Page 10 - LM Confidential Issue September 2014

Philippines
Emergency
powers still an
Aquino option
President Benigno Aquino has not given up on seeking emergency powers from Congress to address the energy crisis, Malacañang said.
But Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made it clear that such powers are not connected with initiatives to open the Constitution to political amendments that would pave the way for allowing the President to run for a second term.
“For the malicious, this has nothing to do with the Charter change some quarters are pushing,” Coloma said in a radio interview.
He added that they were aware of the urgency of resolving the energy crisis and had looked into the options suggested by Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla.
Petilla “already said the President is looking for options, where industry players can help in,” Coloma said.
“We assure the public that the government is doing everything to make sure there is a sufficient supply of electricity,” he added.
There is enough capacity to cover the supposed shortfall in the energy supply for summer of 2015, he said.
Colmenares said even if there is a power shortfall, the government can tap state-owned power plants like the Malaya power plant and the Sucat power plant.
“This emergency power is even probably designed so that Malacanang can dip its fingers again on the Malampaya fund, the spending of which was already restricted by the November 2013 decision of the Supreme Court,” Zarate said.
Look
Ma, No
Gas
Several e-trikes are tested along Molino Blvd. in Bacoor City, in Cavite. The e-trikes run on batteries.
Palace On Smear Drive to Sabotage 2016 Rivals
Enzo Pineda’s advice to artista hopefuls: ‘It’s okay to fail, but it’s
not okay to give up on your dreams’
Unang nakilala si Enzo Pineda bilang First Prince ng StarStruck V, kung saan tinanghal
bilang Ultimate Male and Female Survivors naman sina Steven Silva at Sarah Lahbati. First Princess na- man noon si Diva Mon- telaba, at Second Prince si Rocco Nacino.
ikinuwento ni Enzo kung paano nabago ng Star-
Struck ang buhay niya.
“I’m really thankful kasi ito ‘yung way para
makapasok ako sa GMA, makilala ako ng mga tao, magkaroon ako ng fans, and para mag- karoon ako ng career lalong-lalo na I am very passionate in acting, dancing, and hosting.”
Dagdag pa niya, “Kung walang StarStruck, I wouldn’t be here right now or I wouldn’t be living one of my dreams which is being an ac- tor. Ito ang naging stepping stone ko, naging training ground ko para maging ganap at magaling na artista.” Hindi daw naging biro ang pinagdaan niya sa StarStruck. “They really train you. Hindi ka nila papakawalan kung hindi ka pa marunong. It’s not the easiest, but if you get in StarStruck, your life will change and it will change for the better.” Any particular experience does he consider as the most memorable? “Siguro ang most memorable moment ko was ‘yung dalawa na lang kami ni Steven sa stage, where hinihintay na ng mga tao kung sino ang mananalo bilang Ultimate Male Survivor. Masarap sa feeling ‘yun dahil nung time na ‘yun, everyone was shouting our names. Maririnig mo talaga sa buong Araneta [Coliseum] na sinisigaw kung sino ang gusto nilang manalo,” he shares.
Ngayong malapit nang bumalik ang natur- ang reality-based artista search, may payo si Enzo sa mga nais mag-audition at pumasok sa mundo ng showbiz.
“Make sure if you’re joining StarStruck, you’re not just up for the fame. You’d want to join because passion niyo talaga ang umarte, kumanta, sumayaw, mag-host. Always stay humble, and always remember that it’s okay
to fail, but it’s not okay to give up on your dreams.”
A political activist said President Benigno Aquino 3rd has begun a smear campaign against Vice President Jejomar Binay and other possible presidential contenders from the opposition to sabotage their chances of winning.
“It is clearly hypocritical for President Aquino to unleash his attack dogs against VP Binay and other leaders of the opposition, while shielding himself and his allies from similar demands and mechanisms for accountability,” Dr. Carol Araullo, chairperson of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), which has anti-government leanings, said in a statement.
Araullo also said Aquino was obviously behind the summary dismissal by the administration-dominated Congress of the three impeachment complaints against him,
Bayan was among the complainants in the three articles of impeachment against the President. All three were dismissed for lack of substance.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. quickly dispelled the accusation, saying the 2016 elections has never entered their minds.
Araullo said the President enjoys even larger control over the Senate, where the family of Binay is being investigated for alleged fraud. The Senate inquiry is clearly “politically motivated,” she said.
“The administration-led Senate has had only one inquiry on the P144-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program [DAP] in contrast to the three inquiries already held regarding the P2.7-billion Makati parking building,” Araullo said, referring to the alleged overpricing of the Makati parking facility which is the focus of the Senate investigation.
She predicted more “attacks” against Binay to diminish his chances in the elections.
“Vice President Jejomar Binay’s early public announcement of his presidential bid and his high approval ratings certainly invites moves by his opponents in 2016 to question his track record as a public official, most especially expose possible wrongdoing along the lines of graft and corruption,” Araullo said.
Coloma argued that President Aquino had no hand in Binay’s predicament.
Araullo said Bayan has “no illusions” that the “latest selective investigation and prosecution of the political opposition” would end up with a better government, neither it is part of an honest and thoroughgoing effort to clean up government.
The persecution of the political opposition is partly aimed at “perpetuating and defending the plunder of the national coffers under his watch through the redesigned pork barrel system,” Araullo said.
Coloma also said Malacañang sees nothing wrong with Binay announcing his intention to tap business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan as his running mate in 2016.
He said he respects Binay’s decision and that it is the right of the Vice President to make public his political plans.
Binay has said Pangilinan is among the personalities he is considering to be his running mate, citing Pangilinan’s track record as a “successful businessman.”
Pangilinan has declared he will not run for any government position, saying “there is no political blood that runs through my veins. I believe I can serve our people better some other way.”
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L. M. Confidential SEPTEMBER 2014