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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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MANILA --- Actor Edu Manzano may have to say goodbye to his showbiz career to avoid any conflict of interest and focus on his duties as chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB).
Or he may quit as OMB chairman and concentrate on his acting career but not both, according to the legal opinion issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ affirmed Malacañang’s order directing Manzano to forgo appearing on television and in the movies after he accepted the government position, Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III revealed.
Paras said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez had signed an eight-page legal opinion advising Manzano against appearing in television and movies while performing his duties as OMB chairman.
"Manzano is expected to devote his entire time and energy in the performance of his duties and is thus precluded from other pursuits or occupations such as acting or appearing in television shows," Gonzalez said.
The DOJ cited a conflict of interest in the case of Manzano if he continues to perform as an actor.
"How can he do his work as OMB chairman when he (Manzano) is appearing as host in a noon time show, and at a time when he is supposed to be working?" Paras argued.
Paras said Manzano should be considered a government official covered under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
RA 6713 prohibits incumbent government officials from engaging in private practice unless authorized by the Constitution or law.
The same law also provided that such practice of profession will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions, Paras said.
Paras stressed Manzano should resign as OMB chairman if he chooses to remain an actor.
Last March, Deputy Executive Secretary Manuel Gaite issued a memorandum expressly prohibiting Manzano from appearing on television shows since it would be in conflict with his duty as OMB chairman.
Manzano appealed Malacanangís memorandum arguing that under RA 6713, his profession as an actor is not included in the prohibition.
The Palace, however, referred the matter to the DOJ for a legal opinion. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Life goes on for Willie Revillame even if he is not working on a permanent TV show. In fact, he has never been so busy with work.
He keeps guesting in shows produced by both ABS-CBN and GMA 7, two giant networks. When Willie guested in “Extra Challenge,” GMA-7 paid him a cool P400,000 for the two-day shoot which took place in Indonesia. That particular episode recorded a rating of 46 per cent, the highest ever garnered by any primetime show.
Last Oct. 10, he guested with Randy Santiago in ABS-CBN’s “ASAP Mania.” That particular episode also earned a high rating.
“Suwerte ko lang siguro that every guesting I do, the program gets high ratings,” Willie said.
Willie was Korina Sanchez’s guest co-host in her birthday episode in “Rated K” on ABS-CBN. One of the guests was Maricel Soriano, who everybody knows is Willie’s “hilaw na hipag.” Maricel is the younger sister of Bec Bec Soriano, the mother of Willie’s eldest daughter, Meryl Soriano.
Right now, Willie is preparing for an eight-day tour in Japan as the Philippines’ Ambassador of Goodwill. He is assigned to do an Information Campaign of New Amendments Immigration Law for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Japan. He, together with comebacking star Almira Muhlach, will visit the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
“We have about 400,000 Filipinos in Japan. Some 40,000 of them are considered illegal aliens,” said Willie, “Sila ‘yong walang tamang papeles to stay in Japan para magtrabaho. Karamihan sa kanila ay TNT (tago ng tago).
“Now there is a danger that they’ll be forcibly deported. And we cannot blame the Japanese government,” he continued. “You see, two years ago, the Japanese government have issued a memorandum requesting all Filipino TNTs in Japan to give up, para mabigyan sila ng proper advice on how to leave Japan ng walang gulo.
“But obviously, our kababayans have ignored this. Now that offer for amnesty has elapsed. They are given until Dec. 2 to leave Japan or else....
“Alam n’yo ba kung anong parusa ang naghihintay sa kanila kung sakaling mahuli sila? Popusasan sila. Bukod sa ibibilanggo pa sila kapag ‘di nila nabayaran ang kaukulang piyansa which could amount to three million yen. The equivalent of that in pesos is P1.5 million.
“Hindi madaling problema ito. Di lang para sa kapuwa Pilipino natin who have overstayed in Japan kung hindi para sa ating gobyerno rin.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Kris Aquino minced no words when she declared on national television that she would be a hypocrite if she would say she's no longer in love with Joey Marquez. Because the truth of the matter is that she still loves him - deeply and sincerely.
Joey Marquez
Kris admitted this to no less than Alma Moreno, Joey's former wife, when Alma guested in "The Buzz."
Alma guested in the showbiz talk show hosted by Kris and Boy Abunda because she will soon join the "Hiram" cast, which includes Kris, Dina Bonnevie, Heart Evangelista, Anne Curtis, John Estrada, Christian Vasquez and newcomer Geoff Eigenmann.
Kris related that at first, the people behind "Hiram" were unsure on how she'd react when they tell her their decision to include Alma in the cast.
"When they told me about sabi ko sa kanila, I'll think about it," said Kris.
"Naisip ko that having Ate Ness (Alma's pet name) join me in the series would add to my desire to move on after Joey and I separated."
Kris revealed that she was the first to inform Alma that she will soon join the cast of "Hiram."
"Her (Alma) first question was what her role will be," Kris revealed. "So, sinabi ko sa kanya na baka may pagkamaldita siya dito. 'Di tulad ng role ko na mabait.
"Sabi niya (Alma), she'll consider the role if there's enough reason for her being maldita in the series.
"Obviously, she liked the role as she will soon start taping for 'Hiram'," she further stated.
Unlike Kris, who is still loveless to date (she has no intention of reconciling with Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid, she said), Alma admitted she has an inspiration in Gerald Madrid. Yes, the young actor who is 20 years her junior. Alma's 45, while Gerald's 25.
As for Joey, both Kris and Alma revealed that they know he is now in love with someone else. (MNS)
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