dahil sa special effects nito.

Naitanong din namin ang Angelina, ang movie version ng character nina Ogie Alcasid at Michael V sa Bubble Gang. Ngunit sa APT Entertainment daw ito at malamang na mag-co-produce lang ang GMA Films o di kaya ay mag-media partner.

Nabanggit din ang unang pelikula ni Marian Rivera this year, pero hindi pa puwedeng masabi ang pangalan ng magiging partner niya.

Dumako ang usapan sa nabalitang Andres Bonifacio biopic, na balitang pagbibidahan ni Dennis Trillo at magpapabalik sa GMA-7 sa taunang Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) tuwing Kapaskuhan. Pagkatapos ng Mulawin The Movie noong 2005, hindi na muling sumali ang film arm ng Kapuso network sa MMFF bagama't nag-media partner ito sa Regal para sa magkasunod na Desperadas at Desperadas 2.

May nakapagsulat na sasali ngayong taon sa MMFF ang GMA Films sa pamamagitan ng Bonifacio.

"Ha? May nabasa nga ako pero walang ganoon," paglilinaw ni Joey. "Pero baka sumali nga kami sa MMFF 2009, makikipag co-produce kay Bong [Revilla Jr.] sa Panday niya."

Sa thanksgiving party para sa entertainment press ng pamilya Revilla kagabi, January 27, sa Annabel's restaurant, ay ipinalabas ang isang teaser na sinimulan pagkatapos ng opening speech ni Senator Bong, kung saan binanggit niya na may bago nga siyang pelikula.

Mga logo ng GMA Films at Imus Production ang teaser movie, kung saan isang meteor ang bumubulusok mula sa kalawakan. Sa malaking tipak na bato, lalabas ang isang mahabang espada at sa lupa, makukuha ito ni Bong Revilla saka ilalabas ang buong titulo ng pelikula—Carlo J. Caparas' Panday.

Kinausap agad ng PEP ang aktor tungkol sa Panday. Ang alam niya, baka November daw ito ipalabas. Pero depende rin daw kung makakapasok ito sa screening committee ng MMFF 2009. Wala pa ring napipiling leading lady si Bong na gaganap ng original Flavio. (Sa Dugo ng Panday ni Bong noong 1993, kapangalang apo lang siya ng original na Panday na ginampanan ni Fernando Poe Jr.).

Sina Rico Gutierrez at Mac Alejandre daw ang magdidirek ng Panday mula sa panulat ni RJ Nuevas.

May apat na installment ang original na Panday series ng yumaong Hari ng Pelikulang Pilipino: Ang Panday (1981), Ang Pagbabalik ng Panday (1982), Panday: Ikatlong Yugto (1983), at Panday: Ika-apat Na Aklat (1984).

Noong 1993, ini-spoof ito ni Joey de Leon sa Pandoy, Ang Alalay ni Panday.

Taong 1993 din nang ibinalik ang Panday series sa Dugo ng Panday nga ni Bong ngunit descendant lang ng original character ang ginampanan niya kahit Flavio pa rin ang pangalan nito. Noong 1998 naman, si Jinggoy Estrada ang nag-Panday sa Hiwaga ng Panday, kung saan ang character niyang si Guiller ang nakakuha ng espada ni Flavio.

Sa primetime soap ng ABS-CBN na Panday noong 2005, hindi rin si Flavio ang ginampanan ni Jericho Rosales sa title role kundi isa pa sa mga nakakuha ng espada, si Tristan.

Vox populi, says Bong Revilla on 2010 plans

What will make Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. run for president in 2010 elections? Revilla, who is also an actor, said it is all up to the people.

"I will base my decision siguro on survey because I believe in survey. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Vox populi, vox Dei. So kung ano ‘yong magiging senyales ng Panginoon, I will wait for that," Revilla said.

"Mahirap kasing pumasok, ipilit ‘yong sarili mo na hindi ka naman napapanahon.  hindi ka naman gusto ng tao, o hindi naman gusto ng Panginoon, mahirap na," he added.

Revilla said he was overwhelmed by reports that he was being considered to become the standard bearer of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) in 2010 polls.

He said he could not believe it when he first heard about the reports. He said it is a victory in itself if he makes it on the list of Lakas members who are being considered to become the party’s presidential bet.

“That's why I'm very thankful sa mga kasamahan ko sa partido... may mga tao palang naniniwala din if ever naman," he said.

Currently though, Revilla said he would rather focus on his work as a senator and not think about the 2010 polls.

Meanwhile, Revilla, a star of a television show in another network, said he is set to do a remake of “Panday.” He said it might be shown October or November of this year.

2010 ELECTION WATCH: Bong Revilla says running for president is in God's hands

Bago ang thanksgiving party ni Senator Bong Revilla para sa entertainment press kagabi, January 27, sa Annabel's restaurant sa Tomas Morato, Quezon City, ipinakita muna ang teaser ng pelikulang gagawin ng actor-politician this year under GMA Films, Panday.

Balitang December pa ito ipalalabas, pero unang buwan pa lang ng taon ay nakikiusap na si Bong na suportahan daw sana ang napakalaking project niyang ito.

KAP'S AMAZING STORIES. Masaya naman si Bong dahil sa walang-sawang suporta ng mga tao sa kanyang show sa GMA-7 na Kap's Amazing Stories. Laging mataas ang rating nito.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa walang-sawang sumusuporta sa Kap's. Sa mga tagahanga ko na tumatangkilik hanggang ngayon, hindi ako pinapabayaan. Maraming-maraming salamat po kasi ang Kap's ay talagang napakaganda ng rating," saad ni Bong sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang entertainment press.

Maging ang ilang eskuwelahan daw sa bansa ay nire-require na panoorin ng mga estudyante ang kanyang show dahil sa maraming impormasyon na puwedeng malaman dito.

"Actually, since magsimula yung Kap's Amazing Stories, nire-require ng mga school yung mga estudyante na pag-aralan. Then, tina-tackle kung ano ang napanood nila. So, napakaganda. At least, very educational. So, it's infotainment, e. Kaya on my part, nakakatuwa, nakakalaki ng puso. At least, nare-recognize nila ang nagagawa natin para sa kabataan."

PANDAY. Ayon kay Bong, by mid-March daw nila sisimulan ang shooting ng Panday para mas mahaba ang maging time for the special effects and post-production. Excited siya sa project dahil medyo matagal na raw nang huli niyang gawin ang Panday at bata pa raw siya noon.

"Kaya pa naman nating tumalun-talon at lumipad-lipad!" natatawa niyang sabi. "Actually, nag-eensayo ako ngayon. Nag-eensayo ulit akong humawak ng sword. Pati yung mga stunts, nag-start na rin tayo. Siyempre, hindi tayo bumabata kaya kailangan nating magbanat ng buto."

Nang tanungin kung sino ang magiging leading lady niya sa Panday, secret muna raw ito at abangan na lang.

POLITICAL PLANS. Napangiti si Senator Bong nang kamustahin namin ang napapabalitang pagtakbo niya bilang presidente ng Pilipinas sa 2010.        

"Well, regarding that, masyado pang matagal. Ayokong isipin ‘yan. Una kong narinig ‘yan, nanlamig ang talampakan ko at nanginig ang tuhod ko!" natatawa niyang sabi.

Patuloy niya, "Alam ko, I'm still young, mahaba ang tatahakin natin. At hindi naman ako nagmamadali. But I do believe in destiny. If you're really destined to be the next president, wala kang magagawa run.  Kahit ayaw mo, itutulak ka, e. 

"Ang point ko lang, basta gagawin ko kung ano ang tama. Tutulong ako para sa bayan at gagawin ko lahat ng magagawa ko. Anyway, regarding that, ang partido ang magdedesisyon diyan. Mahaba pang proseso ‘yan, although niluluto na nila yung pangalan ko. To be recognized on the party is already a victory on my part. Malaki nang bagay yun."

Ano ang pakiramdam na mismong ang partido niya ang nagsasabing siya ang gusto nilang tumakbo for president?

"Nakakalaki nga ng puso," sagot ng senador. "Sabi ko nga, to be recognized by the party is already a victory on my part. Para na rin akong nanalo noon."

Pero handa na ba siyang tumakbo at kung sakali ay maupo bilang presidente?

"Siguro naman, kung ang pagbabasehan ay ang track record, naging bise gobernador na rin ako, naging governor, tapos ngayon ay senator. But, as I've said, bata pa naman ako. Hindi tayo nagmamadali. Hintayin na lang natin ang tamang panahon and I just leave my fate to God. Leave my fate to Him kung anuman ang magiging kapalaran natin," saad niya.

Kung sakali, makakaya kaya niyang iwan ang showbiz?

"Siyempre, ang showbiz, palaging ano ko ‘yan, e, hindi ko puwedeng talikuran. Mahal ko ang industriya. Diyan ako galing. Sabi nga nila, di ba, ang taong hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan?"

Nasa plano na ba talaga niya ang tumakbo bilang presidente ng bansa?

"Hindi ko pinangarap, e," sagot ni Bong. "Hindi ko rin pinangarap maging senator, maging governor, di ba? So, pero kapag may calling, hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari."

Kailan malalaman kung tatakbo nga siyang presidente?

"We don't know... Maybe mid this year, alam na natin kung sino ang nasa frontline. Although, definitely, I'm running for 2010—hindi ko lang alam kung anong position. Pero, siyempre, kung sinuman ang mauupo, alam nating hindi birong responsibilidad ‘yan."

Sa puso niya ngayon, lamang ba ang pagtakbo niya sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa?

"Ang nasa puso ko ngayon yung pagtulong sa tao, e," sabi niya. "So, kung anuman ang responsibilidad na iatang sa akin, kung sa tingin ng Panginoon, ito ang gampanan mong role, di ba? Hindi lang sa pelikula kundi gawin mo sa totoong buhay. I'll do it if I have too."

PHILLIP'S CASE. Just recently, may lumabas na balita na nadesisyunan na raw ng Court of Appeals ang kasong isinampa ng businesswoman na si Cristina Decena sa kaibigan ni Bong na si Phillip Salvador.

Ayon kasi sa lumabas na report sa isang tabloid, kinatigan daw ng Office of the Solicitor General ang naunang desisyon ng Las Piñas Regional Trial Court sa kasong estafa na isinampa ni Cristina kay Phillip. Napatunayan daw na "guilty" si Phillip at hinatulang makulong ng anim hanggang 12 taon.

Pero napag-alaman ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na hindi pa ito ang desisyon talaga ng Court of Appeals kundi isang brief for appellee pa lamang from the Office of the Solicitor General. Kaya maaari pang umapela si Phillip sa Supreme Court.

Pero ano ba ang masasabi ni Bong tungkol sa kaso ng kanyang kaibigan?           

"Well, alam n'yo, yung sa aming magkakaibigan, yung ganoon, siyempre laban niya yun. Hindi naman siya nag-aano sa amin na, ‘Tulungan n'yo ako.' Ang katwiran niya kasi diyan, ‘Kaya ko ‘to dahil alam ko wala akong kasalanan,'" sabi ni Bong.

Anong support ang naibibigay nila kay Ipe?

"Moral support lang ang maibibigay namin sa kanya. Nandiyan na sa korte, e. Basta, naniniwala ako na hindi siya pababayaan ng Panginoon at maaabsuwelto pa rin siya. Kilala ko ang kaibigan ko, napakabait na tao ni Phillip. Napakabait na kaibigan nun."

May mga nagsasabi na posibleng maimpluwensiyahan ang desisyon ng korte dahil sa pagiging malapit ni Phillip kina Bong at Jinggoy Estrada, na kapwa senador. Kaya merong nag-iisip na kung may kaso man ito, posibleng makalusot din daw ito sa tulong nila.

Pero ayon kay Senator Bong, "Kung talagang ginagamit namin ang puwersa namin, sana umpisa pa lang hindi siya nasentensiyahan. That is so unfair, di ba?"

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Revilla: Flattered, but no rush

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. broke his silence on Wednesday on the mention of his name as among those being considered by the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats as a presidential contender, saying he was “flattered” but was “not rushing” into the presidency.

“I am very flattered by the trust of my peers in Lakas considering me to be its standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential elections,” Revilla said in a statement.

“It is heartwarming to note that our colleagues in the party recognize our efforts over the last 15 years – from being vice governor and governor of Cavite; our campaign against piracy at the VRB [Video Regulatory Board]; and our performance here at the Senate,” said Revilla in Filipino.

“Nonetheless, I believe that being President of a country is not an ambition but a gift from God,” the actor-turned-politician said.

Becoming President, the senator added, was one’s destiny and beyond any individual’s control.

“I am not rushing into this. It is still too early to even consider this possibility but being a party soldier, I will abide by the party’s ultimate decision. Bata pa naman tayo at eligible pa naman tayo [We are still young and still eligible] for re-election,” Revilla further said.

It was Lakas executive director Ray Roquero, who announced Tuesday that several party leaders have been pushing Revilla to become the party’s standard bearer.

Lakas is planning to convene its executive committee next month and call a convention in March to decide on the matter.

 

by Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net

Monday, January 12, 2009

PDEA needs prosecutorial powers - Sen. Revilla

A bill that would give prosecutorial powers to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to expedite probes and filing of drug cases is being considered at the Senate.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said he would file the measure “to arrest the worsening row and finger-pointing” between the Department of Justice and the PDEA over the alleged bribery drug scandal involving some justice officials and prosecutors.

“The growing problem of illegal drug is peculiar and I believe that it should be given special attention and greater scrutiny, thus the creation of a focused team tasked solely for the purpose is necessary,” he said in a statement on Monday.

In his bill, Revilla said he would propose the creation of a special prosecutorial office within the PDEA that would be empowered to directly prosecute offenders involved in “no-bail” drug cases.

At present, the senator said, the PDEA could only cause the filing of appropriate criminal and civil cases for violation of all laws on illegal drugs but the prosecution of these cases remains with the DOJ.

“I believe the DOJ is doing its best to resolve all the cases submitted to it with only the best intentions and in the soonest possible time, but the DOJ’s hands are very full. It is in this light that we would like to unburden the DOJ,” said the senator.

If the PDEA would be granted prosecutorial powers, Revilla said the agency would have sole accountability in the determination of filing of drug cases and would avoid finger-pointing like what happened in the so-called “Alabang boys.”

He expressed apprehension that the drug problem in the country would further worsen if the word war between the PDEA and DOJ would continue.

“There is no reason for the DOJ and the PDEA to be at each other’s throat. I believe that drug money and big-time drug lords are fueling this controversy to their benefit. As concerned agencies engage in verbal fighting and buck passing, only drug syndicates are meriting,” Revilla added.

 

by Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net