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PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY April 16 - 30 , 2018
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PH condoles with Canada on van rampage in Toronto
The Philippines government has conveyed its condolences to Canada following the tragic incident that left 10 people and 15 others injured when the driver of a van plowed into pedestrians in a busy major thoroughfare in Toronto , Monday afternoon , ( Tuesday morning in Manila ).
“ Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Canada . We mourn with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy ,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement issued on Tuesday , April 24 .
The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa said it has not received any report of Filipinos among the dead or injured while the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is still conducting verification with authorities and with the Filipino community .
The DFA said there are approximately 270,000 Filipinos in Toronto and nearby areas .
In a report to the DFA , Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia said the incident took place in one of Toronto ’ s busiest thoroughfares when a man drove his van into a sidewalk and started running people down at around 1:30 pm on Monday .
According to latest reports , authorities have already in their custody the suspect , Alek Minassian , a college student and native of Toronto suburb Richmond Hill . ( R . Mabasa , mb )
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Foreign affairs secretary , Alan Peter Cayetano ( mb . com )
Roderick Paulate charged over ghost employees
Actor and Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate has been charged before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly hiring ghost employees in 2010 .
Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on April 20 , Paulate was charged with one count of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and nine counts of falsification under the Revised Penal Code .
His driver and liaison officer Vicente Bajamunde was also named respondent .
Based on the charge sheet prepared by graft investigation and prosecution officer Michelle Villabesa , Paulate allegedly conspired with Bajamunde in defrauding the government of P1.109 million by hiring 30 fictitious job contractors from
July to November 2010 .
The ombudsman said Paulate falsified the employees ’ job orders , including their signatures to oblige the city government to allocate funds for their salaries .
Paulate and Bajamunde allegedly prepared bogus personal data sheets of the non-existent contractors as supporting documents , according to the ombudsman .
The respondents allegedly falsified eight payrolls certifying that the contractors each rendered 40 hours of service per week .
Because of the fake payrolls , Paulate , through Bajamunde , was able to collect from the city treasurer ’ s office P1.109 million representing the contractors ’ salaries from July 1 to Nov . 15 , 2010 .
The ombudsman said the fund was released to Bajamunde by virtue of an authorization letter signed by Paulate .
Bajamunde and Paulate allegedly affixed in the payrolls the signatures of the ghost employees to make it appear that they have received their salaries .
The ombudsman recommended bail of P246,000 and P222,000 for Paulate and Bajamunde , respectively .
In January 2016 , the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Paulate ’ s dismissal from public service for administrative offenses of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct over the alleged hiring of ghost employees .
But the Court of Appeals granted Paulate ’ s petition for review and overturned the ombudsman ’ s ruling in December 2016 . ( E . Marcelo , PS )
Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on April 20 , Paulate was charged with one count of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and nine counts of falsification under the Revised Penal Code . ( PS file )
GMA is first Philippine network to create content at YouTube
GMA Network made history anew as the first Filipino broadcast network to produce content at the YouTube Space New York .
Top Kapuso stars Dennis Trillo , Jennylyn Mercado , Lovi Poe , Alden Richards , Betong Sumaya , and Dingdong Dantes took a side trip at the YouTube Space prior to the GMA Pinoy TV Sikat Ka , Kapuso ! show in New Jersey to bond with each other and create videos which were uploaded on GMA ’ s YouTube channel .
The artists produced videos which presented them differently from what the fans usually see .
The first video , dubbed “ Concert Ko ‘ To !”, featured a fun musical set where the artists showcased their versatility as they performed popular nursery rhymes that have been re-arranged .
Alden and Betong gave a funky
rendition of “ London Bridge is Falling Down ,” followed by Lovi and Dennis who rendered a romantic ballad version of “ Row , Row , Row Your Boat ”. Jennylyn , on the other hand , performed a rock vibe version of “ If You ’ re Happy and You Know It ” while Dingdong channeled his inner boy band leader with “ Twinkle , Twinkle Little Star .”
Aside from “ Concert Ko ‘ To !”, they also produced other segments such as “ What ’ s in my phone ?”, “ Pass the intrigahan ”, and “ What ’ s your favorite Kapuso show ?”.
The Kapuso artists ’ YouTube Space visit was made possible
through the joint efforts of GMA International and GMA Entertainment Content Group , in coordination with GMA New Media Inc ., and YouTube Space New York .
Located in key cities across the globe , the YouTube Space is a venue
that brings together YouTube creators to attend workshops , events , and produce content using their provided facilities .
To watch the first video created at the YouTube Space , visit http :// bit . do / KapusoConcertYTSpaceNY .