Aquino urged to let Puno go amid controversy

Sunday, September 9, 2012
MANILA – A lawmaker allied with the administration advised President Benigno Aquino III to let go of Undersecretary Rico Puno amid the alleged controversy involving the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) official.
Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr., an administration ally, said the more prudent thing to do is to remove Puno from the DILG, who is a subject of an investigation by the late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo over alleged controversy on the purchase of assault rifles for the Philippine National Police (PNP), an agency under the DILG.
A day after Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate last August 18, Puno and several police officials have reportedly tried to gain entry into Robredo’s condominium unit in Quezon City. The government was still conducting a search and rescue operation at that time.
Before his death, Robredo allegedly received a report implicating Puno in the supposed anomalous firearms deal.
“I think the investigation on alleged irregularities implicating Usec Puno must continue. That’s the tuwid [right] thing to do. The investigation, if not pursued, would invite suspicion of a conspiracy theory on his [Robredo] death,” said Baguilat, a deputy spokesperson of Aquino’s Liberal Party.
Baguilat, a close friend of Robredo, is also one of the first members of the Kaya Natin movement for good governance, along with the late DILG Secretary.
Agham party-list Representative Angelo Palmones, meanwhile, called for Puno’s resignation.
“Usec Puno may be PNoy’s [Aquino] best shooting buddy, but he’s not a true friend. If Puno is indeed concerned and supportive to PNoy’s governance, he must have delicadeza to resign now,” he said in a text message.
The DILG official once offered his voluntary resignation two years ago when he was linked to illegal gambling and in the August 23 botched hostage crisis in Manila, which killed several Chinese tourists.
In a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing two weeks later, Puno was quoted as saying: “I was about to resign but the President told me to continue on.”
Puno’s fate hangs as Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II is set to take over DILG.
After his appointment was announced by Malacañang, Roxas himself announced that Puno is out of DILG. However, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. said the undersecretary remains with the agency.
In a recent ambush interview, Puno said he is willing to work with Roxas.
Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Francis Pangilinan, for their part, said that Puno should be given a fair chance of explaining himself in case the reported investigation involves his name.
“If it’s true that there’s already an investigation ongoing, better that we let the process finish first before calling for any resignations,” Pimentel said.
“I am sure the President is on top of this latest controversy and will do what needs to be done to address it,” Pangilinan added.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, meanwhile, challenged Puno to speak up on the issues hounding him.
“Be transparent. If you are innocent, answer the accusations against you. Bakit siya nananahimik? This is all puzzling to me,” Santiago said on Saturday.
Santiago said she will seek an investigation on the “unique and exceptional” powers given to Puno as DILG Undersecretary.
She added the DILG Secretary is usually given the authority over the PNP but in the present administration, the President chose Puno to take control over the police force.
“This case of Undersecretary Puno is completely unique, if not anomalous. I believe that Mr. Rico Puno was able to occupy this unique office of the Undersecretary with his unique or exceptional or anomalous powers because of severe pressure on Mr. Aquino,” Santiago said.
Santiago added that the inquiry will also cover the supposed break-in of Puno into Robredo’s condominium unit.
“That is so suspicious. What on earth was so compelling? Namatayan na ang pamilya [The family has lost one member]. His first instinct should be to sympathize or condole with the family,” she said. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/09/09/aquino-urged-let-puno-go-amid-controversy-241804

Place to go during Holy Week and Easter Holidays in Philippines is Clearwater Resort in Clark Pampanga near Manila where there are plenty of things to do during Easter Holidays and throughout the whole summer too.

Manila residents, local and foreign tourists visiting Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines frequently visit the famous lake of Clark Freeport to unwind and relax. Families with children organize reunion and retreat in the famous Clearwater Resort. During special holidays in the Philippines like Holy Week, Mother’s Day, Father’s day, Halloween, Christmas and New Year, Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind in a good resort in Pampanga. During the annual Philippines Hot Air Balloon Fiesta which is always held in Clark, the best hotels and resorts in Clark are packed with visitors.

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Frequently visited private resort in Manila is Clearwater, highly recommended by travel guide for residents of Manila, local and foreign tourists visiting Clark Pampanga for day trip or overnight stay. Parents enjoy a good round of golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga while children enjoy the outdoor picnic facilities of the best hotel near Manila, Philippines.

Residents of Manila travel out of town to the north in search for highly recommended tourist spots in Clark, Pampanga. There are good places to visit in Pampanga but the best destination for families from Manila is Clark which is located next to Angeles City, the famous nightlife capital of the Philippines. Here in Clark, there are many interesting places to visit and one of the most frequently visited tourist spots is Clearwater Resort and Country Club, widely regarded as the best resort in Pampanga.

Popular beach resort in North Luzon for company outings and family retreats during Holy Week and Easter Holidays this year is Clearwater located in the safe and convenient destination of Pampanga Clark Philippines just 70 minutes from Manila.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

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. 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

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, 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.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.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

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)