Senate panel vows respectful treatment of bishops

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
BISHOPS testifying before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Wednesday over vehicles donated by the government sweepstakes office need not worry about being grilled by senators, its committee chairman said Tuesday.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III said the committee will give the seven bishops an opportunity to air their side on sports utility vehicles that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated for their use.
The Commission on Audit has questioned the donations, saying they may have violated the constitutional ban on government spending for the benefit of religious groups.
“We expect them to tell their side of the story, so we’ll find out what really happened,” he told reporters Tuesday.
Guingona said senators may have questions for the bishops but that these questions should be asked with respect.
He said the committee will still probe the priests but said he did not “expect antagonism, there should be no reason (for that).”
Among those expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday morning is Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, who wrote then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009 to request for a new 4×4 vehicle.
He said the Mitsubishi Montero would be used for the social and spiritual programs of his diocese. In a request made earlier that year, Pueblos mentioned that the new vehicle could be Arroyo’s birthday gift to him.
Also expected to attend are Bishop Rodolfo Beltran (Apostolic Vicariate Bontoc-Lagawe), Bishop Leopoldo Juacian (Diocese of Bangued, Abra) Bishop Martin Jumoad (Roman Catholic Prelate of Isabela,Basilan), Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (Archdiocese of Cotabato), Archbishop Ernesto Salgado (Caritas Nueva Segovia), and Archbishop Romulo Valles (Zamboanga Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate).
The seven have been dubbed the “Pajero 7” for allegedly buying Mitsubishi Pajeros with PCSO money.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has denied that any of the bishops bought Pajeros, adding the vehicles bought were used for Church charity programs.
PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico said the people may have mistaken the Montero, Toyota Grandia, Mitsubishi Strada, and Isuzu Crosswind for Pajeros.
On Wednesday, the CBCP apologized for the pain it caused Catholics and the confusion “because of the apparent inconsistency of our actions with our pastoral preaching.”
“We assure you that the bishops concerned are ready to accept responsibility for their action and to face the consequences if it would be proven unlawful, anomalous, and unconstitutional,” it said.
Aside from the bishops, former PCSO public relations manager Manuel Garcia is also expected to testify before the committee.
Garcia, who has been accused of taking a 40-percent cut from all PCSO ad placements and media projects, was at the Senate hearing Thursday. He was excused, however, after he invoked his right to be assisted by counsel.
Also on Thursday, the Bureau of Internal Revenue charged him with tax evasion. The case was prompted by personal checks and deposit slips that Alexander Quisumbing and Ludovico Yuseco, who have accused Garcia of taking kickbacks, showed to the Office of the Ombudsman. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/12/senate-panel-vows-respectful-treatment-bishops-166459

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:

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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