Senator Roxas prods Department of Justice to act swiftly on Legacy complaints

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday prodded the Department of Justice (DoJ) to act swiftly on the complaints filed against officials of the Legacy Group led by owner Celso de los Angeles, to bring justice and relief to the victims of the company's schemes.
"Pupukpukin natin ang Department of Justice, kakalampagin natin hanggang sa mag-file na sila ng kaso laban sa Legacy, lalo na kay Celso (We will continue to pound on the DoJ for them to immediately file cases against Legacy officials, especially de los Angeles)," the chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said.

"Ang lahat ng ito ay nasa kamay ngayon ng Department of Justice dahil ito ang mag-fa-file ng kaso laban kay Celso de los Angeles. Babantayan natin ito. Hindi natin papayagan na na idri-dribble lang ito hanggang sa magkalimutan na lang (All these are now in the hands of the DoJ because it will be the one which would file cases against Celso de los Angeles. We will watch them closely. We will not allow them to sit on the cases until the public forgets about them)," he also said.
Complaints have been filed before the DoJ against the Legacy owner and his cohorts by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and various investors, all of which have been referred for preliminary investigation to the "Task Force Legacy."

Members of the task force have told senators that the preliminary investigation into the complaints would begin on March 21 after all pleadings and counter-pleadings have been filed by concerned parties.

The Ilonggo senator said it was imperative for the Justice department to employ fast action on the cases so aggrieved pre-need planholders and bank depositors and investors could recover the investments they made to the various Legacy companies, such as the Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc., Legacy One Card and its 13 rural banks.

He exhorted prosecutors not to follow the path of the 2005 Task Force against Bank Frauds, which until now has yet to file a single case in relation to the complaints referred to it when it was created.
"Ang tanong ngayon, paano si Nanay Beth? Si Nanay Mila? At iba pang biktima? Paano ang pera nila? Paano mananagot ang dapat na managot dito? Kailangang agarang kumilos ang DoJ para makakuha ng hustisya ang mga kawawang biktima ng Legacy (The question now is, how about Nanay Beth, Nanay Mila and the other victims? How about their savings? Will the persons responsible for this scam be held responsible? DOJ should act swiftly so justice will be served for sake of Legacy's victims)," he said.

Thursday, March 12, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Forum on the Role of Youth in Development

Just got this one from the Absolute Cousins blog of my online friend Brian Ong.

Senator Mar Roxas invites everyone to a Forum on the Role of Youth in Development
  • When: March 21, 2009 at 6 PM
  • Where: Expo Centro, along EDSA (across Farmers Market) in Araneta Center, Quezon City
  • RSVP: Lorenz Sapitan / Annette Villarruz (0917-3120214 or 09209174389)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas to planholders: Senate will pursue Legacy scam

The Senate will not bring to a close its inquiry into the financial state of the pre-need business until it has established liabilities of government officials and private individuals in the reported looming collapse of the industry, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas promised aggrieved plan-holders.
"Makakaasa kayo, hindi namin titigilan ito. Kawawang-kawawa naman ang ating mga kababayang nabiktima nitong mga scam na ito kung ihihinto natin ito (We will not stop this investigation in the interest of the victims of this scam)," he said.

"Malinaw na malinaw, parang bumuka nga langit at lumabas ang kaliwanagan. Nakita natin kung paano minanipula ni Celso de los Angeles 'yung pera ng Legacy para sa kanyang pansariling interest (As if the skies have opened, it is very clear now how Celso de los Angeles manipulated Legacy's funds for his personal interest)," he added.
The senator said he will continue the probe for the sake of the thousands of plan holders and depositors whose dreams have disappeared due to the Legacy mess, and will not let politics compromise this goal.
"That's one vote I don't care losing," Roxas said in relation to a swipe made by De los Angeles that he would vote for "anybody except... you just fill in the blanks."
The chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee looking into the pre-need business and the collapse of De los Angeles' Legacy group, revealed that the committee has been deluged with calls from other potential witnesses volunteering to testify and bare more information on the illegal transactions of the Legacy group of companies.
"Sinisiguro po muna natin na may dokumentasyon. Nakita naman natin ang nangyari noong Lunes, merong dokumentasyon ang mga witnesses kaya nahirapan si De los Angeles at si (SEC Commissioner Jesus) Martinez na paikutin ang mga senador (We are making sure that these witnesses have documentary evidence to back their allegations. Like the witnesses who testified last Monday, they have documents with them that was why it was hard for De los Angeles and Martinez to contradict their claims)," he added.
Legacy Consolidated Plans Incorporated Chief Operating officer Carol Hinola has testified that Martinez was a "close friend" of De los Angeles who helped the latter with his problems at the SEC. She had also claimed the Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI) had paid for a P3.3 million house and lot which Martinez gave to his son. Martinez is also a second cousin of Paranaque Rep. Ed Zialcita, whom former chief finance officer Santos alleged was paid P1.8 million by LCPI in "consultancy fees."

The two witnesses have claimed that pre-need premiums were diverted to De los Angeles' personal bank accounts and for his mayoralty bid during the 2007 elections.

Roxas said once De los Angeles makes true his commitment to allow senators to examine his private bank accounts, the committee would ascertain if company funds were indeed siphoned off to his personal funds.
"Iisa lang ang alam natin, ang ating mga kababayan, ang mga mahihirap na nagtiwala, nag-ipon, kinapital nila 'yung kanilang pawis, 'yung kanilang dugo, 'yung kanilang luha, wala silang pinanghahawakan ngayon. Susundan natin ang pera, aalamin natin ang buong katotohanan dito para sila naman ay may tsansa na ma-recover ang kanilang mga pera (There is only one truth in all these: those who put their trust in Legacy, those who invested their hard-earned monies in Legacy, they are now holding empty bags. We will follow the paper trail of the Legacy funds and establish the truth so they can recover even just a small amount of their investments)" he vowed.
The Senate trade and committee had provided security and personal protection to the two former Legacy key officers. Roxas said he would coordinate with other committee members and with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on the need to also provide security to the other witnesses.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

Father of BPO graces the newly-inaugurated TELUS Araneta Center

Senator Mar Roxas, being a staunch advocate of information and communications technology as a tool for national progress and hailed as the "Father of the Call Center and Business Process Outsourcing Industries" in the Philippines, was one of the special guest in TELUS, a Canada-based call center firm, opening in Araneta Center.

In the picture below, Senator Roxas and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte try out the facilities of the newly-inaugurated TELUS House in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. Looking on is TELUS International Philippines SVP, Paul Ergger.

Roxas, the father of the Business Process Outsourcing Industry, believes in the Filipino’s potential to harness information technology as a key tool for the country’s development.

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Senator Roxas expresses concern on LRT-MRT3 diggings in Monumento

Senator Mar Roxas has expressed interest and concern in the ongoing desecration of the Bonifacio Monument. This is to address the concern of Mr. Rolando G. Ocampo, Lead Convenor of Monumento World Heritage Global Campaign.

I came across the blog of Mr. Ocampo about this. He said that received a letter from Atty. Blas James G. Viterbo, Roxas' Chief-of-Staff, regarding his letter about the desecration of the Bonifacio Monument located in Caloocan City because of the ongoing LRT-MRT3 diggings.

Here's a copy of the letter that was furnished by Senator Roxas' office to LRTA Administrator Melquiades A. Robles, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri, and MMDA Gen. Mgr. Roberto Nacianceno respectively.

Saturday, March 7, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

Kris Aquino's baby James to be ring bearer in Mar-Korina wedding

An interesting news that I read from ABS-CBN's website regarding the much-awaited wedding of Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez.
James Yap Jr., the youngest son of the Philippines’ Queen of Talk Kris Aquino and star cager James Yap, will be the ring bearer in the much-awaited wedding of ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez and Senator Mar Roxas II.

Aquino announced over ABS-CBN's SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon that she won’t disclose other details of the wedding except that her baby boy will be part of the special occasion.

"Ito I can safely say this. I'm not gonna say when [the marriage will be] cause it's up to Korina and Mar, but definitely, ring bearer si Baby James. Kasi hindi ba nag-interbyuhan kami ni Korina, kinumpromiso ko na siya na first time na magri-ring bearer ni Baby James for my kinakapatid Mar Roxas and for my dear friend Korina Sanchez," Aquino said.

Aquino spilled the beans after SNN reported the current status of Roxas and Sanchez’s romantic relationship.

"Masaya, puno ng pag-ibig. Happy kami at saka maganda, nagkakasundo kami kasi pareho kami ng gusto para sa bayan natin," Sanchez said. "So todo support ako sa kanya, todo support din siya sa akin."

Asked by SNN if there’s already a date for the wedding, Sanchez was evasive and simply replied: "Ikaw ang unang makakaalam."

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Ka Jovy Salonga and Mar Roxas are conspirators

Here's a statement of the Liberal Party of the Philippines in admitting that Ka Jovy Salonga and LP President Senator Mar Roxas are consipirators.
In supporting the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, we in the Liberal Party admit to be part of a conspiracy for good. Ka Jovy Salonga and Mar Roxas are its masterminds. We are engaged in a conspiracy for clean governance, a conspiracy against syndicated corruption in government.

We have waited so long for this showdown with Ombudsman Mercedita Gutierrez and her political masters. Punung-puno na kami at punung-puno na ang bayan. The nation is nauseated by the stench of corruption in this administration and we are determined to impeach its main promoter and protector.

When will we, Filipinos, act to fix corruption in our own land? It is a shame that we cannot clean up our own kitchen. It took the United States to arrest Jocjoc and General Garcia’s sons. It took Russia to intercept the Euro Generals. It took the World Bank to expose anomalous road contracts.

Hindi ba nakakahiya na aabot pa sa puntong mga dayuhan pa ang maglilinis ng ating gobyerno? Ito ang isang dahilan kung bakit nawawalan ng respeto ang ibang bansa sa atin, dahil sa hindi natin malinis ang sarili nating bakuran. If Gutierrez is not impeached, the Philippines will graduate from the most corrupt nation in Asia to the most corrupt in the world.

And where was the Ombudsman when all of these cases were happening? She was making sure that the evil schemes of the administration were kept in the shadows and out of public scrutiny—under a modus operandi of delay, distract, cover up, obfuscate and confuse. She was coddling grafters and keeping them from the reach of justice.

We are resolved to attack this syndicate of corruption and expose it in the full light of truth. We know that many in the legislature share our cause, especially those who have been blackmailed and intimidated by the administration to toe the line or else be whimsically investigated by the notorious Ombudsman. We ask them to stand and be counted.

Ang proseso ng impeachment ay ang pinakamabisang paraan para malantad ang lahat sa publiko, lalong-lalo na ang mga operasyon ng gobyerno para itago ang katotohanan. We stand beside Ka Jovy Salonga and our allies. We are proud of their actions in behalf of our people. We further condemn Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for her malicious remarks against Ka Jovy and demand that she act and speaks under the high standards of decency and civility that inures to her Office.

Friday, March 6, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Eduardo Pilapil, Jr. meets the Mar Roxas 2010 Blogger

It was nice meeting someone like Mr. Eduardo Pilapil, Jr. who is a motivational speaker. I just heard about him when he was invited by our school to give a talk on "Maximize Your Potential: How to Go Beyond Your Limits" to Cebu Institute of Technology students.

I wasn't able to attend that seminar of Mr. Eduardo Pilapil, Jr. yesterday though, but I was able to meet him in the office of Mr. Bernand Villamor.

Together with me were my colleagues in the Supreme Student Government headed by our President Benjie Belotindos and Vice President Stephen Alim. Also, the Technologian Press was there headed by their Editor-in-Chief Von Clyde Romo and the Industrial Engineering Council represented by Michael Jerecho Dueñas.

I asked him on making decisions that would prevent me from being frustrated after choosing it. He told us to list down the positive and negative effects of the decision if we would go or not go for it. Then, he also emphasized the importance of getting along with the pressure in making decisions. As we all know, we can't avoid it.

Another thing that I learned is on how to balance our responsibilities. He told us that in order to finish one thing, you should give 100% focus on it. If there are still other things that can wait, then forget about it on that time. Think about what you are doing.

It's good to be with Mr. Eduardo Pilapil, Jr. When you listen to him speak, you're really motivated. I know about these things before, but I just came to realize it now.

He's such a good one! Kudos to you Mr. Eduardo Pilapil, Jr.!

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Manny Villar values money more than the people

What does Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party think about the 2010 Philippine Presidential elections? In an interview with Reuters India, he said:
"If you can't even raise one billion pesos, why even run?"
He just showed on what he values most. MONEY

Yes, it's a sad reality that if you want to run for President in the Philippines, you must have P1 Billion or even more to win.

But this must change. Elections should never be dictated by how much money a candidate raises and spends, but by a candidate's platform of government, his service and track record.

Instead to trying to change the status quo, Villar even supported the status quo! Senator Mar Roxas wants to change it, Villar doesnt!

This just shows how arrogant Villar is in pursuing his candidacy.
"Filipinos cannot be bought... They will choose a leader who can provide good government," Senator Roxas reacting to Villar's remarks.
Villar sees the Filipino people as someone whom he can buy with his money just to have his place in Malacañang in 2010. The Filipino voters will never allow to be bought!

It's up for the people if they want a leader who wants to defend the ugly status quo or a leader who wants to change it.

Thursday, March 5, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

There will be no Philippines without the Visayas - Mar Roxas

Senator Mar Roxas was in Cebu to grace the opening program of the 1st One Visayas Culture and Arts Festival in the Cebu International Convention Center together with the governors and local officials of the 16 provinces of Visayas. The event showcases the bests of the Visayan provinces from their products to tourist destinations.


Senator Mar Roxas shares a laugh with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia (center) and Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano (right). Photo courtesy of Cebu Online News

Roxas, being the guest speaker for the event, praised the Visayan officials for their unity. Visayas, composed of 16 provinces namely Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental in Region 6 (Western Visayas), Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor in Region 7 (Central Visayas) and Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), has played a major role in the development of the country.
"...a fabric that will cradle each and every Filipino in the Visayas as well as in the Philippines, because even as Visayas still exists without the rest of the Philippines, there will be no Philippines without the Visayas.", Roxas said referring to the importance of the event.
Roxas was also impressed by the presence of governors and other high-ranking government officials during the launching and said that the celebration "is a sign of oneness that will definitely result to economic benefits in Central Philippines", as the effort will connect the Visayas provinces in terms of trade and transportation.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

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