Senate urged to ratify treaty on legal aid with 3 countries

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima has asked the Senate to immediately approve the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with China, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland for better cooperation in matters of arresting transnational crimes and other criminal matters.
The MLAT is a bilateral mechanism that allows the Philippines and other contracting party governments to assist each other in the investigative, prosecutorial and judicial processes related to criminal matters.
The Department of Justice is the lead government agency that coordinates with their foreign counterparts in matters of law enforcement, investigation and prosecution.

“The Philippines stands to benefit significantly from both treaties as they will enhance our cooperation both with China and the United Kingdom in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of crimes,” de Lima said in a three-page letter to Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations.

De Lima told Legarda that the proposed MLATs with China, UK and Northern Ireland contain the same provisions as the MLATs with other countries, particularly the United States, that also include, among others, cooperation with the requesting party in taking statements of witnesses, providing information and documents, locating or identifying persons or items, service of documents, making arrangements for persons to give evidence or assist in criminal investigations, or proceedings.

She added that the proposed bilateral agreements contained provisions such as assistance in tracing, restraining, forfeiting and confiscating the proceeds and instrumentalities of criminal activities such as money laundering and arrest the escalation of transnational crimes such as human and arms trafficking, drug trafficking and terrorism.

MLAT would also improve the effectiveness of law enforcement and prosecution authorities of the contracting parties in the prevention of criminal offenses, de Lima added.

This mechanism is different from the extradition treaty, which provides for the legal framework for either country to obtain custody of criminal offenders who have sought refuge in the other’s territory.

Aside from MLATs with fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the US, the Philippines has existing MLATs with Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, Spain, and Switzerland.

“This department, therefore, supports the Senate’s early concurrence to the subject MLATs as they will allow the parties thereto to overcome the barriers of sovereignty that hinder them from providing each other effective assistance in criminal matters,” she said.

De Lima noted that it was through MLAT with the US that the Philippine government was able to recover last year the amount of US$132,000 representing the proceeds of sale of the forfeited US property of former military comptroller Lieutenant Colonel Jacinto Ligot and his family.

Early this year, US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., himself also turned over to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales a US$100,000 check, which constitutes the amount of money confiscated by the US authorities from the sons of former military comptroller Major General Carlos Garcia.

On the other hand, reports said the UK government welcomed the mutual legal cooperation with the Philippines as it will prevent British sex offenders or pedophiles from targeting the country as its next favored destination.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/04/senate-urged-ratify-treaty-legal-aid-3-countries-209506
Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center located in Clark Philippines. Reasons given include good selection of fine vintage as well as affordable wines for everyday drinking also. This wine shop also has a beautiful roof deck lawn which serves as a nice venue for outdoor alfresco dining, cocktail parties and small functions and events. There are five large wine cellars that contain some of the world’s finest wines and rare vintages as well as wines that are excellent value that every wine shoppers love to discover. This wine shop in Clark is frequently visited not only by local residents but also tourists arriving in the Philippines looking to pick up a few bottles of good wine that are not normally available in their home town.

Subic is well known for diving, the sea and water sports that come with the territory. However one thing that Subic is not famous for is dining options. For years, visitors to Subic have complained about the quality of the restaurants and dining establishments but it is only until recently that travelers to Subic discovered the best restaurant to wine and dine, even for visitors with families and children. Now most residents of Subic and also Tarlac and Baguio know of this wine shop in Clark as the best place to buy wines in the Philippines and certainly the best wine shop in Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

The next time you are in Pampanga and are looking for things to do in Clark Philippines spend some time to do a little wine shopping at the most famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

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:

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