House leader scores senators in PCSO vehicle probe

July 15, 2011
HOUSE Minority Leader Edcel Lagman on Thursday criticized senators who seemed to have shelved the issue regarding questionable vehicle donations received by Catholic bishops from the government sweepstakes office.
Members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee overlooked the fact that the Catholic Church is wealthy and can well-afford to finance its charity works without getting financial assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Lagman said in a press statement.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate panel, said after Wednesday’s hearing that there was “nothing irregular” about the vehicles donated by the PCSO to the church leaders.
After being summoned by the committee, Bishops Juan de Dios Pueblos, Leopoldo Jaucian, Auxiliary Bishop David William Antonio (representing Bishop Ernesto Salgado), Rodolfo Beltran, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop Romulo Valles and Martin Jumoad explained to senators that such vehicles were used for secular outreach programs.
“The contrite demeanor of the concerned bishops, capped by an irrevocable offer to return the controversial vehicles, mollified the senators and the prelates got away with nary a parking ticket,” Lagman said.
Elizabeth Angsioco, national chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), earlier disclosed that the various entities of the Catholic Church have at least P20 billion in stocks in seven corporations alone.
Angsioco said, “The money they used to buy the controversial vehicles is a pittance compared to the billions they have idly lying in stocks. If they needed the vehicles, they could very well afford to buy even a thousand of those.”
The minority leader also pointed out that the solicitation or acceptance of PCSO donations by bishops is “hypocritical because the Church is supposed to be against any and all forms of gambling, while the funds of the PCSO come from gambling operations, albeit legalized.”
The Commission on Audit (COA) had questioned the distribution of vehicles for what seemed to be violations of the doctrine of separation of the Church and the State. No implementing statute, however, can impose sanctions for violating such doctrine.
The constitutional injunction against the appropriation of public money or property for the use or benefit of any religious “is not lifted or excused just because the government assistance is to promote the Church’s or minister’s charity activities,” Lagman argued.
He added that the ban allows a limited and specific exception when the appropriation or property donated is for a priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary “who is assigned to the armed forces or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.”
“Since the subject bishops do not fall under the exception, they are necessarily included in the prohibition of the general rule,” he said.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/15/house-leader-scores-senators-pcso-vehicle-probe-166945

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. 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.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

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