Nearly 300 Filipinos fleeing Syria fly back home

MANILA — Nearly 300 Filipino workers fleeing the civil war in Syria have returned home in the biggest single repatriation negotiated between the two governments.
The workers, all of them young women who worked as babysitters and maids, say they were scared for their safety and could not sleep at night because of aerial bombardments. They sought shelter at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus and last week, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario traveled to Syria to organize their evacuation.
After welcoming them at the Manila airport Tuesday, del Rosario said he was able to secure a waiver of exit fees and other bureaucratic formalities for the workers. He said up to 600 more want to return home.
The rest of an estimated 3,000 Filipino workers decided to stay in Syria. (AP)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/09/11/nearly-300-filipinos-fleeing-syria-fly-back-home-242180

Puno resigns from DILGMANILA (3rd Update) — Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno stepped down from his post Tuesday amid allegations of his involvement in an anomalous multibillion peso firearms deal.
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Puno, a shooting buddy of President Benigno Aquino III, said he resigned to give incoming Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III a free hand in forming his new team at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Tuesday afternoon that the President has accepted Puno’s resignation letter, which the beleaguered official submitted to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa last Friday.
Lacierda said that Puno’s resignation is commendable.
“Resignation is always a selfless act and that’s something that has always been—especially in terms of, in the midst of a difficult situation. It certainly is commendable that the official concerned resigns on his own accord,” he said.
Lacierda confirmed that Aquino and Puno met Monday but said he was not privy to the details of the meeting.
The Palace official said Puno’s resignation “cleared the air” in the apparent special treatment of the President on his close appointees.
“This is a development that certainly would put to rest all these accusations of the fact that Undersecretary Puno is close to the President and he’s being coddled and that’s no,” he said.
Puno, in a statement, thanked the President for his trust and confidence “in giving me the opportunity to serve our country and people.”
The resigned official said that despite being subjected to personal attacks in media, he was duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection due to the confidential nature of his job.
“Violating the confidential nature of my duties may expose people to danger or jeopardize critical operations,” he said.
“This is why I have opted not to react to the speculative accusations that have been hurled against me by some media organizations,” he added.
Puno said he believed that he has carried out his assigned duties as undersecretary for peace and order “to the best of my ability.”
“When the President asked me to serve in the DILG, he emphasized that we need to strengthen the institution so that our uniformed personnel will become truly servants and protectors of our people. For the past two years, I have carried out specific assignments in accordance with the President’s mandate,” he said.
Among the reforms he had introduced include the transparency of procurement and bidding process.
“We have streamlined these processes to achieve the President’s objective of getting ‘the biggest bang for the buck’ in providing basic equipment for enabling our uniformed personnel to perform their tasks effectively,” he added.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has set an investigation to tackle issues implicating Puno in the botched purchase of assault rifles for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Puno reportedly went to Israel in May upon the invitation of one of the bidders and that the specifications were supposedly tailor-made for a certain party.
The hearing was also scheduled to give Puno a chance to shed light on alleged break-in at the condominium unit and office of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo last August 19, a day after the esteemed official went missing in a tragic plane crash off Masbate.
Before his death, Robredo allegedly received a report implicating Puno in the supposed anomalous firearms deal.
But prior to the inquiry, which starts on Friday, September 14, Puno offered this chronology of events that transpired on August 18 and 19, when he allegedly tried to enter the condominium unit and office of Robredo:
Saturday, August 18, 2012
8:45 p.m. (Mactan Cebu International Airport) — Boarded the Cebu Pacific flight to Manila. When I was about to board, the President called and instructed me to secure the offices of Secretary Robredo. I relayed the instructions to Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, deputy chief of the Office of Internal Security in Secretary Robredo’s office.
10:30 p.m. (NAIA 3 Terminal) — Arrived in Manila
11:30 p.m. PNP Director-General’s Quarters, Camp Crame “White House” — Proceeded to the PNP Director-General’s Quarters. Among those present there were Usec. Austere Panadero, PNP Director-General Nicanor Bartolome, Ms. Joan de la Cruz, a member of Secretary Robredo’s staff and S/Supt. Tanseco. The President called again and I reported the offices have been secured.
Sunday, August 19
9 a.m. — Supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s Office at DILG Quezon City accompanied by the following: S/Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, Chief Inspector Apollo Togonon and other security officers of Sec. Robredo.
9:30 a.m. — Informed by Superintendent Tanseco that there were documents inside the residence/condominium of the Secretary.
10 a.m. — Led team to secure Secretary Robredo’s condominium unit; stayed in condominium lobby; instructed team to sign condominium log book to document our presence; left condominium after about 20 minutes.
10:30 a.m. — Arrived at Camp Crame and supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left Camp Crame after about 15 minutes.
11:30 a.m. — Arrived at National Police Commission (Napolcom) building in Makati City; supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left after about 20 minutes.
3:30 p.m. — Accompanied Secretary of Justice and Presidential Security Group team that performed inspection, sealing and securing of Secretary Robredo’s: a) DILG office; b) condominium unit; c) Camp Crame office; and d) Napolcom office. Entire operations were completed at around 7:00 pm.
President Aquino confirmed over the weekend that he asked Puno to secure the documents inside Robredo’s office since the late Cabinet official was investigating sensitive cases, including the arms deal, prior to his death. He said, however, that he did not order Puno to go to the late secretary’s condominium.
Lacierda believed that Puno did not do anything wrong in securing the offices of Robredo and he only followed the instruction of the President.
Sought for comment, Senator Santiago said the hearing on Friday will push through despite Puno’s resignation.
“He still has to answer the many questions in the mind of the public,” she said.
The hearing will take place at 10:30 a.m. of Friday, September 14.
Also invited to participate were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, newly appointed Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, retired Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, wife of the late secretary.
Robredo’s wife Leni, however, sent a letter to Santiago’s office that she can’t attend the hearing.
“She (Leni) is afraid that such a very public event concerning her husband’s work might cause too much pain, stress for her family,” said lawyer Domnina Rances, head executive assistant to the late secretary. (Jill Beltran/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
MANILA (3rd Update) — Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno stepped down from his post Tuesday amid allegations of his involvement in an anomalous multibillion peso firearms deal.
Related Articles
• DILG appointment ‘won’t drive wedge’ between Binay, Roxas
• Duterte: Roxas is more qualified to head DILG
• Palace expects ‘smooth sailing’ confirmation of Roxas, Abaya
• CA vows speedy confirmation of Roxas, Abaya
• Group hits Roxas appointment as DILG chief
• Roxas replaces Robredo in DILG
• Aquino schoolmate being eyed as next DILG chief
• Vice President Binay won’t ask for DILG post
• Rama wants Ace as DILG chief
• Robredo replacement to be known after funeral
Puno, a shooting buddy of President Benigno Aquino III, said he resigned to give incoming Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III a free hand in forming his new team at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Tuesday afternoon that the President has accepted Puno’s resignation letter, which the beleaguered official submitted to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa last Friday.
Lacierda said that Puno’s resignation is commendable.
“Resignation is always a selfless act and that’s something that has always been—especially in terms of, in the midst of a difficult situation. It certainly is commendable that the official concerned resigns on his own accord,” he said.
Lacierda confirmed that Aquino and Puno met Monday but said he was not privy to the details of the meeting.
The Palace official said Puno’s resignation “cleared the air” in the apparent special treatment of the President on his close appointees.
“This is a development that certainly would put to rest all these accusations of the fact that Undersecretary Puno is close to the President and he’s being coddled and that’s no,” he said.
Puno, in a statement, thanked the President for his trust and confidence “in giving me the opportunity to serve our country and people.”
The resigned official said that despite being subjected to personal attacks in media, he was duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection due to the confidential nature of his job.
“Violating the confidential nature of my duties may expose people to danger or jeopardize critical operations,” he said.
“This is why I have opted not to react to the speculative accusations that have been hurled against me by some media organizations,” he added.
Puno said he believed that he has carried out his assigned duties as undersecretary for peace and order “to the best of my ability.”
“When the President asked me to serve in the DILG, he emphasized that we need to strengthen the institution so that our uniformed personnel will become truly servants and protectors of our people. For the past two years, I have carried out specific assignments in accordance with the President’s mandate,” he said.
Among the reforms he had introduced include the transparency of procurement and bidding process.
“We have streamlined these processes to achieve the President’s objective of getting ‘the biggest bang for the buck’ in providing basic equipment for enabling our uniformed personnel to perform their tasks effectively,” he added.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has set an investigation to tackle issues implicating Puno in the botched purchase of assault rifles for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Puno reportedly went to Israel in May upon the invitation of one of the bidders and that the specifications were supposedly tailor-made for a certain party.
The hearing was also scheduled to give Puno a chance to shed light on alleged break-in at the condominium unit and office of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo last August 19, a day after the esteemed official went missing in a tragic plane crash off Masbate.
Before his death, Robredo allegedly received a report implicating Puno in the supposed anomalous firearms deal.
But prior to the inquiry, which starts on Friday, September 14, Puno offered this chronology of events that transpired on August 18 and 19, when he allegedly tried to enter the condominium unit and office of Robredo:
Saturday, August 18, 2012
8:45 p.m. (Mactan Cebu International Airport) — Boarded the Cebu Pacific flight to Manila. When I was about to board, the President called and instructed me to secure the offices of Secretary Robredo. I relayed the instructions to Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, deputy chief of the Office of Internal Security in Secretary Robredo’s office.
10:30 p.m. (NAIA 3 Terminal) — Arrived in Manila
11:30 p.m. PNP Director-General’s Quarters, Camp Crame “White House” — Proceeded to the PNP Director-General’s Quarters. Among those present there were Usec. Austere Panadero, PNP Director-General Nicanor Bartolome, Ms. Joan de la Cruz, a member of Secretary Robredo’s staff and S/Supt. Tanseco. The President called again and I reported the offices have been secured.
Sunday, August 19
9 a.m. — Supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s Office at DILG Quezon City accompanied by the following: S/Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, Chief Inspector Apollo Togonon and other security officers of Sec. Robredo.
9:30 a.m. — Informed by Superintendent Tanseco that there were documents inside the residence/condominium of the Secretary.
10 a.m. — Led team to secure Secretary Robredo’s condominium unit; stayed in condominium lobby; instructed team to sign condominium log book to document our presence; left condominium after about 20 minutes.
10:30 a.m. — Arrived at Camp Crame and supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left Camp Crame after about 15 minutes.
11:30 a.m. — Arrived at National Police Commission (Napolcom) building in Makati City; supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left after about 20 minutes.
3:30 p.m. — Accompanied Secretary of Justice and Presidential Security Group team that performed inspection, sealing and securing of Secretary Robredo’s: a) DILG office; b) condominium unit; c) Camp Crame office; and d) Napolcom office. Entire operations were completed at around 7:00 pm.
President Aquino confirmed over the weekend that he asked Puno to secure the documents inside Robredo’s office since the late Cabinet official was investigating sensitive cases, including the arms deal, prior to his death. He said, however, that he did not order Puno to go to the late secretary’s condominium.
Lacierda believed that Puno did not do anything wrong in securing the offices of Robredo and he only followed the instruction of the President.
Sought for comment, Senator Santiago said the hearing on Friday will push through despite Puno’s resignation.
“He still has to answer the many questions in the mind of the public,” she said.
The hearing will take place at 10:30 a.m. of Friday, September 14.
Also invited to participate were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, newly appointed Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, retired Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, wife of the late secretary.
Robredo’s wife Leni, however, sent a letter to Santiago’s office that she can’t attend the hearing.
“She (Leni) is afraid that such a very public event concerning her husband’s work might cause too much pain, stress for her family,” said lawyer Domnina Rances, head executive assistant to the late secretary. (Jill Beltran/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex) http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/09/11/puno-resigns-dilg-242179
Many tourists and residents of Manila traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Pampanga Angeles City, Clark Philippines are surprised to find a a large wine shop so near Manila right in the heart of Pampanga, just 70 minutes from Manila. Even residents of Subic travel to Clark via ScTex to do some wine shopping in this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center, a project of Hong Kong-based Yats International.

Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most guests would stop by this famous wine shop called Clark Wine Center to bring home a few good bottles of fine vintage wine also. Other visitors may find the wine selections in some of the restaurants in Angeles City Pampanga to be less than interesting, so they stop by this wine shop near Angeles City Pampanga Clark Philippines, buy some good wines and bring these bottles of good vintage wines to the restaurants so they can enjoy the dinner.

Yats Leisure Philippines

Public wine tastings are held by this well known wine shop of Pampanga 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. This is one the things to do in Manila and Pampanga.

Tourists and residents of Manila travel out of town to the north on a short getaway look for the best place in Clark to buy some fine vintage wine to bring home after their holidays and vacations. Many find a top rated wine shop called Clark Wine Center to be an exciting place to do some shopping in Clark Pampanga. This famous wine shop is highly recommended for visitors going to Clark Pampanga to drink good wine, relax and unwind with friends and families. This frequently visited wine shop is known by tourist and visitors to Pampanga, Angeles city, Subic and Clark Philippines as a cool place to hang out in Clark. Many attend the regular wine tasting held either outdoor on the roof deck or in indoor on the second floor above the wine shop. The place has good atmosphere for a private wine tasting party or a small night out gatherings for business or social event.

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

Tel: 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 Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

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:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

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

Buy wine in Subic and Tarlac, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points. Wine lovers in Philippines can find good wines from major wine regions around the world in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of fine vintage wines from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe. Rare vintage wines from Vega Sicilia, Biondi Santi, Sassicaia as well as the Ice wine from Germany can be found in good wine shops around Manila. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila. If you are thinking of buying wines to give as gift in the Philippines, then contact Yats Wine Cellars now because they offer special vintage wines suitable as gift at all price points. Since most of these wines are not available in Manila, these wine gifts are excellent choices for corporate gifts as well as wine gifts for personal and social purposes. These can be wines or wine baskets