Roxas presses more teeth in OFW protection

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas called for stronger government protection for the estimated 10 million Filipinos working abroad, especially against abuse by their employers or host countries.

At the same time, Roxas vowed to press for reforms in government policy involving the deployment of skilled and non-skilled workers to other countries as he noted the growing number of Filipinos overseas and the rising number of OFW-related incidents.
"Naniniwala akong ang pinakamahalaga nating maibibigay sa mga OFW natin ay seguridad. Kailangang bigyan natin ang mga OFW ng sapat na suporta at proteksyon para hindi sila abusuhin kapag nasa abroad na sila (I believe that the best thing we can give to our OFW is security for them. We need to give them all the support and protection so they will be spared abuse when they are abroad)," he said.

The Visayan senator said the government must also reduce the financial burden of Filipino overseas workers by removing the 0.15% Documentary Stamps Tax (DST) on money remittances to the country. It is a "significant financial burden to (OFWs) considering that the country is already experiencing unprecedented highs in food and oil prices," he said.

At the same time, Roxas pushed for the professionalization of the Foreign Service system, which he said would ensure that only the most talented and most qualified are recruited by the government to ensure that our OFWs will get quality assistance from personnel and officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs here and abroad.

He also pressed Malacañang to release the P50 million for the OFW Social Reintegration program that President Arroyo has yet to release to the Department of Labor and Employment. The program provides "balikbayan" OFWs with sufficient knowledge of how to use their savings as well as investment opportunities and other forms of reintegration assistance.

Roxas said the government must ensure that OFWs have access to communication wherever they are to so they can easily call Philippine offices in their areas in cases of employer problems and that free legal services for those facing legal problems are readily available.

He also said pre-departure orientation and preparation seminars should likewise be given to departing OFWs to brief them of their rights and on what they should and could do should they encounter difficulties in their jobs.

But all these reforms, he stressed, could only take place once an activist government – one that cares for and listen to its people – takes over from the current administration, which has consistently shown insensitivity to the plight of its workers abroad.

Thursday, August 20, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Mar and Korina should get Buddy Gancenia as their wedding videographer

Get a credible wedding videographer! I guess Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez must get fellow blogger Buddy Gancenia, the best Philippine wedding videographer for having won the Grand Prize in the 1st Sony Wedding Video Competition 2007, for their wedding videography on October 23, 2009 in their "People's Wedding."


This website owned by Buddy, a wedding videographer, is the first and only Documentary-Reality Wedding Video producers in the Philippines’ – and in the world. This must be something!

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
  • Distinctive presentation and a professional feel, much like a TV reality show
  • Beyond the traditional music video-style production
  • No content sacrificed. Interviews, behind-the-scenes footages, and unexpected occurrences are put as part of the story. It’s as real as it gets.
  • Highly personal and unique. No two Reality Wedding Videos are alike.
Buddy has been producing many quality and creative videos and I'm confident that producing a wedding video will be another hit!

MATCHLESS DELIVERY TIME: Wedding Videos in 2 Weeks!

Filipino newly-weds usually call it a common sight when their wedding video is delivered 3-6 months after their wedding, but not with this wedding videographer.

Buddy and his company understands your need for immediate replays of your wedding day and guarantees you to get your copy of High Production Value Wedding Videos in just 2 weeks from your wedding day. Just provide them the necessary materials such as your preferred music on or before your wedding day.

Mar and Korina should take this cool wedding videographer in their upcoming wedding.

To check their rates and services, visit http://realityweddingvideo.tv/rates-and-service/ NOW!

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Mar Roxas - Korina Sanchez wedding on October 23, 2009

Here's an article from Ricky Lo of Philippine Star about the wedding of Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez. Originally from his article, "Mar-Korina 'People's Wedding' set Oct. 23"

Photo courtesy of MARC NICDAO, reprinted from People Asia magazine.
It’s confirmed: Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez will (finally, finally!) get married in what they call a “People’s Wedding” on Oct. 23.

“It will be an afternoon wedding,” Korina said in an interview with Funfare.

The venue is a toss-up between Sto. Domingo Church and the Manila Cathedral. But the reception will definitely be held at Bahay na Puti (in Cubao, Quezon City), the home of Mar’s lolo and lola and the venue of the reception for the wedding of Mar’s parents, former Sen. Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta, and his aunt Baby Araneta and Dr. Raul Fores.

“So,” said Korina, “in a big way, we are following tradition. There may be more than a thousand guests although we have yet to finalize the list. Mar has relatives in Negros, Iloilo, Capiz and Bulacan; while mine are from Pampanga. Some of my relatives will come from New York.”

There are not too many details as yet.

“Mar and I want to hold it at the Sto. Domingo Church which has a long walk and a beautiful entrance with beautiful stained glass all over it. There are wonderful, wide corridors and a garden in the middle,” added Korina. “The Manila Cathedral is also an old church which has beautifully gilded cornices and a beautiful ceiling and is very regal aside from it already being air-conditioned. There may be another church we are looking at, like San Sebastian Church and Quiapo Church. We will decide which one this week.”

What about the entourage?

“I think I will have 12 bridesmaids. I have called my best friends from my childhood until today. I’ve lost touch with some of them so I had to look them up and call them. They were all thrilled and so am I. These bridesmaids make this special event very real for me as these are women who had been there to share my lowest moments and my highest throughout my life so far. I will have six flower girls one of whom is my niece Saila. Of course, Baby James is our ring bearer, Dyan Castillejo’s son Matthew is the Bible bearer and I am hoping I can make my nephew Miguel walk as the coin bearer. My two nieces, Tyra and Maya, will be junior bridesmaids along with Mercedes, Mar’s niece.”

She and Mar have yet to finalize the list of ninongs and ninangs and secondary sponsors.

Kris Aquino will anchor the ABS-CBN coverage of the Filipino wedding. Korina’s gown will be designed by Pepito Albert and those of the entourage by Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Randy Ortiz. Mar’s cousin Margarita Fores has drawn up the menu and, in fact, they have set up a mock of the reception dinner tables.

“Ang ganda!,” exclaimed Korina. “ It’s exactly how I would want a wedding dinner table to be. Beautiful! Mar keeps reminding me, ‘Not too much,’ so it’s great that my contacts all gave me discounts and friends lent me old things to use for the decor. It is turning out so well.”

Korina calls it a “People’s Wedding” because she and Mar are not keeping anything secret. Every detail will be documented and shown as a two-hour special on Channel 2.

“So, makikita ng tao ang lahat ng detalye ng kasal. We are thinking of a way to acommodate people who would like to be at the church and be part of this special moment between myself and Mar. Mar has helped so many people and everywhere I go, people ask, ‘Kailan ang kasal? Imbitado ba kami?’ They want to go. It is very heartwarming and I wish we could invite the whole country. Hahahaha! So I guess television is the best way to make them part of it.”

And what about the honeymoon?

Korina didn’t say where.

Hmmmm. Are we going to see that, too, in the TV coverage?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Akbayan endorses Mar Roxas for President; Risa Hontiveros, to run as LP guest candidate

The AKBAYAN party-list group formally endorsed the presidential bid of Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas in the 2010 national and local elections.


The group likewise announced it has accepted the offer of the Liberal Party for AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros to be a guest candidate in LP's senatorial slate for next year's election.

AKBAYAN is the first party-list group to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2010 polls. The Liberal Party is expected to name Roxas as its standard bearer in the presidential election next year.
"Oras na para ang mga pwersang nagnanais ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating bansa ay magkaisa para makamit na natin ang matagal nating minimithing maunlad at modernong bansa (It is time for the political forces that yearn for a progressive Philippines to unite)," Roxas said after being informed of AKBAYAN's endorsement of his bid for the presidency.
The Liberal Party and AKBAYAN, he added, will be offering a common agenda of good governance and reforms that will push for an activist government that truly cares for the people and their welfare.

AKBAYAN President Ronald Llamas said their group believes Roxas is the only presidential candidate who could stop rampant graft and corruption in government.
"Walang Presidente, kahit na gaano kagaling, ang makakapagsulong ng anumang reporma kung hindi nito sisingilin ang GMA administration dahil sa talamak na korupsyon sa gobyerno (No President, however competent, can push true reforms unless it makes the current administration pay for the gross corruption in government," he said.

"Kailangan natin ng isang lider na kayang itulak ang mga tunay na reporma, at para sa amin, sa lahat ng nagbabalak na tumakbo bilang presidente ay si Mar Roxas lang ang tanging pwede naming makasama (We need a leader that can push true reforms, and for us in Akbayan, among all those aspiring to become President, it is only Mar Roxas that we can join in this fight)," Llamas said. Llamas was re-elected as Akbayan president in the partylist group's 4th Regular Congress held last Friday at the Club Filipino.
He added Roxas' principles and platforms made him different from the other candidates.
"Pinili namin ang kandidato na klarong hindi makikipagnegosasyon sa GMA administrasyon at hindi sasabak sa halalan sa 2010 na ang batayan ay baluktot na political accommodations (We chose a candidate who will not compromise with the GMA Administration and will not run in the 2010 elections through unprincipled political accommodations)," Llamas said.

"Matagal na rin kaming nakakatrabaho si Mar Roxas batay sa aming mga tinutulak na reporma, kagaya ng pagtulay sa batas para sa murang gamot (We have worked for reforms with Mar Roxas based on our platform, like the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Law)," he also said.
Llamas said he is confident that with the inclusion of Hontiveros in LP's senatorial line-up, Filipinos could look forward to a stop in government corruption and an economic policy that would protect local industries and the interests of farmers, workers and professionals.

Monday, August 17, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to public: Beware of defective, fake LPG tanks

Senator Mar Roxas cautioned the public against using defective or substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks as he vowed to pursue illegal refillers and manufacturers of faulty cylinders.


Roxas vowed to fast-track committee discussions and approval of the proposed LPG bill, which the House of Representatives has approved and transmitted to the Senate that seeks a stronger government campaign against defective or fake LPG tanks.

As a testimonial for the urgent passage of this bill, a fire victim, Abigail Eugenio has approached Roxas and sought medical assistance for minor burns she sustained when the LPG tank at a "lugawan" where she and her boyfriend were eating exploded last June 21.

The Liberal Party president said, because of the injuries she sustained, Ms. Eugenio lost the opportunity to work abroad after she missed a final interview for the job she was applying for.

Roxas said he will run after those who sell fake and defective LPG tanks because he will not let Filipino family’s dreams to turn into ashes and that the guilty party should be punished.

Roxas urged the public to meticulously check cylinders they buy from refilling stations and listed tips on how to detect substandard tanks:
  1. No embossed brand name in the tank’s body;
  2. Improper painting and is rusty;
  3. Corroded foot ring and bottom cap;
  4. Tampered serial number, date of manufacturing and has no "quality seal" from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry;
  5. Leaking valve and dents; 6) No "ring" collar; and 7) Light in weight and bought from suspicious refilling station.
The Philippine Association of Cylinder Manufacturers has said 12 million LPG tanks are being sold in the local market, of which 3 million are for scrapping because they could not be fixed anymore, while another 3 million are for pre-qualification or for inspection and certification by the DTI. LPGIA and Bureau of Fire Protection records show almost 1,700 fires due to defective or fake LPG tanks since 2001 until last year.

Thursday, August 13, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas files resolution declaring Jan. 25 as "Cory Aquino Day"

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today filed a resolution declaring January 25, the date of birth of former President Corazon Aquino, as "Cory Aquino Day."

In Joint Resolution No. 28, Roxas said the former President, who passed away on August 1, deserves to be honored yearly for her crucial role in the revival of democracy in our country.

He said the country should look up to Mrs. Aquino as a symbol of the fight against corruption.
"Former President Cory Aquino has demonstrated in the clearest terms that steep moral values and strength of character are what our nation need in times of unabated corruption and political and social decay," he said.
When she was president, Mrs. Aquino, endearingly called as "Tita Cory" by the people, took on the mission to run after the riches stolen from the nation during Martial Law, Roxas said.

The Senate is expected to pass Joint Resolution 28 today. The House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar resolution.

Monday, August 3, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Tita Cory's dreams live on despite death - Roxas

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas expressed deep, personal sadness over the death early Saturday morning of former President Corazon Aquino as he relayed his and his family’s condolences to Mrs. Aquino’s children and family.
"Tita Cory, personally and through her husband Ninoy, underwent so much pain and abuse but she never surrendered. Today, even in death, her dreams live on and they will never be defeated," Roxas said in a statement released after learning of the former President’s death.
To honor the former President, Roxas called on Filipinos to "pray as one nation" and on political leaders to tone down partisan and political statements and activities.
"Tita Cory stood for the unity and reconciliation of our people. The least that we can do today is to set aside our partisan interests, tone down our partisan voices and pray as one nation for her peace and the peace that she dreamt for all of us," he said.

Roxas and his family are close personal friends of the Aquino family. The senator’s late father, former Senator Gerry Roxas, was also a close friend and political ally of President Aquino’s assassinated husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who with Gerry Roxas and former Senator Jovito Salonga formed the Liberal Party’s triumvirate especially during the martial law years.

Mar Roxas returned to the Philippines in 1985 after nine years of working in the United States to help in the presidential campaign of Mrs. Aquino.

His full statement is as follows:
"Tita Cory, personally and through her husband Ninoy, underwent so much pain and abuse but she never surrendered. Today, even in death, her dreams live on and they will never be defeated."

"At no time did an ordinary housewife like her exert an extraordinary influence in the course of our recent history. As she cared for Ninoy and her family during the days of his brave struggle against the dictatorship, she nurtured the nation in its brave journey from darkness to freedom.

"Her leadership was a bridge between the long era of rebellion and strife in the seventies and eighties, and the restoration of democracy towards the nineties. It was a leadership steeped in pure selflessness. For Tita Cory fought dictatorship with the same fervor that she loved our nation. Through her, we were able to live out and show to the world, our own patriotism.

"We saw how the EDSA revolution that was sparked by Tita Cory reverberated globally. It inspired peoples all over Eastern Europe and Latin America to bring down authoritarian rule without violence, to the extent that even the Berlin wall was torn down three years later. The whole world owes much to her shining example.

"Tita Cory joins the ranks of the greatest freedom fighters of the last and current century— Ghandi, Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, among several others who have devoted their life and being to principle that there is nothing more precious than the liberty and dignity of human beings.

"Tita Cory stood for the unity and reconciliation of our people. The least that we can do today is to set aside our partisan interests, tone down our partisan voices and pray as one nation for her peace and the peace that she dreamt for all of us.

Sunday, August 2, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Liveblogging at the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium

Hello everyone! I'm here at the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium doing live blogging, for the first time (thanks to fellow blogger Jose Faruggia), for SM City Cebu's free wifi launching.



5:18 PM: SM City Cebu free wifi launching just started. Paulo Varela is hosting the show.


5:22 PM: Nikki Taylor playing the disco. Fellow Cebu bloggers are here in the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium.

6:14 PM: Woot! Sinjin and Jose just won their respective prizes for the photo blogging contest.


6:32 PM: Cebu's very own band, Hardwood, is now playing. Their music is great!

6:40 PM: Thanks Ricky for letting me borrow your laptop!


7:08 PM: Finally met with my Plurk friend Luke Santillan aka Kwangulastic here in the venue. We're now on the same table.

7:16 PM: Hardwood band just wrapped up their songs. Stage now idle. Where's Paulo, the host?

7:47 PM: Kai just did me a favor. She took my meal stub and ordered my food. Thanks! I'm hungry now... but the music is still going on.


7:52 PM: Try to check out our free food! Yummy!

8:17 PM: The program ended unnoticed. The host is nowhere to be found and the crew are now packing out the instruments in the stage. Fine.

8:22 PM: Ricky's now going. I have to return the laptop.

Friday, July 31, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to GMA: Don't politicize cheaper meds issue

President Arroyo’s tirades in her State of the Nation Address prove she used the Cheaper Medicines Law for politics and not to benefit the people, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said.

"Bakit hindi na lang niya pinirmahan ang executive order na nagka-kalahati ng presyo ng mgamahalagang gamot at inantay pa niya ang kanyang SONA bago ianunsiyo na pipirmahan na niya (Why didn’t she just sign the executive order that cuts by half the price of essential medicines and she waited to announce this in her SONA?)," Roxas asked during an interview on radio stations.

"Halatang pulitika lang ang dahilan (It’s obvious that politics is the reason)," he said.
Roxas said while he is heartened by the President’s tirades against him as it made his opposition to her government’s bad policies and practices stand out, his only real concern is to see that cheap medicines reach the market.
"Ang gusto ko lang ay talagang bumaba na ang presyo ng mga gamot para ma-benepisyo na ang ating mga kababayan (What I really want is for cheap medicines to benefit our people)," he said.
At the same time, Roxas said President Arroyo has no one to blame if she considers the Cheaper Medicines Law the "weaker" version of what it should be.
"Hindi pala niya gusto iyong bersyon nung batas (If that was not the version that she wanted), why did she not veto it?," asked Roxas, who is the primary author of the Universally Accessible, Quality and Cheaper Medicines law.

"Para sa isang Pangulo na napaka-poderoso, napaka-makapangyarihan, na hindi masabi na hindi ito ang gusto ko, na ito pala ang gusto, aba, napakahina naman niya (For a president who is very powerful, for her not to be able to say that this was not what she wanted and that she wanted another thing instead, for her not to be able to say this, well, it just shows that she’s a weak president)," he added.
He insisted the proposal of President Arroyo’s ally Rep. Ferjenel Biron to create a price regulatory board will corrupt the process of lowering medicine prices as has happened always under the Arroyo administration.

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SM City Cebu to launch free WiFi this July 31

Good news to all people who shop, dine and spend their day in SM City Cebu! In partnership with PhilCom, SM City Cebu will be launching today, July 31, 2009, a mall-wide free Wifi and the Mar Roxas 2010 Blogger will be there together with the Cebu Bloggers Society.


Be sure to register at www.smcitycebuwifi.com if you want to join the event.

Kitakits today!

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