File charges, Palace dares ex-PCSO chief

Sunday, July 10, 2011
MANILA — Instead of going to the media with his accusations, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Manuel “Manoling” Morato “should practice what he preaches” and file the appropriate charges in court, the Palace said on Saturday.
“Mr. Morato chose to ventilate claims against chairman (Margie) Juico in press conferences and briefings. He had ample time in the Senate to give his counter allegations but he did not do so,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over government-run dzRB radio.
“He kept saying that he is ready to face them in court but is also fair that he extends the same courtesy to the present board,” she added.
Facing the media on Friday, Morato and other PCSO board members said that the financial report examined by the Commission on Audit (COA) in 2009 which was later found to contain fund disbursement irregularities were tampered.
The 2009 COA report prompted a Senate investigation on the alleged donation of luxury vehicles to bishops, ambulances to government officials, misuse of the PCSO’s intelligence funds, and the overpricing of advertisements.
“He (Morato) should practice what he preaches. Kung paulit-paulit niyang sinasabi (If he keeps on saying) to this current PCSO board na file the charges if they have the evidence, we could very well say the same for him,” Valte said.
Malacanang, meanwhile, said it will let the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to decide on proposals for former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte to become a state witness in case plunder charges are filed against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Senator Franklin Drilon had said Uriarte may turn into a state witness after disclosing in a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing that the PCSO’s intelligence funds were used for other purposes from 2008 to 2010.
Such fund releases were approved by then President Arroyo.
“I cannot say at the moment if it will be an option because that will be up to the prosecutors of the case. There are certain requirements before one can be considered a state witness; first, the person has to be least guilty and second, there should be no direct evidence to prove the case other than testimony of the person who is supposed to be a state witness,” Valte said.
The Office of the Ombudsman will launch its own probe on the allegations made in the Senate committee hearing on the misuse of PCSO’s intelligence funds. Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro had created a fact-finding panel to look into Uriarte’s testimonies.
The Bureau of Immigration on Friday placed Uriarte and former PCSO public relations manager Manuel Garcia on its watchlist to prevent her from leaving the country without travel clearance from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
The Palace said such move is not an overreaction from the BI since the DOJ is only “being prudent” considering the gravity of the accusations against the two.
Remain partners
Valte said the mess over the PCSO’s donation of service utility vehicles (SUV) to some bishops will not stop the partnership between the government and the Catholic Church in assisting the country’s poor.
She said the partnership between the state and the church is not the issues but the utilization of PCSO’s funds.
On the other hand, San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto clarified Saturday that bishops are “just conduits” of donations extended by the PCSO.
“Our bishops and clergy are just conduits of these donations the Church receives from donors like PCSO. Doon sa mga Pajero ay wala akong alam diyan and I am not one of the recipients,” he said.
Bishops who received the questionable SUVs were Diocese of Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos; Zamboanga Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate Archbishop Romulo Valles; Archdiocese of Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo; Diocese of Bangued, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian; Roman Catholic Prelate of Isabela, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad; Apostolic Vicariate Bontoc Bishop Rodolfo Beltran; and Caritas Nueva Segovia (Ilocos Sur) Archbishop Ernesto Antolin Salgado. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jovi de Leon of Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/10/file-charges-palace-dares-ex-pcso-chief-165987

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com