House not hurrying on FOI, RH approval
THE House Speaker on Thursday expressed doubt that the reproductive health (RH) and freedom of information (FOI) bills will be approved in the plenary before Congress goes on a sine die adjournment next month.
“I’m 100 percent aware that there are certain bills that are of importance which are pending in the mill such as the RH and FOI bills but I doubt very much that they will be completed before we adjourn on June 7,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. told reporters.
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The RH bill—debates of which started since March of last year—has yet to hurdle second reading at the House of Representatives. The FOI bill, meanwhile, is still pending with the House committee on public information.
Belmonte said the contentious issue of the FOI measure is the right-to-reply provision.
“I don’t think anybody seriously objects to the right of reply. The issue is whether it will be in the same bill or not,” he said without taking a position on the proposed law.
Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, whose proposed FOI bill includes a right-to-reply provision for public officials, earlier insisted for its approval rather than House Bill 117 of Camiguin Representative Pedro Romualdo, which proposes a separate law granting the right of reply.
In a previous committee hearing, both lawmakers expressed fear on the possible media abuse on the information they may easily acquire under the FOI law.
But FOI supporter Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona could not have taken place if this transparency measure was passed before.
Corona is accused, among others, of concealing properties and cash deposits in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
“The impeachment is very important when it comes to exacting accountability from the impeached Chief Justice, but we really have to realize that if we passed the FOI long before, we wouldn’t have this issue to begin with,” Tañada said.
On the other hand, Belmonte said the House of Representatives will prioritize the enactment of a law that would increase taxes levied on alcohol and tobacco products.
Voting 46-14, the House committee on ways and means on Wednesday approved increasing sin taxes. For instance, distilled spirits with a net retail price of less than P90 will be taxed with P25 by 2013.
Cigarettes which cost P11.50 or less will soon be sold for P23.50 while cigarettes which cost P11.50 and above will be sold for P31.80 under the measure.
“Sin taxes have hurdled the committee which is actually the most difficult to hurdle but I am the first one to say that it can stand some amendments,” Belmonte said as he urged lawmakers to agree on amendments during the sine die break.
For its part, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) remained hopeful the sin tax bill would gain more supporters once it is deliberated in the House plenary.
“For those who voted against the Abaya bill, we know who they are and we hope they will change their position from protecting interests of the tobacco companies to protecting the interest of the Filipinos,” said FCAP executive director Dr. Maricar Limpin.
If passed into a law, the measure is being seen as a big step to discourage smokers from continuing their vice due to high-priced cigarettes.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/05/10/house-not-hurrying-foi-rh-approval-220769
Good picnic spots can be found in some of the best resorts in Pampanga. The good resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines offer safe and clean outdoor facilities for family bonding and picnics. For many reasons Manila families and residents of Angeles City Pampanga as well as Subic and Baguio consider Clearwater as one of the best resorts in Pampanga and certainly the best hotel in Clark Philippines. Guests of this child friendly resort in Clark Pampanga often relax and unwind by the beautiful lake and beach. Hotel accommodation is also available here in this resort in Clark. Function room for meetings and seminars is also available in this popular resort in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays.
This Pampanga resort hotel is different from other hotels in Clark Philippines or hotel in Angeles City. This Clark Hotel has large outdoor space for children to play and adults to enjoy some peace and quiet in the picnic grounds near the lake. Guests like the Hotel’s café breakfast garden which serves the best breakfast in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort has nice ambience and wide space, much better than the other hotels in Angeles City and Manila Philippines.
Many guests like staying at Clearwater Family Inn Hotel Room in the picnic grounds of this resort in Clark Pampanga. Some like the trees in the resort camping grounds of this place of leisure. One can stay in other hotels in Angeles City but it is not often one finds amenities and ambience like Clark, not like Clearwater Resort in Angeles City Philippines.
Clearwater can best be characterized as a spacious outdoor resort centered around a large fresh-water lake, several large picnic grounds, a campsite, a white-sand beach, some swim spots and some 20-30 cabins and cottages scattered throughout the property. This resort in Pampanga is the kind of hotel that appeals to those who need to get away from the stress of living the city, to relax and unwind in a peaceful and clean environment.
One thing going for Clearwater is its location – Clark, Pampanga – which is not only very conveniently accessible from Manila (just 70 minutes of easy highway driving) but probably the safest destination in all of the Philippines. Yes, Clark has the lowest crime rate of any city in the Philippines. Experienced travelers who frequent the Philippines for business, holidays or vacations know exactly how important safety and security is when selecting a vacation destination in Philippines. The last thing that anyone on a vacation needs to do is to worry about safety.
Those who are lucky enough to get a room at this lake resort in Clark Philippines will be able to enjoy the magical sunrise across the lake of Clearwater Resort at dawn. This is the only hotel in Clark Pampanga that guests can really enjoy viewing sunrise.
Clearwater Resort in Clark Philippines is well regarded by event organizers and travel agencies as a beautiful place to visit in Pampanga. Family travelers laud the swim spots in this exclusive resort in Clark Pampanga as a good place to swim outside of Manila. No wonder this hotel in Clark is such a popular holiday destinations during the summer months in Philippines.
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.
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:
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. 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.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)
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