CJ to testify next week

Lead defense counsel Justice Serafin Cuevas said in a DZRJ interview that the 5 hostile witnesses will be placed on the stand this week. They are Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Harvey Keh, Rep. Walden Bello, ex-Rep. Rizza Hontiveros Baraquel and Emmanuel Santos. Also due to testify is Justice Sec. Leila de Lima.

Chief Justice Renato Corona will take the stand on May 21 or even later. Justice Cuevas expressed confidence the Chief Justice will be able to answer and explain all issues and questions raised. He insists the $10 million alleged deposit is non existent and is a fabrication. 

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NEDA CHIEF RESIGNS . . Cayetano Paderanga has resigned as NEDA Director General allegedly because of poor health. There has been a widespread criticism on the slow action of NEDA on pending projects. In the beginning, Roberto Romulo had opposed his appointment.

Previous resignations of P-Noy appointees include Jose “Ping” de Jesus as DOTC Secretary, Alberto Romulo as DFA Secretary, Gen. Ernesto Diokno as Bureau of Corrections Director, Angelito Alvarez as Customs Commissioner and Magtanggol Gatdula as NBI Director.

Paderanga announced he was going to resume teaching at a Japanese University.

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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Lakas-NUCD president Sen. Bong Revilla announced that he has asked ex-President Fidel V. Ramos to reassume the leadership role of Lakas-NUCD.

House Minority Leader Danny Suarez and Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa backed the move to reinstall FVR to help rebuild the party.

Lakas-NUCD counts with 10 Governors and 35 Congressmen and many mayors according to Revilla.

Possible senatorial bets of Lakas are Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla and Parañaque Councilor Alma Moreno. 

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GETTING WORSE . . 150 containers of Philippine bananas were held up in Chinese ports. Chinese authorities claim that the bananas showed signs of disease found only in coconuts.

Stephen Antig, president of the Filipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association composed of 18 companies, reported the bananas were left to rot at the ports of Shanghai, Dalian and Xingang.

Banana plantations has been hit by serious problems, lately as several plantations have been raided by the NPA rebels. Some banana growers are now laying off workers.

DA Sec. Proceso Alcala has dispatched a team to China to resolve the problem.

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ERAP STEM CELL THERAPY . . President Joseph “Erap” Estrada revealed that he received stem cell treatment at Villa Medica at Edenkoben, Germany near Frankfurt last March 15. He was accompanied by Sen. Loi Estrada, former Secretary Titoy and Mrs. Pardo and Reggie Lee.

It was a three-day treatment where the blood from the fetus of an unborn lamb is injected into a patient. Erap said he received 14 shots at the buttocks.

The procedure is meant to restore the capacity of a person to produce new cells and rejuvenates him, including giving him energy and making him look younger.

The full effect of the treatment is felt in 3 to 4 months and is reported to cure several illnesses, including control of diabetes and removal of body pains.

It costs 15,000 Euros or about a million pesos.

I also underwent the same stem cell treatment last March 29. People say I look younger. The immediate effects I felt were lower sugar readings, removal of neck pains and stomach aches and a general feeling of more energy.

Other personalities who had stem cell therapy are Rep. Imelda Marcos, Helen Benitez, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Gigi Gonzales, Dr. Tranquilino Elicaño, actor John Knight and Douglas Lu Yn.

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ANTI POOR . . The Administration wants 100% Philhealth coverage. That is good. But why double the premium payment from P1,200 to P2,400? Poor people cannot afford that. It is ironic that the government gives the poor a P900 to P1,300 CCT with its right hand and takes it back with the other hand by increasing the Philhealth premium by P1,200.

No wonder the number of poor Filipinos has increased 10% to 55% and the numbers of hungry people have increased to 4.8 million Filipinos.

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SCHOOL EXECUTIVE KILLED . . Another university vice-president, Dr. Noel Cabrera of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, was killed by two men riding in tandem at Pureza St., Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Last year PUP vice-president Augusto Cesar was also killed in the same area.

NBI agent Atty. Leandro Yanguas was shot dead at Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City by 3 armed men in front of his garage.

Dr. Andres Gumban, 63, was stabbed to death by 2 teenagers he met in social networking site in his house in Bacolod City.

Alister Quintos, 32, security escort of Sec. Leila de Lima, was shot dead in the chest and found in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Faith Jaena, 50 and her 15-year-old daughter were brutally stabbed to death by robbers in Camarin, Caloocan.

Carl Vincent Apura, son of Mayor Nicepuro Apura of Carcar City, Cebu was shot dead in a fraternity war in that City.

Financial consultant Jose Martinez, 42, was killed by 4 robbers who broke into house in Caloocan City.

Too many killings, no answer yet from the DILG and PNP.  

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TIDBITS . . . PCGG Commissioner Gerard Mosquera has been appointed Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon. Arsenio Balisacan is acting NEDA Director General.

All incumbent Congressmen are sure to win reelection.

Councilor Ernix Dionisio will run against Benjamin Asilo in the 1st district. Former Cong. Benny Abante may run against incumbent Rep. Sandy Ocampo.

The Chinese cancellation of tour packages have hit hard hotels and resorts in Boracay and Bohol. Bookings are down 20-30%.

Happy birthday to Cong. Tony Dequiña.

Atty. Rufilo L. Tan, our greeting on his and his wife’s Golden Wedding Anniversary on May 27, 2012.