Aquino allies ‘killing freedom of information bill’

Monday, November 7, 2011
THE administration is “killing” the freedom of information (FOI) bill “softly”, a lawmaker said Monday after President Benigno Aquino III’s allies in Congress decided to give him more time to study the matter further.
Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino made these remarks on Monday, adding the President “is set not to approve the FOI bill and is now trying to condition the minds of the people.”
“As can be gleaned from the statements of majority of his allies, they are following Malacanang’s lead in trying to kill the bill,” he said. “The President would rather continue the practice of withholding vital information from the public.”
The FOI measure, which will allow easier access to government records, was excluded in the priority bills set by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac).
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier appealed to his colleagues to give President Aquino additional time to study the bill’s provisions so that the executive could come up with its own version. He said the House of Representatives would rather wait for the executive’s version to avoid wasting time in the committee level.
Aquino voted in favor of the FOI measure when he was still a member of the Senate in the 14th Congress.
“Congress has bended back too far on the FOI bill. The Committee on Public Information has delayed its deliberations and even watered down the bill just to accommodate President Aquino’s concerns. But now, he still does not want it approved and has even rallied his allies against it,” the party-list lawmaker added.
Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, chairman of the House panel, earlier told reporters that the FOI measure is still being consolidated.
The FOI bill would need to pass the committee level before being sent to the plenary for debates, and approval in second and third reading. If it passes the Senate, the consolidated version should be ratified by both chambers.
In the 14th Congress, House members failed to ratify the FOI bill due to quorum problems.
For his part, Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II said there should be “reasonable limitations” so as to avoid abuse once an FOI law is implemented.
In Malacanang, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the executive continues to conduct dialogue with stakeholders regarding the FOI bill.
He said they just had finished discussions with Senator Allan Peter Cayetano regarding the matter.
“The FOI bill, there is one presently in the House and we finished our discussions with Senator (Alan Peter) Cayetano and we’re still addressing some of the concerns and hopefully, we’ll be able to come up with something,” the Palace official said.
Asked if the bill is expected to be pushed within the year, he said, “We don’t know yet. I cannot put a period there. Undersecretary Manolo Quezon is in discussions with the stakeholders at this point.”
As the session in Congress resumes next week, Lacierda said President Aquino would expect their allies to fast-track the administration’s priority bills.
“We expect the House and the Senate leadership to act on those priority bills that we have filed before them,” he said. (Kathrina Alvarez/Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/11/07/aquino-allies-killing-freedom-information-bill-189219

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink. Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest. With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.

Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines. Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines

To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event. The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision. Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service. Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party. A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.

There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin. Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Things to do in Clark Pampanga and Angeles City: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. Many people already know that 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:

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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