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Conchiglie Tutto Giardino

1âˆ'1/2 Cups Carrots, sliced
1 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Red Onion, chopped
7 Tomatoes, sliced
3 Cups Zucchini, sliced
1 Bell Pepper
1âˆ'1/2 Cups White Wine
2 Tablespoons Basil
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Dash Salt
1 Dash Pepper
1 Dash Sugar
1 Tablespoon Flour
6 Oz. Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup Light Cream, (or half and half)
1âˆ'1/2 Pounds Shell Pasta

Sautee carrots, onions, parsley, basil, garlic for about 15 min. Cover and
simmer for 15 more min. Add tomatoes, zucchini, bell pepper, wine, salt,
pepper, sugar. Simmer 45 min. In separate pan, melt 1 Tablespoon butter, add
flour. Cook roux over very low heat, whisk in heated cream. Add tomato
paste, whisk until mixture is very smooth. Stir into vegetables along with
Parmesan. Toss mixture with cooked pasta.

Clams Oregana Basilico
36 Clams
2 tablespoon Grated Romano cheese
2/3 tablespoon Dry white wine
2 tablespoon Minced fresh Italian parsley
Stuffing:
3 1/2 cup Fresh bread crumbs
Juice of 1/2 Lemon (approx. 2 Tab)
1 tablespoon Fresh basil
1 tablespoon Oregano
1 tablespoon Minced garlic

Combine all stuffing ingredients by mixing with hands. Use more olive oil
if the mixture seems too dry.
Preheat oven to 500 F. Shuck clams and replace meat on halfâˆ'shells. Pack
about 1 heaping tbs. stuffing on each. Bake in preheated oven for about 10
minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle each clam with a few drops of wine. Return to
oven and bake 2 to 3 minutes more, or until lightly browned.

Cioppino
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1 cup olive oil
2 cups tomato sauce
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry sherry
2 rock lobster tails with shells, uncooked, cut into serving pieces
2/3 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1âˆ'1/2 pounds whitefish (haddock, halibut or cod), cut into serving pieces
24 clams in shell, or 3 (7 1/2âˆ'oz.) cans minced clams, drained

Cook garlic, onion and parsley in hot olive oil until onion is tender. Add
tomato sauce, tomatoes, oregano and marjoram. Add 1 1/2 cups water, salt and
pepper. Stir. cover tightly. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer,
uncovered, 20 minutes. Add sherry and simmer another 10 minutes. Stir in
remaining ingredients, adding clams last. Cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce
heat and simmer 15 minutes. Serve hot with French bread.

Cicerchiata
3 cups all purpose flour
4 extra large eggs
1 tbsp. lemon rind (grated)
4 cups vegetable oil
1 cup honey
2 cups whole hazelnuts
4 squares (4 oz.) semiâˆ'sweet chocolate

Place flour in a large bowl, make a well. Add eggs and lemon rind, mix.
Knead till dough is elastic, set aside for 30 minutes. Take a small amount
of dough and roll into a long strip, cut short lengths to form small balls.
In a deep fryer, cook dough pieces until golden. Bring honey to a boil and
simmer for 5 minutes. Add chocolate, cook until melted. Remove from heat and
add nuts. Coat balls in honey/chocolate/nut mixture. In a tube pan, pile
honey coated balls around sides. Cool slightly and press balls together.

Chicken Vesuvio (Pollo Alla Vesuvio)
1 fryer chicken (cut up)
1âˆ'1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of Rosemary and sage
3 baking potatoes, cut in lengthwise wedges
3 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/3 Cup flour
3/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon each âˆ' thyme & pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup dry white wine

Wash and pat chicken dry. Mix flour with all the herbs, salt & pepper. Coat
chicken pieces lightly all over with flour mixture, shaking off excess. Heat
oven to 375 degrees, heat a 12" cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add
Chicken pieces in a single layer. Fry turning occasionally until lightly
brown. Place on paper towels. In same oil, brown potatoes. Pour off all but
2 tablespoons of oil. Put chicken and potatoes back in skillet. Sprinkle
with garlic and parsley. Pour wine over all. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees
for 20 âˆ' 25 minutes.

Chicken Valdostano
2 tablespoons allâˆ'purpose flour
6 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine
10 mushrooms, thinly sliced
3/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup veal stock (OR chicken stock OR turkey stock)
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
freshly ground white pepper to taste
6 thin slices prosciutto ham
6 thin slices fontina cheese

Lightly flour chicken breasts, shaking off excess flour. In a large skillet
over low heat, melt butter/margarine. Add chicken and saute until lightly
browned, about 2 minutes each side. Remove with slotted spatula and set
aside.

Increase heat to medium low. Add mushrooms and saute until juices are
rendered, about 4 minutes. Add wine and simmer until reduced by 1/4, about 3
to 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium high. Add stock, parsley and pepper
and simmer until sauce reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to low. Top each chicken breast with a slice of prosciutto and
a slice of fontina cheese. Return chicken to skillet and cook just until
cheese melts. Transfer chicken to individual plates and top each with some
of the mushroom sauce before serving.

Cheese Ravioli
8 squares of 4 x 4 squares of fresh pasta
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup goat cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Tomato Broth:
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 shallots, chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1âˆ'1/2 cup strong chicken stock
4 very ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons minced sundried tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1/3 cup parmesan cheese

For the raviolis, in a small bowl mix together ricotta cheese, parmesan
cheese, goat cheese, and garlic and mix well. Season with salt and pepper
and mix well. Lay 4 of the squares of pasta out on a board and moisten the
edges well with water. Place about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture in the
middle of the pasta then top with a square of pasta and crimp the edge well.
Set a side until ready to serve.

For the tomato broth, heat a large saute pan with olive oil until very hot.
Add garlic and shallots and saute until you can smell the aroma about 1
minute. Add red wine and reduce about 3 minutes until almost dry add chicken
stock and tomatoes and over high heat reduce about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes,
basil and pepper and simmer for about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Keep
warm.

To assemble, heat 2 quarts of salted water until boiling, add the raviolis
and cook just until the water comes back to a boil about 2 to 3 minutes.
Place the raviolis into a soup plate then pour the tomato broth over the
raviolis. Serve hot and garnished with parmesan cheese.

Cavatelli Sausage With Broccoli
1/2 lb. or 2 cups dried Cavatelli or other small
shellâˆ'shaped Italian pasta
1/2 lb. or 3 links sweet Italian Sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch broccoli
1 1/4 cup lowâˆ'salt chicken broth
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbls. unsalted butter
Parmesan cheese

Squeeze sausage from casings and saute in a heavy skillet or cast iron
frying pan. Stir until no longer pink and sausage has broken down into small
chunks. Remove sausage with slotted spoon leaving juices in pan.
Cut broccoli into 1 inch pieces and saute in juices or drippings from the
sausage. Stir gently til it begins to brown. Add garlic and saute 1 minute
more. Add broth and raisins and simmer until the broccoli is tender, about 3
minutes. Do not over cook. Finally, add butter and stir to melt. Add, with
sausage, to cooked pasta and serve with parmesan cheese.

Carote in Crema con Funghi
1/3 Ounce dried porcini mushrooms
2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
2 Pound small to mediumâˆ'size carrots, sliced
juice of 1/2 lemon
a pinch of grated nutmeg
salt and pepper
l cup whipping cream
2 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes. Remove, squeeze dry and
chop. Strain the water through a fine sieve and set aside. In a saucepan
heat the butter. Add the carrots and, stirring, cook over moderate heat for
about 10 minutes. Season with lemon juice, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add the
mushrooms and stir in the cream. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for
about 30 minutes or until the cream is partially reduced. If the sauce is
too thick, dilute with a little of the mushroom water. Sprinkle with chives
and serve on a warm platter.

Carbonara Sauce
4 Tablespoon Butter
8 Slice Bacon; cut in 1/4" strips
2 Eggs
2 Egg yolks
1 Teaspoon Red pepper flakes
1 Cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 Cup Heavy cream
1 Teaspoon Salt
Black pepper
1 Pound Spaghetti
8 Quarts water
Cream soft butter. In another bowl, beat eggs & yolks and whisk until
blended, add 1/2 cup cheese. Heat large casserole dish in 200F oven. Bring
water & salt to boil in large pot. Meanwhile, fry bacon in skillet over
med heat until crisp. Pour off half of fat and stir in red pepper flakes and
cream. Bring cream mixture to simmer and keep warm until spaghetti is done.
Transfer cooked spaghetti to heated serving bowl and stir in creamed butter.
Coat well. Stir in hot bacon & cream mixture and finally the beaten eggs
and cheese. The heat of the pasta will cook the raw eggs. Taste and season
with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining grated cheese.

Caponata
2 LARGE EGGPLANTS
1 Teaspoon SALT
3/4 Cup OLIVE OIL
2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED
2 ONIONS, CHOPPED
1 Pound PLUM TOMATOES, Quartered
3 CELERY STALKS, DICED
1 Pound CAN PITTED BLACK OLIVES
12 Ounce JAR OLIVE SALAD
1/4 Cup CAPERS
1/2 Cup PINE NUTS
1/4 Cup RED WINE VINEGAR
2 Teaspoon SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
Wash and cube unpeeled eggplant. Salt and let stand 1 hour. Squeeze dry.
Saute in oil until soft. Remove. Saute onions and garlic in same oil. Add
tomatoes, olives, and celery. Cook until tenderâˆ'âˆ'15 minutes. Add eggplant,
capers, and pine nuts. In another pan heat vinegar and sugar. When
dissolved, pour over eggplant. Season to taste and cook an additional 20
minutes. Serve hot or cold as relish with dinner or with french bread rounds
as a buffet or cocktail dish.

Cantucci
4 1/2 cups allâˆ'purpose flour
1âˆ'1/2 cups caster sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
4 eggs
2 egg yolks
8 oz. chopped almonds (unblanched)
2 more egg yolks
Keep a little milk around to use in the glaze.
Preheat the oven to 450 F. Mix the flour, the sugar, the baking
powder, the salt, the whole eggs and the yolk all together. When the dough
is smooth, knead the almonds into it. Divide the dough into 8 parts and make
each into a cigarâˆ'shape. Flour a baking sheet and place the logs on it,
giving them each some room, and slide into preheated oven. Bake for 20
minutes, or until they're a nice gold color. While the logs are still warm,
cut them into 1 inch thick slices and then cook them for another five
minutes. Let them get cool before serving. (Hint: You don't have to eat them
all at once. Cantucci stay good for a pretty long time if you keep them in a
nice, airtight container.)

Cannoli
1 3/4 Cups Flour, approximately
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Wine Vinegar
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon Butter Or Margarine, at room temperature
1 Pound Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Cup Confectioner's Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Tablespoons Finely Minced Candied Orange Peel (optional)
3 Tablespoons Chocolate
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Orange Curacao (optional)
1 Egg White, to brush
1/4 Cup Chopped Pistachio, or
Other Nuts To Garnish (optional)
1 Tablespoon Confectioner's Sugar, to sprinkle
Oil, for deep frying
Dough: 1. Use your electric mixer. In a mixing bowl measure 1 cup flour,
sugar, salt and cinnamon.. Attach bowl and dough hook. Turn to mediumâˆ'slow
speed and blend for approximately 45 seconds. With the mixer running, add
vinegar, water, egg and butter. Mix to blend for 2 to 3 minutes. Add
remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, as needed to make a dough that clings to
the hook.
2. Knead for 5 minutes. If dough clings to the sides of the bowl, add
sprinkles of flour. Dough will be smooth and elastic.
3. Wrap the soft dough in foil or plastic and refrigerate to relax and chill
for at least 1 hour.
4. Heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees.
5. Place dough on a floured work surface and roll extremely thinâˆ'âˆ' 1/16 inch
or less! Don't rush. When the dough pulls back, allow it to relax. If it
softens and sticks, return it to the frig for 5 or 10 minutes. Cut 4 1/2
inch circles (size of a many small margarine tub lids!) Roll the dough
scraps out and continue until all dough is used. You should have 12 to 14
circles.
Cannoli  20
6. When the circles are cut, roll again just before placing on the cannoli
tubes. This will give them an oval shape, about 5 inches by 4 1/2 inches.
7. Place the dough so that its longest dimension is the length of the metal
tube. Brush the tip of the dough with egg white to seal. Toll dough on the
tube.
8. Deep frying. The length of time will depend of the thickness of the
shells. A very thin shell will need about 2 minutes. A thicker shell could
require up to 6 minutes. Fry two or three at a time. Turn over once during
frying. Fry until golden brown. Remove with tongs. Cool for a few minutes
and then push the tubes free to use again. Cool shells completely before
filling.
Filling:

1. Cream ricotta cheese in a bowl with a spatula or wooden spoon or with an
electric mixer until smooth, about 5 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar,
vanilla, candied fruit, chocolate, cinnamon and orange curacao. Continue
beating another 4 or 5 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to fill shells.
2. Use a small spoon to stuff the filling into the shells. Dip the ends in
chopped nuts. Sift confectioners' sugar over the shells and serve.
3. Unfilled shells can be stored in a cool, dry place for three to four
weeks, or frozen for three months.

Cannelloni
1 lb. ground beef
salt & pepper to taste
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 egg
1/4 cup grated romano cheese
1/4 cups chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 cup cooked, chopped spinach
2 cups tomato sauce
Fry ground beef with a little oil. As beef is cooking, break it up in small
pieces. Transfer beef to a large mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, and garlic.
Mix well. Add egg, cheese, parsley, bread crumbs, and more salt to taste.
Squeeze water out of cooked spinach and chop. Add spinach and 1/2 cup tomato
sauce. Spread some tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking pan. Stuff
cannelloni shells and place in pan. Spread more tomato sauce in between each
layer and on the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Then, broil for 2âˆ'3
minutes to brown top.

Cannellini Bean Salad
Dressing:
1 cup olive oil
2 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste
Pinch of oregano
1 clove garlic, slightly broken
Salad:
2 cans cannellini beans
2 red onions, chopped
1 bell pepper
Minced parsley
Dressing: Mix all ingredients together and let set at room temperature to
blend flavors.
Salad: Drain 2 cans of cannellini beans and rinse under cold water. Place
in bowl and add 2 red onion chopped, 1 bell pepper cut in small pieces and
some minced parsley. Add the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper. Add
a little more oregano, if desired.

Calamari Imbottiti
8 small squid
1 small onion,chopped
2 tablespoons raisins
1âˆ'1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 teaspoon minced parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
1 egg ,well beaten
1 #2 can tomatoes
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic

Have fish dealer clean squid thoroughly, removing eyes, outside skin and
intestines. Cut off heads and tentacles. Wash well, and drain. Combine
remaining ingredients, and fill the cavity in each squid with stuffing. Sew
squid closed, or fasten with toothpicks. Place in baking dish or pan, and
cover with the following sauce: 1 #2 can tomatoes, 4 tablespoon olive oil,
1 clove garlic. Brown garlic in oil, mash tomatoes with fork, and add.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Then pour over squid and bake in hot oven 400 degree
for 35 minutes, or until tender. Serve whole with sauce.

Calamari Fritti
3 lbs. squidâˆ'cleaned, and cut into rings
oil for frying
1 cup of flour
salt
lemon wedges
Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep skillet. Dip calamari in flour, and shake off
excess. Fry until golden, drain on paper towels, and serve with lemon wedges.

Cacciuco alla Livornese
4 Tbs. Extra Virgin olive oil
1 Med. onion, finely chopped
1 Stalk celery, finely chopped
1 Med. carrot, finely chopped
4 âˆ' 8 Calamari, cleaned and chopped into rings
1 Cup dry red wine
1 28 oz. can Italian plum tomatoes
1 Lb. mussels, cleaned and deâˆ'bearded
1 Dozen littleneck clams
1 Cup water
1 Doz. medium shrimp, peeled and deâˆ'veined
1 Doz. sea scallops (optional)
2 Lb. assorted firm fleshed fish (Haddock, schrod, cod, monkfish, etc.) cut
into large chunks
4 Tbs. flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Heat the olive oil over moderate heat in a four to six quart pot, then add
the onion, celery and carrot, stirring as they go in. Saute the vegetables
until they become soft and slightly brownedâˆ'âˆ'about ten minutes.
Raise the heat to high and add the calamari. Saute, stirring constantly,
until they become purple and begin to brown slightlyâˆ'âˆ'two or three minutes.
With the heat still on high, add the red wine, scraping the bottom of the
pot for any bits of vegetables that may have caramelized. Boil for a minute
or two in order to evaporate the alcohol. Reduce the heat to low, and, with
the pot off the stove, add the tomatoes, crushing them with the back of a
fork as they go in.
Return the pot to the stove and bring the calamari/tomato/wine mixture to
the simmer. Simmer gently while you prepare the mussels and clams. In a
separate four to six quart pot, add the mussels, clams and water, then bring
to the boil. Cover the pot, lower the heat to medium and allow the shellfish
to steam for about five minutes, or until their shells open. Discard any
that have not opened. When they have finished steaming, remove the pot from
the stove and remove the shellfish with a slotted spoon, reserving the
steaming liquid. When the shellfish are cool enough to handle, remove them
from their shells.

Add the shrimp and optional scallops to the simmering tomato mixture,
Cacciuco alla Livornese  14 raising the heat if necessary to maintain the simmer. Cook for approximately
three minutes, until the shrimp begin to turn pink. Add the clams and
mussels and their reserved steaming liquid, being careful at the end not to
add any sand that may have precipitated to the bottom of the pot. Simmer for
an additional three minutes, stirring gently once or twice.

Add the fish, but do not stir the pot this time as it will cause the fish to
break apart further. You're seeking a finished dish with large chunks of
fish in addition to the other seafood. Simmer for five minutes, then remove
the pot from the heat.

If using bruschetta, place a piece in each of four bowls, then ladle the
soup over the bread, being careful to include a sample of each type of
seafood you've cooked. Garnish each bowl with the freshly chopped parsley
and a few grinds of black pepper. Serve at once.

Braciole Balsamico

1âˆ'1/2 pound Top round, VERY thin sliced
1/2 cup Fresh basil, minced
2 Roasted red peppers, diced
4 tablespoon Parmesan, fresh grated
2 tablespoon Parsley, minced
Salt and pepper
6 Slice Proscuitto, very thin
2 tablespoon Olive oil
2 tablespoon Parsley, minced
1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon Pepper, black fresh ground
2 Cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup Olive oil

Place beef slices on counter or flat surface. (Get your butcher to slice
them; he can do it so much neater than we can!) Sprinkle with the red
peppers and parsley. Cut proscuitto to fit each beef slice and place over
peppers. Sprinkle with basil leaves, Parmesan and pepper. Roll tightly and
tie in two places with kitchen twine to secure, or use toothpicks. Combine
all marinade ingredients and pour over beef rolls in nonâˆ'reactive pan. Let
set at room temp for an hour, or refrigerate for several hours. Remove from
marinade, reserving marinade. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in large heavy skillet.
Brown beef rolls on all sides. Add marinade and simmer for 20 minutes. Or
you can put into tightly covered baking dish and bake at 350 for 15âˆ'20
minutes.

Basic Polenta
9 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Cornmeal; coarseâˆ'grain

Bring water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Add salt and reduce heat until
water is simmering. Take cornmeal by the handful and add to water very
slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers. To avoid
lumps, stir quickly with a long handled wooden spoon while adding cornmeal.
If necessary, stop adding cornmeal from time to time and beat mixture
vigorously. Cook, stirring constantly, 20 to 30 minutes. Polenta will become
very thick while cooking. It is done when it comes away cleanly from the
sides of the pot. Pour polenta into a large wooden board or a large platter.
Wet your hands and smooth out polenta evenly, about 2 inches thick. Let cool
5 to 10 minutes or until polenta solidifies. Cut cooled polenta into slices
1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Place slices in individual dishes. Serve hot,
covered with your favorite sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Variation: Fried Polenta (Polenta Fritta): Prepare polenta and let cool
completely. Cut cooled polenta into slices 2 inches wide and 6 inches long.
Pour oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat oil until a 1âˆ'inch cube
of bread turns golden almost immediately. Fry polenta slices on both sides
until light golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. It is importent to
insure the oil is hot enough, otherwise the polenta will absorb oil and your
polenta will be greasy and unpalatable.

Basic Italian Bread
Biga:
1/2 Teas. Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Lukewarm water
2 Cups Unbleached, Allâˆ'purpose Flour
Mix the yeast and water together, and then slowly start adding the
flour, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room
temperature for up to 6 hours. Refrigerate overnight.
Bread:
2 Cups Warm Water (about 90 degrees F.)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast
5âˆ'6 Cups Allâˆ'purpose, Unbleached Flour
2 Ts. Salt

Place the water in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast overtop and mix well.
Let sit 10 minutes until bubbly. Add the biga, flour, and salt and stir with
a wooden spoon (or mix with your hands) until everything is mixed. The dough
will be fairly wet and sticky at this point. Cover and let stand in a warm
spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in volume.
Punch down the dough, folding it over on itself two or three times, cover
and let rise once more until doubled, about 1 hour. If you choose, you could
refrigerate your dough at this time and leave it overnight to prepare the
next day.

Turn out your dough onto a floured baking sheet, and without overworking it
too much shape into one large or two smaller round or oval shaped loaves,
using as much extra flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Slash across
the tops of the loaves with a serrated knife or razor just prior to baking.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place a casserole dish with boiling
water on the lower oven rack. Bake your bread 30 minutes, turn the baking
sheet around, and reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake for another 30âˆ'45
minutes. At this point your bread should be golden brown and should sound
hollow when you tap the bottom. Allow the bread to cool to room temperature
and serve.

Barchetta Endivia Belga E Taleggio

4 Belgian endive heads
1/2 Pound Taleggio cheese, room temp
1/4 Pound Smoked Salmon, thin slice
15 Prosciutto or bresaola âˆ' cured beef slices
2 Tablespoon Fennel leaves, finely chop
2 Tablespoon Parsley, fresh, fine chop
1 Tablespoon Sunâˆ'dried tomatoes, pureed
1 cup Roasted peppers, cut in thin strips

Fresh ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Carefully remove endive leaves: rinse and dry carefully. Salmon boats: Place
a slice of salmon on the endive leaf, enough to sit in the (endive) "boat".
Remove the outer skin of the taleggio and leave half the cheese for the
second combination. Gently blend the cheese with the fennel leaves. Drizzle
a little extra virgin olive oil on the salmon and grind a couple of turn of
pepper. Place a spoonful of taleggio on top and serve. Bresaola boats: Place
a slice of bresaola or prosciutto on the endive. Place a strip of roasted
red pepper on top, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with
chopped parsley. Gently mix the sunâˆ'dried tomatoes into the cheese. Place a
spoonful on top of the "boat"(endive) and serve. If unable to locate
Taleggio cheese use goat's cheese.

Baked Lasagna

1 lb. Lasagna pasta noodles, cooked
2âˆ'16 oz. jars meatless sauce
2 cup cottage cheese, lg. curd
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb. Mozzarella cheese, sliced thin
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 lbs. ground beef
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions or until tender but
still firm. Drain, keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, saute the ground beef, garlic and onion is a large heavy
skillet or saucepan until beef is done. Add sauce, salt, and Italian
seasoning and mix well. Simmer on low heat 12 to 15 minutes. In a separate
bowl, combine eggs and cottage cheese.

3. Grease a 9" x 12" or larger, baking pan. Arrange a first layer of
noodles, a layer of the cooked beef, cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese.
Add a second alternating layer of lasagna noodles and other ingredients.
Repeat until pan is full ending up with a top layer of the lasagna sauce.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.

Asparagus Pasta col Pesto

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil (do not substitute)
1 cup chopped or sliced asparagus (use only the tender half
or tips)(asparagus can be substituted with broccoli,
string beans (green beans) or zucchini)
1/8 cup chopped onion (red or yellow)
1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
8 ounces pasta noodles of your choice
grated Parmesan cheese
Quick Pesto Sauce: Saute garlic, onion, and basil in olive oil until the
garlic and onion turns light brown. Do not over cook. Set aside and keep
warm.
Prepare the pasta of your choice according to package directions except for
the following:

Add 1 to 2 cups additional water. Just before water begins to boil, add the
asparagus or the vegetables of your choice. When the water begins to boil
add the pasta and cook according to directions
Drain the pasta and vegetable mixture and pour the pesto sauce over the top,
tossing lightly to coat. Top with parmesan cheese and serve. You can also
serve the pasta direct from the cooking pot to the plates and then add the
pesto. This eliminates having to wash another bowl. Serve with French bread
and have additional parmesan cheese available at the table.

Arancini Di Riso

1 lb. rice
2 eggs
1/4 lb. grated parmesan cheese
3/4 lb. ground beef
1/4 lb. ground chicken
1 onion and 1 stalk of celery, chopped
1/4 tsp. sage
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup white wine
Oil for fying
Some flour and dried breadcrumbs
1 beaten egg

Cook the chopped onion and celery with a soupspoon of oil in a pan and cook
over a moderate fire. Add the meat, chicken, sage, oregano, salt and pepper
and continue cooking, stirring constantly. Add some of the white wine.
Meanwhile boil the rice in salt water and when cooked add the grated
parmesan cheese and the two eggs. When the rice is cold put a soupspoon of
rice in your left hand, add a teaspoon or the meat mixture, and complete the
ball with another spoonful of rice, forming a ball about the size of a small
orange. When all the balls are formed roll them in flour, then dip them in
the beaten egg, followed by the breadcrumbs, and fry them in boiling oil.
There should be enough oil to completely cover the "little oranges". As soon
as they are golden remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to
absorb the extra oil. Keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve.

How To Prepare Antipasto

1/2 Pound sliced Genoa salami
1 slicing tomato
1 large white onion
2 roasted red bell peppers
1 Pound sliced provolone
2 cans black pitted olives
1 can baby corn on the cob
1 small jar of Pepperoncini peppers
2 stalks of celery
1 can of rolled anchovies
extra virgin olive oil
Use a long platter, and arrange in the following order:
Salami, provolone, tomato, onion, red peppers, and achovies. Put the baby corns
and olives in the center of tray. Take and cut in half celery sticks. Then
slice each again length wise. Arrange celery sticks in between each
antipasti. Sprinkle some salt lightly on everything. Then drizzle olive oil
on everything. Let the antipasti sit covered in the refrigerator till ready
to serve. Sitting helps enhance the flavors.

How To Prepare Angel Hair With Balsamic Tomatoes

1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
5 to 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped, (28âˆ'ounce. can plum tomatoes)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 Cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 Pound angel hair pasta, (uncooked)
Saute the garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Do this in a skillet
large enough to hold the tomatoes later. Leave garlic in skillet.
Place tomatoes, salt & pepper, basil and balsamic vinegar in a nonâˆ'reactive
bowl and set aside for 10 minutes, stirring occassionally.
Boil water for pasta.

Just before you put the pasta in the water, drain tomatoes and reserve the
juice that runs off. (I usually set my colander on a dinner plate). Put the
angel hair pasta in the water to cook for the recommended amount of time.
Heat your garlic skillet and toss drained tomatoes briefly JUST to heat.
They should retain their shape. The pasta should finish cooking (usually no
more than 5 minutes for angel hair) at the same time the tomatoes are ready.
Toss the pasta and tomato mixture together and serve with freshly grated
parmesan cheese.

How To Prepare Amaretto Cookies

1/2 Cup Butter
2 Tablespoon Molasses
2 Eggs
1 Cup Almonds, ground toasted
1/2 Teaspoon Lemon rind; grated
1 Teaspoon Almond extract
1/2 Cup Amaretto liqueur
2 Cup Pastry flour, whole wheat
Cream together butter and molasses. Add eggs, ground almonds, lemon rind and
almond extract; mix well. Stir in Amaretto alternately with flour. Drop by
teaspoons onto unoiled cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12âˆ'15 minutes.
Cookies will be golden brown when done.

How To Prepare Almond Biscotti

3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons Anise seed
3 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup chopped Almonds (can substitute with Walnuts)
To prepare the biscotti, cream butter, sugar and 1 tablespoon anise seed.
Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and 1 tablespoon Anise
seed. Add to cream mixture. Add nuts, mix in, and form cookie dough into 2
or 3 long thin rolls. Place rolls on a ungreased baking pan or cookie sheet
and bake biscotti cookie rolls at 350 degrees 15 to 20 minutes, or till
light brown. Remove from oven and cut diagonally into 1/2 to 3/4 inch
slices. Put back in oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or till
Biscotti is lightly toasted. You want the biscoti to dry slightly. It will
look somewhat like a elongated piece of french bread, except smaller.

How To Prepare Asparagi Di Campo

3/4 Small Onion, minced
Salt
1âˆ'1/2 Teaspoon Capers, rinsed & chopped
1 Teaspoon Lemon juice
Salt & pepper
1 Mint leaf
1 Pound Thin asparagus
Place onion & salt in a bowl large enough to hold the asparagus. Mix well &
let steep for 30 minutes. Add the capers, lemon juice & mint leaf & marinate
for at least 1 hour. Mix thoroughly from time to time. Meanwhile, bring an
asparagus cooker to a boil & cook the asparagus until tender but still
crisp, about 3 minutes. Drain. Toss the still warm asparagus with the
marinade & add salt & pepper. Toss gently & serve.

source: PNA

Tropical storm ‘Nina’(Prapiroon) has intensified into a typhoon but is still far to directly affect any part of the country, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Weather Forecaster Jori Loiz said Nina’s wind strength has increased from 95 kilometers per hour (kph) Monday afternoon to 120 kph Tuesday morning, while its gustiness rose from 120 kph to 150 kph.

As 4 a.m. Tuesday, the eye of typhoon Nina was located at 1,050 km east of Cagayan (18.4°N, 132.8°E) and forecast to move west and accelerated at 15 kph from 9 kph, Loiz said.

With its speed, he added that Nina is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday or Sunday towards Japan.

Loiz also said that the typhoon was expected not to make a landfall in any part of the country. So far, no public storm warning signal has been raised.

PAGASA said areas within the 700-km diameter of the typhoon are expected to experience rains of 5 to 15 millimeters per hour, classified as “moderate to heavy.”

Meanwhile, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) spotted in northeast of Virac,Catanduanes has dissipated.

Loiz said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is expected to bring light to moderate rains in Mindanao.

An ITCZ is a merge of winds from different directions, which is also a breeding ground for a low pressure area.

The rest of the country including Metro Manila will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.

In its advisory, PAGASA said Bicol region, the Visayas and Davao region will have occasional light to moderate rains or thunderstorms while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the north to northwest will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northwest to west over Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Art. 282(c) of the Labor Code provides that an employer may terminate an employment for fraud or willful breach by the employee of the trust reposed in him/her by his/her employer or duly authorized representative. In order to constitute as just cause for dismissal, loss of confidence should relate to acts inimical to the interests of the employer.[35] Also, the act complained of should have arisen from the performance of the employee’s duties.[36] For loss of trust and confidence to be a valid ground for an employee’s dismissal, it must be substantial and not arbitrary, and must be founded on clearly established facts sufficient to warrant the employee’s separation from work.[37] We also held that:
[L]oss of confidence is a valid ground for dismissing an employee and proof beyond reasonable doubt of the employee’s misconduct is not required. It is sufficient if there is some basis for such loss of confidence or if the employer has reasonable ground to believe or to entertain the moral conviction that the employee concerned is responsible for the misconduct and that the nature of his participation therein rendered him unworthy of the trust and confidence demanded by his position.[38]
As Assistant Vice-President of Citibank’s Treasury Department, Genuino was tasked to solicit investments, and peso and dollar deposits for, and keep them in Citibank; and to sell and/or push for the sale of Citibank’s financial products, such as the MBS, for the account and benefit of Citibank.[39] She held a position of trust and confidence. There is no way she could deny any knowledge of the bank’s policies nor her understanding of these policies as reflected in the survey done by the bank. She could not likewise feign ignorance of the businesses of Citibank, and of Global and Torrance. Assuming that Citibank did not engage in the same securities dealt with by Global and Torrance; nevertheless, it is to the interests of Citibank to retain its clients and continue investing in Citibank. Curiously, Genuino did not even dissuade the depositors from withdrawing their monies from Citibank, and was even instrumental in the transfers of monies from Citibank to a competing bank through Global and Torrance, the corporations under Genuino’s control.

All the pieces of evidence compel us to conclude that Genuino did not have her employer’s interest. The letter of the bank’s clients which attested that the withdrawals from Citibank were made upon their instructions is of no import. It did not explain why they preferred to invest in Global and Torrance, nor did it mention that Genuino tried to dissuade them from withdrawing their deposits. Genuino herself admitted her relationship with some of the depositors in her affidavit, to wit:
Contrary to the allegations of Mr. Lim in par. 6.1 up to 8.1 concerning the alleged scheme employed in the questioned transactions, insinuating an “in” and “out” movement of funds of the seven (7) depositors, the truth is that after said “depositors” instructed/authorized us to effect the withdrawal of their respective monies from Citibank to attain the common goal of higher yields utilizing Global as the vehicle for bulk purchases of securities or papers not dealt with/offered by Citibank, said pooled investment remained with Global, and were managed through Global for over a year until the controversy arose;
The seven (7) “depositors” mentioned in Mr. Lim’s Affidavits are the long-time friends of affiant Genuino who had formed a loosely constituted investment group for purposes of realizing higher yields derivable from pooled investments, and as the advisor of the group she had in effect chosen Citibank as the initial repository of their respective monies prior to the implementation of plans for pooled investments under Global. Hence, she had known and dealt with said “depositors” before they became substantial depositors of Citibank. She did not come across them because of Citibank.[40] (Emphasis supplied.)
All told, Citibank had valid grounds to dismiss Genuino on ground of loss of confidence.

In view of Citibank’s failure to observe due process, however, nominal damages are in order but the amount is hereby raised to PhP 30,000 pursuant to Agabon v. NLRC. The NLRC’s order for payroll reinstatement is set aside.

In Agabon, we explained:
The violation of the petitioners’ right to statutory due process by the private respondent warrants the payment of indemnity in the form of nominal damages. The amount of such damages is addressed to the sound discretion of the court, taking into account the relevant circumstances. Considering the prevailing circumstances in the case at bar, we deem it proper to fix it at P30,000.00. We believe this form of damages would serve to deter employers from future violations of the statutory due process rights of employees. At the very least, it provides a vindication or recognition of this fundamental right granted to the latter under the Labor Code and its Implementing Rules.[41]
Thus, the award of PhP 5,000 to Genuino as indemnity for non-observance of due process under the CA’s March 31, 2000 Resolution in CA-G.R. SP No. 51532 is increased to PhP 30,000.

Anent the directive of the NLRC in its September 3, 1994 Decision ordering Citibank “to pay the salaries due to the complainant from the date it reinstated complainant in the payroll (computed at P60,000.00 a month, as found by the Labor Arbiter) up to and until the date of this decision,” the Court hereby cancels said award in view of its finding that the dismissal of Genuino is for a legal and valid ground.

Ordinarily, the employer is required to reinstate the employee during the pendency of the appeal pursuant to Art. 223, paragraph 3 of the Labor Code, which states:
In any event, the decision of the Labor Arbiter reinstating a dismissed or separated employee, insofar as the reinstatement aspect is concerned, shall immediately be executory, even pending appeal. The employee shall either be admitted back to work under the same terms and conditions prevailing prior to his dismissal or separation or, at the option of the employer, merely reinstated in the payroll. The posting of a bond by the employer shall not stay the execution for reinstatement provided herein.
If the decision of the labor arbiter is later reversed on appeal upon the finding that the ground for dismissal is valid, then the employer has the right to require the dismissed employee on payroll reinstatement to refund the salaries s/he received while the case was pending appeal, or it can be deducted from the accrued benefits that the dismissed employee was entitled to receive from his/her employer under existing laws, collective bargaining agreement provisions, and company practices.[42] However, if the employee was reinstated to work during the pendency of the appeal, then the employee is entitled to the compensation received for actual services rendered without need of refund.

Considering that Genuino was not reinstated to work or placed on payroll reinstatement, and her dismissal is based on a just cause, then she is not entitled to be paid the salaries stated in item no. 3 of the fallo of the September 3, 1994 NLRC Decision.

WHEREFORE, the petitions of Genuino in G.R. Nos. 142732-33 are DENIED for lack of merit. The petitions of Citibank in G.R. Nos. 142753-54 are GRANTED. The September 30, 1999 Decision and March 31, 2000 Resolution in CA-G.R. SP Nos. 51532 and 51533 are AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION that Genuino is entitled to PhP 30,000 as indemnity for non-observance of due process. Item (3) in the dispositive portion of the September 3, 1994 Decision of the NLRC in NLRC-NCR Case No. 00-10-06450-93 (CA No. 006947-94) is DELETED and SET ASIDE, and said NLRC decision is MODIFIED as follows:
WHEREFORE, Judgment is hereby rendered (1) SETTING ASIDE the appealed decision of the Labor Arbiter; (2) DECLARING the dismissal of the complainant valid and legal on the ground of serious misconduct and breach of trust and confidence and consequently DISMISSING the complaint a quo; but (3) ORDERING the respondent bank to pay the complainant nominal damages in the amount of PhP 30,000.
SO ORDERED.

Quisumbing, (Chairperson), Carpio, Carpio-Morales, and Tinga, JJ., concur.

The Issue
WHETHER OR NOT THE DISMISSAL OF GENUINO IS FOR A JUST CAUSE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH DUE PROCESS
In G.R. Nos. 142732-33, Genuino contends that Citibank failed to observe procedural due process in terminating her employment. This failure is allegedly an indication that there were no valid grounds in dismissing her. In G.R. Nos. 142753-54, Citibank questions the ruling that Genuino has a right to reinstatement under Article 223 of the Labor Code. Citibank contends that the Labor Arbiter’s finding is not supported by evidence; thus, the decision is void. Since a void decision cannot give rise to any rights, Citibank opines that there can be no right to payroll reinstatement.

The dismissal was for just cause but lacked due process

We affirm that Genuino was dismissed for just cause but without the observance of due process.

In a string of cases, [22] we have repeatedly said that the requirement of twin notices must be met. In the recent case of King of Kings Transport, Inc. v. Mamac, we explained:
To clarify, the following should be considered in terminating the services of employees:

(1) The first written notice to be served on the employees should contain the specific causes or grounds for termination against them, and a directive that the employees are given the opportunity to submit their written explanation within a reasonable period. “Reasonable opportunity” under the Omnibus Rules means every kind of assistance that management must accord to the employees to enable them to prepare adequately for their defense. This should be construed as a period of at least five (5) calendar days from receipt of the notice to give the employees an opportunity to study the accusation against them, consult a union official or lawyer, gather data and evidence, and decide on the defenses they will raise against the complaint. Moreover, in order to enable the employees to intelligently prepare their explanation and defenses, the notice should contain a detailed narration of the facts and circumstances that will serve as basis for the charge against the employees. A general description of the charge will not suffice. Lastly, the notice should specifically mention which company rules, if any, are violated and/or which among the grounds under Art. 282 is being charged against the employees.

(2) After serving the first notice, the employers should schedule and conduct a hearing or conference wherein the employees will be given the opportunity to: (1) explain and clarify their defenses to the charge against them; (2) present evidence in support of their defenses; and (3) rebut the evidence presented against them by the management. During the hearing or conference, the employees are given the chance to defend themselves personally, with the assistance of a representative or counsel of their choice. Moreover, this conference or hearing could be used by the parties as an opportunity to come to an amicable settlement.

(3) After determining that termination of employment is justified, the employers shall serve the employees a written notice of termination indicating that: (1) all circumstances involving the charge against the employees have been considered; and (2) grounds have been established to justify the severance of their employment.[23]
The Labor Arbiter found that Citibank failed to adequately notify Genuino of the charges against her. On the contrary, the NLRC held that “the function of a ‘notice to explain’ is only to state the basic facts of the employer’s charges, which x x x the letters of September 13 and 17, 1993 in question have fully served.”[24]

We agree with the CA that the dismissal was valid and legal, and with its modification of the NLRC ruling that PhP 5,000 is due Genuino for failure of Citibank to observe due process.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Labor Code provide that any employer seeking to dismiss a worker shall furnish the latter a written notice stating the particular acts or omissions constituting the grounds for dismissal.[25] The purpose of this notice is to sufficiently apprise the employee of the acts complained of and enable him/her to prepare his/her defense.

In this case, the letters dated August 23, September 13 and 20, 1993 sent by Citibank did not identify the particular acts or omissions allegedly committed by Genuino. The August 23, 1993 letter charged Genuino with having “some knowledge and/or involvement” in some transactions “which have the appearance of being irregular at the least and may even be fraudulent.” The September 13, 1993 letter, on the other hand, mentioned “irregular transactions” involving Global Pacific and/or Citibank and 12 bank clients. Lastly, the September 20, 1993 letter stated that Genuino and “Mr. Dante Santos, using the facilities of their family corporations (Torrance and Global) appear to have participated in the diversion of bank clients’ funds from Citibank to, and investment thereof in, other companies and that they made money in the process, in violation of the conflict of law rule [sic].” The extent of Genuino’s alleged knowledge and participation in the diversion of bank’s clients’ funds, manner of diversion, and amounts involved; the acts attributed to Genuino that conflicted with the bank’s interests; and the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregular transactions, were not specified in the notices/letters.

While the bank gave Genuino an opportunity to deny the truth of the allegations in writing and participate in the administrative investigation, the fact remains that the charges were too general to enable Genuino to intelligently and adequately prepare her defense.

The two-notice requirement of the Labor Code is an essential part of due process. The first notice informing the employee of the charges should neither be pro-forma nor vague. It should set out clearly what the employee is being held liable for. The employee should be afforded ample opportunity to be heard and not mere opportunity. As explained in King of Kings Transport, Inc., ample opportunity to be heard is especially accorded the employees sought to be dismissed after they are specifically informed of the charges in order to give them an opportunity to refute such accusations leveled against them. Since the notice of charges given to Genuino is inadequate, the dismissal could not be in accordance with due process.

While we hold that Citibank failed to observe procedural due process, we nevertheless find Genuino’s dismissal justified.

Citibank maintains that Genuino was aware of the bank’s Corporate Policy Manual specifically Chapter 3 on “Principles and Policies” with regard to avoiding conflicts of interest. She had even submitted a Conflict of Interest Survey to Citibank. In that survey, she denied any knowledge of engaging in transactions in conflict with Citibank’s interests. Citibank, for its part, submitted evidence showing 99% ownership of Global stocks by Genuino and Santos. In July 1993, Citibank discovered that Genuino and Santos were instrumental in the withdrawal by bank depositors of PhP 120 million of investments in Citibank. This amount was subsequently invested in another foreign bank, Internationale Nederlanden Bank, N.V., under the control of Global and Torrance, another corporation controlled by Genuino and Santos. [26] Citibank also filed two criminal complaints against Genuino and Santos for violations of the conflict of interest rule provided in Sec. 31 in relation to Sec. 144[27] of the Corporation Code.[28]

We note also that during the proceedings before the Labor Arbiter, Citibank presented the following affidavits, with supporting documentary evidence against Genuino:

1) Vic Lim, an officer of Citibank who investigated the anomalies of Genuino and Santos, concluded that Genuino and Santos realized substantial financial gains out of the transfer of monies as supported by the following documents:                                                           
1)   
Some of the Term Investment Applications (TIA), Applications for Money Transfer, all filled up in the handwriting of Ms. Marilou Genuino. These documents cover/show the transfer of the monies of the Citibank clients from their money placements/deposits with Citibank, N.A. to Global and/or Torrance.
   

2)   
ome of the checks that were drawn by Global and Torrance against their Citibank accounts in favor of the other companies by which Global and Torrance transferred the monies of the bank clients to the other companies.
   

3)   
ome of the checks drawn by the other companies in favor of Global or Torrance by which the other companies remitted back to Global and/or Torrance the monies of the bank clients concerned.
   

4)   
ome of the checks drawn by Global and Torrance against their Citibank accounts in favor of Mr. Dante Santos and Ms. Marilou Genuino, covering the shares of the latter in the spreads or margins Global and Torrance had derived from the investments of the monies of the Citibank clients in the other companies.
   

5)   
ome of the checks drawn by Torrance and Global in favor of Citibank clients by which Global and Torrance remitted back to said bank clients their principal investments (or portions thereof) and the rates of interests realized from their investment placed with the other companies less the spreads made by Global and/or Torrance, Mr. Dante L. Santos and Ms. Marilou Genuino.[29]
In Lim’s Reply-Affidavit with attached supporting documents, he stated that out of the competing money placement activities, Genuino and Santos derived financial gains amounting to PhP 2,027,098.08 and PhP 2,134,863.80, respectively.[30]

2) Marilyn Bautista, a Treasury Sales Specialist in the Treasury Department of the Global Consumer Bank of Citibank and whose superiors were Genuino and Santos, stated that:
Based on documents that have subsequently come to my knowledge, I realized that the two (Genuino and Dante L. Santos), with the active cooperation of Redencion Sumpaico (the Accountant of Global) had … brokered for their own benefits and/or of Global the sale of the financial products of Citibank called “Mortgage Backed Securities” or MBS and in the process made money at the expense of the (Citibank) investors and the bank.[31]
3) Patrick Cheng attested to other transactions from which Genuino, Santos, and Global brokered the Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), namely: ICC/Nemesio and Olivia Sy transaction, San Miguel Corporation/ICC, CIPI/Asiatrust, FAPE, PERAA and Union Bank, and NDC-Guthrie transactions.[32]

In her defense, Genuino asserts that Citibank has no evidence of any wrongful act or omission imputable to her. According to her, she did not try to conceal from the bank her participation in Global and she even disclosed the information when Global designated Citibank as its depositary. She avers there was no conflict of interest because Global was not engaged in Citibank’s accepting deposits and granting loans, nor in money placement activities that compete with Citibank’s activities; and neither does Citibank invest in the outlets used by Global. She claims that the controversy between Santos and Global had already been amicably resolved in a Compromise Agreement between the two parties.[33]

Genuino further asserts that the letter of termination did not indicate what existing company policy had been violated, and what acts constituted serious misconduct or willful breach of the trust reposed by the bank. She claims that Lim’s testimony that the checks issued by Global in her name were profits was malicious, hearsay, and lacked factual basis. She also posits that as to the withdrawals of clients, she could not possibly dictate on the depositors. She pointed out that the depositors even sent Citibank a letter dated August 25, 1993 informing the bank that the withdrawals were made upon their express instructions. Genuino avers the bank’s loss of confidence should have to be proven by substantial evidence, setting out the facts upon which loss of confidence in the employee may be made to rest.[34]

Contrary to the Labor Arbiter’s finding, the NLRC found the following facts supported by the records:

a)   
Respondent bank has a conflict of interest rule, embodied in Chapter 3 of its Corporate Policy Manual, prohibiting the officers of the bank from engaging in business activities, situations or circumstances that are in conflict with the interest of the bank.


b)   
Complainant was familiar with said conflict of interest rule of the bank and of her duty to disclose to the bank in writing any personal circumstances which conflicts or appears to be in conflict with Citibank’s interest.

c)
Complainant is a substantial stockholder of Global Pacific, but she did not disclose fact to the bank.


d)   
Global Pacific is engaged in money placement business like Citibank, N.A.; that in carrying out its said money placement business, it used funds belonging to Citibank clients which were withdrawn from Citibank with participation of complainant and Dante L. Santos. In one transaction of this nature, P120,000,000.00 belonging to Citibank clients was withdrawn from Citibank, N.A. and placed in another foreign bank, under the control of Global Pacific. Said big investment money was returned to Citibank, N.A. only when Citibank, N.A. filed an injunction suit.

e)   
Global Pacific also engaged in the brokering of the ABS or MBS, another financial product of Citibank. It was the duty of complainant Genuino and Dante L. Santos to sell said product on behalf of Citibank, N.A. and for Citibank N.A.’s benefit. In the brokering of the ABS or MBS, Global Pacific made substantial profits which otherwise would have gone to Citibank, N.A. if only they brokered the ABS or MBS for and on behalf of Citibank, N.A.

[G.R. Nos. 142732-33, December 04, 2007]

MARILOU S. GENUINO, PETITIONER, VS. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION, CITIBANK, N.A., WILLIAM FERGUSON, AND AZIZ RAJKOTWALA, RESPONDENTS.

[G.R. NOS. 142753-54]

CITIBANK, N.A., WILLIAM FERGUSON, AND AZIZ RAJKOTWALA, PETITIONERS, VS. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION AND MARILOU GENUINO, RESPONDENTS.

D E C I S I O N

VELASCO JR., J.:

The Case

This Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 seeks to set aside the September 30, 1999 Decision[1] and March 31, 2000 Resolution[2] of the Court of Appeals (CA) in the consolidated cases docketed as CA-G.R. SP Nos. 51532 and 51533. The appellate court dismissed the parties’ petitions involving the National Labor Relations Commission’s (NLRC’s) Decision[3] and Resolution,[4] which held that Marilou S. Genuino was validly dismissed by Citibank, N.A. (Citibank). The NLRC likewise ordered the payment of salaries from the time that Genuino was reinstated in the payroll to the date of the NLRC decision. Upon reconsideration, however, the CA modified its decision and held that Citibank failed to observe due process in CA-G.R. SP No. 51532; hence, Citibank should indemnify Genuino in the amount of PhP 5,000. Both parties are now before this Court assailing portions of the CA’s rulings. In G.R. Nos. 142732-33, Genuino assails the CA’s finding that her dismissal was valid. In G.R. Nos. 142753-54, Citibank questions the CA’s finding that Citibank violated Genuino’s right to procedural due process and that Genuino has a right to salaries.

Citibank is an American banking corporation duly licensed to do business in the Philippines. William Ferguson was the Manila Country Corporate Officer and Business Head of the Global Finance Bank of Citibank while Aziz Rajkotwala was the International Business Manager for the Global Consumer Bank of Citibank.[5]

Genuino was employed by Citibank sometime in January 1992 as Treasury Sales Division Head with the rank of Assistant Vice-President. She received a monthly compensation of PhP 60,487.96, exclusive of benefits and privileges.[6]

On August 23, 1993, Citibank sent Genuino a letter charging her with “knowledge and/or involvement” in transactions “which were irregular or even fraudulent.” In the same letter, Genuino was informed she was under preventive suspension.[7]

Genuino wrote Citibank on September 13, 1993 and asked the bank the following:
Confront our client with the factual and legal basis of your charges, and afford her an opportunity to explain;

Substantiate your charge of fraudulent transactions against our client; or if the same cannot be substantiated;

Correct/repair/compensate the damage you have caused our client.[8]
On September 13, 1993, Citibank, through Victorino P. Vargas, its Country Senior Human Resources Officer, sent a letter to Genuino, the relevant portions of which read:
As you are well aware, the bank served you a letter dated August 23, 1993 advising you that ongoing investigations show that you are involved and/or know of irregular transactions which are at the very least in conflict with the bank’s interest, and, may even be fraudulent in nature.

These transactions are those involving Global Pacific and/or Citibank and the following bank clients, among others:
Norma T. de Jesus
Carmen Intengan/Romeo Neri
Mario Mamon
Vienna Ochoa/IETI
William Samara
Roberto Estandarte
Rita Browner
Ma. Redencion Sumpaico
Cesar Bautista
Teddy Keng
NDC-Guthrie
Olivia Sy
In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to explain in writing three (3) days from your receipt hereof why your employment should not be terminated in view of your involvement in these irregular transactions. You are also directed to appear in an administrative investigation of the matter which is set on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1993 at 2:00 P.M. at the HR Conference Room, 6th Floor, Citibank Center. You may bring your counsel if you so desire.[9]
Genuino’s counsel replied through a letter dated September 17, 1993, demanding for a bill of particulars regarding the charges against Genuino. Citibank’s counsel replied on September 20, 1993, as follows:
1.2. [T]he bank has no intention of converting the administrative investigation of this case to a full blown trial. What it is prepared to do is give your client, as required by law and Supreme Court decisions, an opportunity to explain her side on the issue of whether she violated the conflict of interest ruleâ€"either in writing (which could be in the form of a letter-reply to the September 13, 1993 letter to Citibank, N.A.) or in person, in the administrative investigation which is set for tomorrow afternoon vis-à-vis the bank clients/parties mentioned in the letter of Citibank, N.A.

x x x x

2.2. You will certainly not deny that we have already fully discussed with you what is meant by the conflict with the bank’s interest vis-à-vis the bank clients/parties named in the September 13, 1993 letter of Citibank to Ms. Genuino. As we have repeatedly explained to you, what the bank meant by it is that your client and Mr. Dante Santos, using the facilities of their family corporations (Torrance and Global) appear to have participated in the diversion of bank clients’ funds from Citibank to, and investment thereof in, other companies and that they made money in the process, in violation of the conflict of law rule. It is her side of this issue that Citibank, N.A. is waiting to receive/hear from Ms. Genuino.[10]
Genuino did not appear in the administrative investigation held on September 21, 1993. Her lawyers wrote a letter to Citibank’s counsel asking “what bank clients’ funds were diverted from the bank and invested in other companies, the specific amounts involved, the manner by which and the date when such diversions were purportedly affected.” In reply, Citibank’s counsel noted Genuino’s failure to appear in the investigation and gave Genuino up to September 23, 1993 to submit her written explanation. Genuino did not submit her written explanation.[11]

On September 27, 1993, Citibank informed Genuino of the result of their investigation. It found that Genuino with Santos used “facilities of Genuino’s family corporation, namely, Global Pacific, personally and actively participated in the diversion of bank clients’ funds to products of other companies that yielded interests higher than what Citibank products offered, and that Genuino and Santos realized substantial financial gains, all in violation of existing company policy and the Corporation Code, which for your information, carries a penal sanction.”[12]

Genuino’s employment was terminated by Citibank on grounds of (1) serious misconduct, (2) willful breach of the trust reposed upon her by the bank, and (3) commission of a crime against the bank.[13]

On October 15, 1993, Genuino filed before the Labor Arbiter a Complaint[14] against Citibank docketed as NLRC Case No. 00-10-06450-93 for illegal suspension and illegal dismissal with damages and prayer for temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction. The Labor Arbiter rendered a Decision[15] on May 2, 1994, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, finding the dismissal of the complainant Marilou S. Genuino to be without just cause and in violation of her right to due process, respondent CITIBANK, N.A., and any and all persons acting on its behalf or by or under their authority are hereby ordered to reinstate complainant immediately to her former position as Treasury Sales Division Head or its equivalent without loss of seniority rights and other benefits, with backwages from August 23, 1993 up to April 30, 1994 in the amount of P493,800.00 (P60,000 x 8.23 mos.) subject to adjustment until reinstated actually or in the payroll.

Respondents are likewise ordered to pay complainant the amount of 1.5 Million Pesos and P500,000.00 by way of moral and exemplary damages plus 10% of the total monetary award as attorney’s fees.[16]
Both parties appealed to the NLRC. The NLRC, in its September 3, 1994 Decision in NLRC-NCR Case No. 00-10-06450-93 (CA No. 006947-94), reversed the Labor Arbiter’s decision with the following modification:
WHEREFORE, Judgment is hereby rendered (1) SETTING ASIDE the appealed decision of the Labor Arbiter; (2) DECLARING the dismissal of the complainant valid and legal on the ground of serious misconduct and breach of trust and confidence and consequently DISMISSING the complaint a quo; but (3) ORDERING the respondent bank to pay the salaries due to the complainant from the date it reinstated complainant in the payroll (computed at P60,000.00 a month, as found by the Labor Arbiter) up to and until the date of this decision.

SO ORDERED.[17]
The parties’ motions for reconsideration were denied by the NLRC in a resolution dated October 28, 1994.[18]

The Ruling of the Court of Appeals

On December 6, 1994, Genuino filed a petition for certiorari docketed as G.R. No. 118023 with this Court. Citibank’s petition for certiorari, on the other hand, was docketed as G.R. No. 118667. In the January 27, 1999 Resolution, we referred these petitions to the CA pursuant to our ruling in St. Martin Funeral Home v. NLRC.[19]

Genuino’s petition before the CA was docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 51532 while Citibank’s petition was docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 51533. Genuino prayed for the reversal of the NLRC’s decision insofar as it declared her dismissal valid and legal. Meanwhile, Citibank questioned the NLRC’s order to pay Genuino’s salaries from the date of reinstatement until the date of the NLRC’s decision.

The CA promulgated its decision on September 30, 1999, denying due course to and dismissing both petitions.[20] Both parties filed motions for reconsideration and on March 31, 2000, the appellate court modified its decision and held:
WHEREFORE, save for the MODIFICATION ordering Citibank, N.A. to pay Ms. Marilou S. Genuino five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) as indemnity for non-observance of due process in CA-G.R. SP No. 51532, this Court’s 30 September 1999 decision is REITERATED and AFFIRMED in all other respects.

SO ORDERED.[21]
Hence, we have this petition.

TUGUEGARAO City, Oct. 8 (PNA) -- A 68-year-old villager from the northernmost town of Cagayan has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor of the province to challenge the incumbent provincial chief executive.

Gubernatorial bet Jose “Boy” Perez, 68, of Abulug, Cagayan filed his CoC as independent.

Perez said he is the grandfather of Congresswoman Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso of the second district of Cagayan.

Perez, a perennial independent bet in the past elections, is on his second try for the gubernatorial post. He also run thrice for congressman in the second district but lost all battles for the said posts.

After filing his COC, Perez sang old songs while dancing, claiming that he is a musician and an artist.

The independent-running Perez is up against reelectionist Governor Alvaro Antonio.

source: PNA

The high-end Manhattan restaurant owned by pop star Lady Gaga and her family has been slapped after the Dept. of Health uncovered violations.

Joanne Trattoria on the city's West Side restaurant was smacked with a shameful 'C' grade, the lowest possible rating.

This, after health officials uncovered its filthy habits, reported Daily Mail online.

They did not say what these habits were.

by stratfor.com

Stratfor has received multiple reports of U.S. and French military movements that we would like to highlight to our readers. These movements could have multiple explanations and might not be linked. But given the numerous ongoing crises specifically centered in North Africa and the Middle East, we consider these developments to be worth following.

Analysis

According to a worldwide network of aircraft spotters and trackers, at least a dozen MC-130H, HC-130N, HC-130P and AC-130U military transport planes and gunships crossed the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 13 heading eastbound. These aircraft are typically used for a variety of special tasks, including in close cooperation with special operations forces. The last reported stop for the aircraft was Souda Bay, Crete. It is unclear whether the aircraft have left Crete, but we are working on tracking them down.

Four F/A-18 Super Hornets from U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 A week and a half later, on Sept. 24, the same network of aircraft spotters noted 12 U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets arriving in two waves at Moron air base in Spain. It is not known where the squadron is heading, though it could be en route to Afghanistan to reinforce elements there. The Harrier squadron that suffered heavy losses in the Sept. 14 attack on Camp Bastion has already been replaced by another Harrier unit, so it is unlikely that the squadron's deployment is directly linked to that event. It is also possible that the F/A-18s are heading to the Gulf Cooperation Council region. A number of air superiority squadrons, including an F-22 Raptor squadron, have already deployed to the region. If that is the case, the squadron is intended simply as reinforcements or replacements for assets currently deployed there.

Also on Sept. 24, The New York Times published an article stating that Iraq and the United States were negotiating an agreement that could result in the return of small units of U.S. soldiers to Iraq on training missions. At the request of the Iraqi government, according to U.S. Gen. Robert Caslen, a unit of Army special operations soldiers was recently deployed to Iraq to advise on counterterrorism and to help with intelligence. It is possible that at least some of the MC-130 aircraft previously mentioned were delivering these special operations troops to Iraq.

Another report on Sept. 24, this one by the Le Figaro French-language newspaper, said some 100 French special operations troops had been deployed in the sub-Saharan region to counteract militants in northern Mali. Le Figaro also reported that maritime patrol aircraft that can be used to collect intelligence will be deployed to the region and that commandos of the French navy will reinforce the French special operations troops.

pataka lang ug yawit ning mga tawong ignorante sa constitution ug basic human rights. gov. garcia should shut up.

source: PNA

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she supports the inclusion of online libel in the Cybercrime Prevention Act, saying the law should be enforced and tested before any amendments are pursued.

”I support President Benigno Aquino’s stand, freedom of speech and expression must always be tempered with responsibility and accountability,” said Garcia.

”While there is a libel law that can be applied against broadcast or print, the social media are practically unregulated,” Garcia said.

Garcia is running for the third district’s congressional seat in Cebu, which will be her first legislative position if she wins.

At least 10 petitions have been filed asking the Supreme Court to strike down Republic Act 101751, which the president signed into law in mid-September.

The law also provides penalties for cybersex, identity theft and online fraud.

Garcia said the uproar of the bloggers and users of Twitter and Facebook users is understandable, yet she believes it is time that regulations on social media be introduced.

The governor is also a Twitter user (@gwengarcia1ph).

”Perhaps, it’s really the time that there must be some form of regulation because while we will always uphold the freedom of expression such freedom comes with responsibility and accountability,” she said.

”All other freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution but at the same time, there are laws that define our freedom; we need parameters and standards by which freedom may be exercised,” Garcia said.

But Akbayan party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquiel said the law should be amended right away because of its unconstitutional provisions.

”The cybercrime bill started with a good intention, which was to combat cyber-bullying, crimes in the Internet, including the terrible crime of human trafficking. But what happened is that not only was the provision on cyber bullying removed, unconstitutional provisions were also inserted,” Baraquiel said.

The controversial law expands libel, as defined in the Revised Penal Code, to the internet but provides for penalties one degree tougher.

In the code, the penalty for a libel conviction is six months and a day up to six years of imprisonment or fine of P200 to P6,000, or both penalties.

In the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which took effect last October 3, the prison term is six to 12 years in jail, in addition to other penalties.

Gov. Garcia's brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district), earlier said he voted for the passage of the House’s version of the cybercrime law.

we remember how city mayor dan lim attacked the attempts of the torralbas to build a political dynasty in tagbilaran city, bohol. joe torralba fielded his wife as mayoral candidate in 2004 after his three terms expired.

now dan lim is doing the very same thing that he pretentiously hated. today he fielded his wife, sharleen, to run as vice-governor, and his brother, abraham, city mayor, as he himself seeks a congressional seat in the first district. meanwhile, his nephew, baba yap, is running for city mayor against his own uncle, abraham.

source: PDI

DAVAO CITYâ€"Mayor Sara Duterte has defied her father’s wishes and withdrawn from the race for congressman against a key Duterte political rival in a move that is raising more questions than answers here.

The tipping scale was seen to tilt in favor of the incumbent congressman of the first district, Karlo Nograles, following Sara’s decision not to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for representative in violation of an apparent deal with her father, Rodrigo Duterte, who is running for mayor of the city again.

Rodrigo, incumbent vice mayor, is running for mayor against four opponents who are not known. He is reclaiming his old post after term limits forced him to let go of the mayoral position and sit as vice mayor of his daughter while waiting for the opening to run for mayor again.

Rodrigo had counted on Sara to run against Karlo, incumbent congressman and son of key Arroyo ally and former Speaker Prospero Nograles, who is a bitter Duterte rival.

The Nograles family has been able to keep the first district seat in the last 20 years by alternately fielding father and son when term limits catch up with them.

Instead of heeding her father’s wish, Sara shut the door to another elective post. She released a statement in the afternoon of the last day of filing COCs, saying she was not running for reelection to allow her father to reclaim his old post. Neither is she running for congressman as her father had wanted.

Deep in the Costa Rican jungle, a fisherman named Chito discovered a crocodile that had been shot in the eye by a cattle farmer and left for dead. Chito was able to drag the massive reptile into his boat and brought him to his home, where he stayed by his side for months, nursing him back to health.

He named the croc Pocho. “I stayed by Pocho’s side while he was ill, sleeping next to him at night. I just wanted him to feel that somebody loved him, that not all humans are bad.” said Chito, ““It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day. I love all animals â€" especially ones that have suffered.”

The day finally came when Pocho was strong enough to go back into the wild. Chito took him to a lake near his house and released him, but the animal simply got back out of the water and followed him home.

“Then I found out that when I called his name he would come over to me.” says Chito. The fisherman has been hesitant to tell his story, even though 20 years have passed since he first rescued Pocho.

Pocho is roughly 5.18 meters (17 feet) long. He and Chito play, wrestle and hug on a daily basis. That bond, Chito said, took years to forge.

“After a decade I started to work with him.”, says Chito casually, “At first it was slow, slow. I played with him a bit, slowly doing more.”

Chito has told his story now only to raise awareness of the cruelty that can be done to animals, and the difference that affection and treating other rightly can make.

“He’s my friend, I don’t want to treat him like a slave or exploit him.”
said Chito, “I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he needs.”

source: Facebook.com

By Bohol Chronicle

“I’m ready to leave, but willing to stay.”

This was the statement made by Police Senior Supt. Constantino Barot Jr. during an interview with “Inyong Alagad” on Wednesday following calls for him to extend his tour of duty on the occasion of Tuesday’s Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting.

The provincial police director, who was designated Bohol Police Provincial Director in September 2010 or two years ago, is due for reassignment, consistent with the Philippine National Police (PNP) rules, admitted his prolonged stay as provincial police chief could hurt his chances for promotion.

However, Barot explained, it is always the prerogative of the Police Director General whether or not he may be given an extended tour of duty.

“Being a good follower, I will await any order from Camp Crame (PNP Headquarters), but definitely I cannot leave my post without any relief order,” Barot stressed.

The PNP routinely conducts reshuffling to ensure the neutrality of police officers during the election period, Barot said.

Under the rules of the PNP, a chief of police would serve in their assigned post for two consecutive years and will be given another assignment after that.

So far, Barot said he has not received any “feelers” regarding his next posting as Camp Crame officials are the ones who decide the matter.

The PPOC meeting on Tuesday at the Crab House Restaurant saw the passage of a resolution asking the PNP national headquarters to extend Barot’s posting in Bohol even as there are some quarters who oppose the extension.

Barot said in the interview that he respects those who express critical views on his handling of the Bohol police force.

The provincial police chief came under fire recently by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim after Barot relieved Supt. Gil Del Prado from the Tagbilaran City Police Station just two days after a broad daylight double robbery perpetrated by 8 alleged members of the Alferez crime syndicate of Ozamis City right at the heart of the city’s business district.

“Relieving Del Prado is a command decision, which others consider a biased and unfair action. But let me say that similar action have been taken by other police commanders for the failure of their subordinates to act on situations akin that of the City Square heist,” Barot explained.

By Bohol Chronicle

The finger-pointing as to who is receiving payoffs from illegal gambling operations is alive.

Responding to accusations of Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim that he is a “protector” of underground financiers of the illegal numbers game swertres, Police Senior Superintendent Constantino Barot Jr. challenged the city chief executive to substantiate his accusations.

Barot lashed back at the mayor disclosing police intelligence indicating that the mayor is the one “cuddling” swertres financiers and operators.

“Since I assumed as provincial police director, I have been receiving information that he (Mayor Lim) is on the protection [racket of swertres financiers],” Barot said in an interview with “Inyong Alagad” on Wednesday as he answered a questioned posed by a radio listener who relayed the allegations made by the city mayor levelled against the police chief.

“I challenge him to show his evidence and prove accusations that I am in fact involved in illegal gambling and other illegal activities,” Barot said in the interview.

The endless finger-pointing has to end, according to Barot as this only leads to public confusion and misinformation.

For several days now, the city mayor has been on the offensive accusing not only Barot of being on “the take” but likewise launched innuendos targeting other “ranking provincial officials” as swertres protectors.

According to the mayor, a swertres financier has bared that a monthly payola of P300,000 to three officials is keeping the illegal numbers game operations alive.

But Barot dared the mayor to “name names”, name the alleged payola recipients and the financier.

Barot reiterated that any form of illegal gambling cannot flourish without the “blessings” of local officials.

Other than Barot and unnamed Capitol officials, the mayor is also accusing the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and chiefs of police as recipients of regular payoffs from underground financiers.

Barot had said that ever since the police have been making arrests of swertres ushers, runners and operators, nobody from the police rank-and-file has called him up or asked him personally to spare someone who is apprehended because they are receiving payola from them.

The provincial PNP director added that local executives (mayors) are the ones tasked to spearhead the anti-swertres campaign.

“The public knows that if mayors do not allow the illegal numbers game in their area, swertres would not thrive,” Barot said.

Barot had admitted however that the Bohol police, since the start of his tenure as provincial director, have yet to capture the virtual “big fish” among swertres operators here in the province.

“It is hard to link financiers to the day-to-day operations since most of them are not directly involved in the illegal activity and are just providing the financial capital for operators and coordinators. Even if we raid homes of suspected financiers, there is probably nothing that could directly tie them up to illegal swertres,” Barot explained.

By Bohol Chronicle

At the risk of being seen as a political move, provincial lawmakers on Tuesday assured they will pursue an inquiry into the drastic plunge in revenues from the operation of the Chocolate Hills Complex in the town of Carmen.

This was bared by Third District Board Member Godofreda Tirol on Tuesday with “Inyong Alagad” in reaction to a public uproar over her privileged speech questioning the drop in revenues of the Chocolate Hills Complex, of which the provincial government is entitled a 30-percent sharing.

Station dyRD’s lines ran hot with reactions from listeners while Tirol was being interviewed â€" some demanding an explanation from the Carmen officialdom.

However, repeated attempts to interview Carmen Mayor Conchita Delos Reyes, Municipal Administrator Atty. Eliezar Cagol and Chocolate Hills Complex Manager Narciso Toribio failed.

Calls on the landline and mobile phones of Mayor Delos Reyes and Cagol were not answered while Toribio admitted over “Inyong Alagad” that much as he wanted to answer the queries, a “gag order” had been issued by the mayor herself saying that all questions will be answered by either Delos Reyes or the municipal administrator.

Several suggestions were made to Tirol during the interview by well-meaning radio listeners. Among which was the turnover of the complex management to the provincial government.

One caller offered that Capitol should assign an accountant and auditor for the complex since this is the only remaining economic enterprise unit which the provincial government has remaining interest.

Another listener suggested that the Chocolate Hills Complex should be bidded out to private investors and be handled by professionals in managing tourism-related businesses.

Tirol said that while the province owns only 30-percent of the enterprise, it can always question the operations of the complex.

According to tourist transport operators who were closely monitoring the management of the complex, private businesses who were driven out of the complex may have caused the income to decrease since these businesses were contributing 20-percent of their income as rental to the municipal government of Carmen.

Instead of the 20-percent rental income being included in the complex’s overall revenues, these businesses are now required to pay business permits which directly goes to the municipal government.

Tirol expressed disbelief that despite claims of increasing tourist arrivals in the province, the income of the Choco complex has declined.

For the past 5 years, the income from the complex has consistently climbed by 50% to 70% while this year, it registered a drop to -16%.

Rene Acosta / Reporter

LAW graduates trooped to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila on Sunday for the start of the Bar examinations amid a tight security that was imposed by Manila policemen.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr., chairman of this year’s Bar Examinations Committee, said a total 5,710 law graduates applied to take the Bar, but 19 of them withdrew their applications, while others were not allowed to take the tests.

The examinations will take four Sundays, with the examinees tackling a total of eight subjects, or two subjects for every examination day.

The subjects are political law and labor and social legislation, which the would-be lawyers took up on Sunday, and mercantile law, criminal law, remedial law and legal ethics and practical exercises.

Villarama said the examinations were in the forms of multiple-choice questions, which has a total weight average of 60 percent; and essay, with a total weight average of 40 percent.

magsakit diay imong pus-on ani kung maohon labina kung 6 hours imong booking or even for just 90 minutes.

dili maayo ang sabaw sa bihag sa mga hubakon ug naay sakit sa kasing-kasing ug uban pang balatian.

Loyal Dog

dear miss georgia,

kung ikaw ang asawa, unsa kahay imong bation?

maalagaron,
tubagbohol.com

source: facebook.com

a dog pulling his disabled owner forward across a very busy street. This is what we call unconditional love and a permanent job.

Petition 12 - filed by Tubagbohol.com members? what do you think?

where is the panglao reclamation project?

Vandalism vs Progress

4shared.com
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netload.in
hotfile.com
rapidshare.com
mediafire.com
uploading.com
2shared.com
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A Very Lucky Ninja Turtle

Artista Academy Much Better Than Pinoy Big Brother

Pinoy Big Brother show is one of the most stupid programs ever created.

to own a Google Nexus is more than enough. for reading pleasure, own an Amazon kindle.

when is round 2, balong?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtQt_3O1cVk#
Tito Sotto Says Australia is in Asia (kono)

at first, it was kris aquino nga giibid-ibiran ni chiz for media mileage. nakilig pud si kris. you know kris.

To Mike Arroyo: Estoryahe!

By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo says graft charges against him in connection with the botched NBN-ZTE deal should be dropped because he did not work for the government.

Being a civilian during the presidency of his wife, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is Mike’s shield against graft charges.

He may be able to get off the hook in the NBN-ZTE gross overprice deal because he didn’t hold any government position during his wife’s term.

Technically, that is, although he brandished the title of “First Gentleman” like a badge of honor even if many say “honor” is not in his vocabulary.

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has finally admitted that actress Heart Evangelista is his girlfriend.

Escudero made this admission on Friday’s episode of ABS-CBN’s morning show, “Kris TV.”

“Is Heart Evangelista your girlfriend?” asked Kris Aquino, the main host of the show.

“I’d like to think so, yes, ” Escudero said.

Comment: Political gimmick for the 2013 election?

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines â€" Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is now planning to file a bill seeking to junk the libel law.
“Gusto nila magpa-file naman ako ng bill, alisin na natin ang libel para pwede ko na rin silang murahin (If they want, I will file a bill to remove libel so I can also engage them in mudslinging),” Sotto said in an interview over radio on Wednesday.

“Pwede, alisin natin para parehas na ang laban. Maganda yan, pag-aaralan ko yan hanggang Lunes (We can remove that to have a fair play. That’s a good idea. I will study that until Monday),” he said.

“Alisin na natin ang gag sa masama broadcast, sa radyo, sa TV. Kung malaya sa Internet, pwede silang mambastos, mambaboy…gawin na din natin sa media. Kailangan pare-parehas,” Sotto added.

Asked if he was serious about his proposal, the senator said, “Oo, tinatabla lang natin sila sa inyo (Yes, we’re just levelling the playing field.)”

“Hindi na decriminalizing, removing. Magda-draft ako in the next few days (We will no longer decriminalize libel, we will remove it altogether. I will make a draft in the next few days),” he said.

It was Sotto who proposed the libel provision in the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. And he defended his decision to include libel as one of the punishable offenses in the law.

Sotto insisted that the online libel was not meant to gag Internet users from posting criticisms against any person or official in government but only against cybersex, and libelous materials.

“Gusto nilang i-criticize ako, e di i-criticize ako nila ako basta huwag lang libelous. Huwag lang yung nambabastos , nambababoy kung tawagin below the belt kasi kung gusto nila ng ganun, pwede din ako dun (If they want to shame me, then do so as long they don’t make it libelous, below the belt…),” he added.

Good read: http://raissarobles.com/2012/10/05/the-cybercrime-law-was-brought-to-you-by-7-senators-12-congressmen/

By Bartek Sejwa

basta naay warrant of arrest, pa-hospital dayon. maro nga dako!

once the warrant of arrest is squashed, gawas na pud sa hospital. kita ra giuto-uto ani.

by Bloomberg.com

An arrest warrant was issued to former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo at a government hospital after a court charged her with misappropriating funds from a charity.

Arroyo was admitted to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City suffering from dehydration and a numb hand, ABS- CBN reported yesterday. An anti-graft court ordered Arroyo’s arrest on Oct. 3 on charges she diverted 366 million pesos ($8.82 million) for personal gain.

by Chinadaily.co.cn

According to Yanzhao Metropolis Daily, China has around 60,000 billionaires, adding that more than 50 per cent of assets in the country are owned by wealthy Chinese and are in the form of currency and deposits. Meanwhile, the Chinese Luxury Consumer White Paper 2012 reported that there are 2.7 million high net worth individuals in the country and their personal assets are more than 6 million yuan ($950,000). The average age of these wealthy individuals is 39 years old. Among them, there are a bunch of ultra-high net worth individuals with assets of more than 100 million yuan and had an average age of 41.

Most might know that there are many poor people more than rich in China. But look at another side of the truth, there are millions of them rich as well. Most of them are business owners, real estate speculators, professional investors and well-paid professionals. And the majority of the rich people reside in Beijing.

basta panahon sa eleksyon manggawas gyud ning gipangtaligsikan.

They Want To Become Filipino Senators

By: Rey Anthony Chiu

President Benigno Simeon Aquino impresses the critical roles of government frontrunners when he graced the awarding ceremonies of the Lupong Tagapamayapa and the Ten Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY) in Bohol, September 26.

In Bohol, the rare opportunity for the barangay officials to be the main purpose of the president’s visit may not happen again, pointed out a barangay kagawad who was nominated in the TOBOY but lost to another performing elected barangay official.

The visit to Bohol was in time for the First Bohol Barangay Day, which aimed at honoring and recognizing the roles of the barangays in governance, according to Liga ng Mga Barangays provincial representative Board Member Crispina Vergara.

The visit was the President’s second official sortie in Bohol after August 1, 2011 when he attended the Regional Peace and Order Council and inaugurated the modern municipal hall in Trinidad.

First started in Bohol, the TOBOY as an innovation in governance caught Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) attention, at least in Region 7, enough to adopt it as a template for a search of the best public officials in the barangays who have shown exemplary performance in the discharge of their functions, according to Bohol DILG Director Louella Lucino.

TOBOY categories include Outstanding Punong Barangays, Barangay Treasurer, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Kagawad and Sangguniang Kabataan.

The search for the Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa was also added to giver recognition to barangay peace and arbitration council in an effort to decongest the often-clogged courts.

The 2011 TOBOY winners include: Barangay Chairmen Amado Samijon of Bentig Calape, Bohol (1st to 3rd class towns) and Alan E. Mangmang of Songculan Dauis (4th to 6th class towns).

For Barangay Kagawads, the winners are Leonor N. Samijon of Bentig, Calape and Nicolas G. Gamao of Boyog Proper, Balilihan. Winners for the Barangay Secretaries are Marie Xanthophyll L. Mirasol of Lajog Clarin and Ignacia O. Bacquial of Bentig, Calape. For Barangay Treasurers, the winners are Marithel B. Patac of Boctol Balilihan and Esmeralda L. Halawig of Bentig, Calape.

For the Sangguniang Kabataan, the winners are Charlene D. Maliza of Zamora Bilar and Mark Jayson G. Rosales of bantig Calape, Bohol.

For the Barangay Lupong Tagapamayapa, this year’s winners are Santo Nino, Talibon represented by Chairman Lazaro Artiaga and Sonculan Dauis represented by Chairman Alan Mangmang.

In his speech, the president hailed the winning barangay officials calling them the best personification of what a pubic servant can be.

“Today, on this Barangay Day, we recognize the loftiest example of Boholano contribution in lifting our country, for the serve with utmost industry and integrity for the benefit of their constituents,” the President, who came in with Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Senator TJ Guingona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almenras, and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said.

“Sa araw-araw, kayo ang pangunahing tagapag-ingat nga tiwala nga ating mga mamamayan, kayo ang direaktang tumutugon sa kanilang hinanaing at pangangailangan,” he said in Filipino.

By: Rey Anthony Chiu

President Benigno Simeon Aquino revealed three major infrastructure projects that he said would increase Bohol’s global competitiveness as one of the world’s top tourism destinations.

In his latest visit to Bohol, the President, this time promised the operation of the new Panglao Bohol Airport four years after today, this after the National Economic Development Authority Board approved the P7.4 billion air facility a good minute away from the famed beaches of the prime tourist island.

He said the construction of the air facility starts in November of 2013 and would be completed as he steps out of office by 2016.

“Alam nating turismo ang isa sa mga pangunahin ninyong industriya. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakakilala sa Chocolate Hills at tarsiers ng Bohol? Kaya dagdagan pa natin ang magandang balita: inaprubahan na noong ika-4 ng Setyembre ng NEDA Board ang New Bohol Airport na itatayo sa Panglao,” according to the President.

“We have apportioned P7.4 billion for this project. We anticipate the initial construction in November next year. And before my term ends in 2016, you will have a new and modern airport, the president spoke in Filipino, before a gathering of barangay officials for the First Barangay Day in Bohol held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium September 26.

Several Boholanos however take the revelation with a shrug.

Former President Arroyo uttered similar statements when her administration approved the bidding price of P6.2 billion for the airport with international standards. The amount was reviewed for alleged overpricing.

“We would believe until we can see the project,” a clearly ambivalent Panglao town Mayor Benedicto Alcala said.

Meanwhile, the President also bared the construction of the P138 million Sagbayan-Danao National Road, which leads to Bohol’s premier extreme adventure experience as a national priority.

The paving of the 20+-kilometer road stretch cuts travel time from Tagbilaran to Danao significantly, tourist drivers said.

Now, with the road in the process of construction, Danao is still three hours away from the city, the travel time often discouraging day tourists from trying out the extreme experience that topbills the Plunge: a canyon swing experience that drops harnessed-tourists from a swinging platform to an abyss two hundred meters below.

President Aquino also told Boholanos of the ongoing road network of Antequera-San Isidro to Libertad-Tubigon Road too ease travel of goods and services as well as ensure safety of people traveling these areas.

The road network effectively connects landlocked town San Isidro to Antequera and Tubigon, its nearest port to Cebu.

A Face That Launched A Thousand Ships

Wala Pa Gihapon Malutas, Pastilan!

By Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITYâ€"A local independent food-review group has spooned Gerardas from among the more than 60 local restaurants to be served the prestigious Eating Out in Bohol Restaurant of the Year Award in 2012.

Gerarda’s Restaurant is one of only three four star restaurants and faced stiff competition to be awarded the prize.

The result was published in an independent review restaurant website after its members went incognito through every rated restaurant in Bohol, assessing every service and food while posting their raves at www.eatingoutbohol.com.

The reviewers noted that Gerarda’s Restaurant had continually provided exceptional quality dining with professional front desk, house staff and creative chefs. The restaurant has also continued to improve since the restaurant was first reviewed in October 2011 and has become a favorite of many discerning Bohol diners.

“We hope to see more and more starred restaurants in the next twelve months and Gerarda’s Restaurant goes to show that you don’t need to be in a 5 star resort to offer great food.”

“We are incredibly pleased that we could award the first ever Eating Out In Bohol Restaurant of The Year Award to a Pinoy restaurant” said the head reviewer Fred Foodie.

“The restaurant scene in Bohol continues to grow with a number of exciting new players added throughout 2012,” he added.

The Eating Out In Bohol web site has been created to celebrate all things food and has been developed as a resource to showcase the incredible diversity of dining options in Bohol, website developers said.

“By this, we also hope to encourage restaurateurs to continue to improve their quality of service and food preparation while promoting the use of locally grown and raised organic produce,” food reviewer Foodie said.

Since its inception in May 2011 the reviewers have visited over 60 restaurants, 20 of which have made it onto the site, according to a press material sent by organizers.

Since its becoming a major tourism destination, Bohol has also offered another potential tourism attraction in its food.

Those wanting to know about the reviewed restaurants, visit www.eatingoutbohol.com for the online reviews.(RAC)

By Ven rebo Arigo

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday twice committed right in front of the Boholanos to build the long-fancied P7.4 billion new Bohol airport on Panglao island within his time.

The president’s firm words served as a reassurance of his pronouncement in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila last July to construct and finish the airport before he leaves Malacañang in 2016.

Aquino declared in the mass oath-taking to the Liberal Party (LP) at the Bohol Cultural Center here Wednesday afternoon that the concrete implementation of the ambitious project will start in November next year.

He made the same commitment less than an hour earlier when he keynoted the first Bohol Barangay Day celebration attended by some 7,000 barangay officials at the Bohol Wisdom School gym.

Gov. Edgar Chatto thanked the president and his administration for the imminent Bohol development breakthrough that is the modern airport of international standard.

Aquino confirmed that the construction of the gigantic air terminal was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board during its September 4 meeting led by the president himself.

The new airport is crucial to accommodating the demands of tourism as the president heralded the industry to boom dramatically in this part of the country with the aggressive, irresistible promotion of Bohol as the “Heart of the Islands” that is “Truly Philippines.”

The bold plan to have four direct flights a week from two known Korea points to Bohol hopefully starting this mid-December despite the limited capacity of the existing Tagbilaran City airport already hints of much more that a far bigger modern airport can do to the economy .

In another indication of its getting globalized, Bohol is soon to seal a twinning pact with the province of San Sebastian in Colombia, South America.

Once the new Bohol airport is fully done and operational, the Tagbilaran airport can be transformed into a potential business park as mulled by some key development planners from both the private and government sectors.

Usec. Cristino Panlilio said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has shortlisted 300 Japanese companies for possible relocation to different good business sites in the Philippines.

The Bohol airport project is schemed for implementation with huge foreign support under the so-called Official Development Assistance (ODA) thru the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to Rep. Rene Relampagos, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under Mar Roxas, who is the new DILG chief, already released the department order on the different committees for the execution of the Bohol airport project.

The DOTC order likewise mandated the composition of the steering committee which vice chairman is Chatto with Relampagos sitting as a member.

source: ABS-CBNnews.com

Sen. Lito Lapid had to apologize for feeling "uneasy" during the ABS-CBN trade event held Wednesday night, where his TV comeback project was launched before advertisers.

"Nanlalamig ako eh, kasi first time ko mag-teleserye, first time ko mag-TV. Ang tagal ko nang artista pero first time ko gagawin 'to," Lapid told ABS-CBN news at the sidelines of the Kapamilya network's trade event tiled "A Beautiful Affair."

"Pasensya na ah, dahil hindi ako masyadong komportable," he added, before excusing himself from interviews with reporters.

Having earned his breakthrough role as the horse-riding Leon Guerrero in the '70s, the actor-turned-politician is set to topbill the upcoming fantasy series titled "Little Champ."

"Excited ako, ang sarap ng feeling, naging bata ulit ako," he said of his comeback showbiz project.

For his return to acting, Lapid will be "paired" with a "superhero" horse, a principal character in the series. In early September, a teaser trailer for "Little Champ" (above) was released, showcasing the talking white horse.

"Nagsasalita 'yung kabayo, nag-uusap kaming dalawa. Nagkakaintindihan kami, kasi pag nakalunon ng bato 'yung kabayo -- kasi patpatin siya't payat -- lalaki siya na para talagang superhero siya," Lapid said in an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News.

published by ABS-CBN.com: source

Actress-singer Sharon Cuneta, who has been a target of online criticisms, sees nothing wrong with the controversial Republic Act (RA) No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act .

In her official Twitter account, Cuneta explained that while she supports freedom of speech, she does not favor anonymous criticism.

"Madaming nasasaktan kasi nagtatago sa ibang identity ang iba at tumatapang. Wala nang privacy ang mga tao. Pag may free speech, dapat may responsibility. Eh ang iba parang 'di na tayo human beings, wala nang delicadeza. Dapat lang ma-punish ang mga naninirang puri. Pag sinira mo ang pangalan ng isang taong wala naman masamang ginagawa, para mo na siyang pinatay," Cuneta said when asked by one of her followers about her stand on the new law.

She added: "I'm all for the punishment of cybercrime. Some people have just gone too far."

maayo man si sharon cuneta kay P1 Billion ang gihatag sa TV5 for her to jump to another channel from ABS-CBN. So she can afford to hire the best lawyers in the world to defend her ranting and hysterics at twitter.com.

Philippine Government Imposes Martial Law on Filipino Citizens

full text of his statement

The Curious Case of Tito Sotto Part 2

Philippine Cybercrime Law Worse Than Marcos' Martial Law

Philippine Cybercrime Law Will Spare the Rich and Powerful

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you'd face jail for standing for democracy.

Philippines Worse Than China in Online Censorship

Public Enemy Number One of Internet Users in the Philippines

Philippine Government Declares Martial Law for Internet Users

Philippine Government to Spend P50 Million A Year To Shut You Up

P50 Million is the annual budget for the implementation of Cybercrime Law.

Philippine Cyberlaw Will Oppress Every Filipino Internet User

source: Facebook Page

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CYBERCRIME LAW.

1. Republic Act No. 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law was passed last September 12, 2012, signed by our President Benigno Aquino III. Its main proponent is Senator Edgardo Angara.

According to Senator Angara,
“This measure will deter people from committing crimes because the virtual world will no longer be a lawless realm. Its enactment sends out a strong message to the world that the Philippines is serious about keeping cyberspace safe.”

2. During the bill’s third reading, Sen. Sotto proposed to include Section 19 in the law; one of its provisions is ‘Online Libel’.

According to Raissa Robles, blogger and lawyer,
“No congressional public hearing was ever held on libel in the Internet. This section on libel has grave implications for freedom of speech on the Internet. People who post on Facebook, Twitter and write comments in news websites can be sued for libel in much more insidious ways than those in the traditional news media.”

3. Penalty for those who committed crimes via online is one degree higher. While the law is unclear how libel is actually committed over the internet. Double jeopardy is even allowed, meaning you can be charged with libel twice (one for the internet and one for regular publication).

4. Offense of libel via cybercrime law cover computer systems, this includes cellphone and storage devices as well “as any other similar means which may be devised in the future.” By this, even ordinary conversations over text, tweets, shares, comments, are a target of imposition of the State’s immense powers.

5. Cybercrime law violates our privacy. On the basis of due cause, the law permits the government to monitor and record real time traffic data. We now have our government, watching our activities over the internet. This law also allows Department of Justice â€" Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to conduct data gathering without warrant.
6. In addition to number five, Cybercrime law violates free speech. Now, the government can take down websites, restrict and block access to computer data by mere prima facie evidence, meaning, it establishes a fact but is not a conclusive evidence of its existence.
7. By creating a new offense called, ‘cybercrime through data interference’, this law can be used to attack freedom of expression. Alteration of electronic photos for memes or posters can be punished under this law. Cyberspace is a wide and complex avenue, this law does not state whether “authority” is based on who created it or by mere interest therein.

8. Non-compliance of the provisions of Cybercrime law penalizes anyone, even if the failure to comply is valid. This is equivalent to imprisonment or a fine of Php 100,000.

9. While six petitions have been filed at Supreme Court to stop the implementation of such law, SC disregard people’s appeal and did not release Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Presidential spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda defended the cybercrime law, “…freedom of expression is not absolute.”

10. According to United Nation Human Rights Council, internet freedom is a basic human right that all people should be allowed to express themselves freely and openly online, without fear of being disconnected.


JUNK THE CYBERCRIME LAW!
UPHOLD INTERNET FREEDOM!

hubz, what is the direct url of the photobucket image? i will be the one to upload it as your avatar.

by AFP

Mitt Romney regained momentum in the first debate by aggressively standing up to Barack Obama, analysts said, but it remains to be seen how much he can budge the needle in the White House race.

Obama spoke longer during the 90-minute showdown in Denver on Wednesday, but the Republican challenger landed more blows against an often-subdued president in their first of three debates ahead of the Nov.6 vote.
“I don't think there's any doubt... that Romney won,” G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College, who has monitored elections since 1960, told AFP.

A flash poll conducted by CNN bore that out: adult viewers of the debate by a 67%-25% margin said Romney won.
Similarly, a CBS News instant poll had undecided voters proclaiming Romney the victor by a two to one margin.
“The president certainly wasn't on the top of his game tonight,” Madonna said.

Romney was more aggressive “without being pugnacious or provocative or combative,” hitting the president on his economic record while steadily returning to the theme that a Romney presidency would create more jobs and stimulate faster economic growth than the current administration.

“Was it a huge victory? No. Did the president fall flat on his face? Of course not,” Madonna said.

“But what Romney had to do was get up on the stage, be the aggressor, make his points and instill a sense of confidence among Republicans that he can still win an election... and I think he accomplished that.” Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, is desperate to turn around poll numbers that show him trailing the president going into the home stretch.

From the beginning he challenged Obama on taxes and federal spending, insisting that the president's claim that Romney would bring $5.4 trillion in tax cuts geared towards the wealthy was “inaccurate.””The president has a view very similar to the view he had when he ran four years ago, that a bigger government, spending more, taxing more, regulating more -- if you will trickle-down government -- would work,” Romney said.

“That's not the right answer for America. I'll restore the vitality that gets America working again,” he vowed. “Middle-income families are being crushed, and the question is, how to get them going again.”Obama seemed to shy away, adopting a far less confrontational tone than many of the attack ads his campaign has been running.

welcome, ricbarol. share what you know.

Dia pa Sotto, deny pa gyud

kung modaog ka ug lotto, relocate dayon ug puyo sa gawas sa nasod. dili ka kasalig sa imong mga silingan. mao ray mounay ug tulis.

magtago-tago ni sila kay target sa mga tulisan. mao niy problema kung modaog ka ug lotto.