In an effort to dispel rumors that he and his spouse have marital problems, Yao Chia-wen (
Rumor has it that Yao, a senior presidential adviser, has had extramarital affairs.
The opposition, therefore, says that because of these allegations and for other reasons, he is not the person to head the Examination Yuan -- which is responsible for the testing, employment and management of all of the nation's civil service personnel.
In response to the gossip, his lawmaker wife, also a former Changhua County commissioner, simply said that their marriage is fine.
During the the hearings yesterday, Yao also expressed his appreciation to his wife, thanking her for her assistance on his nomination.
"Chou Ching-yu, I love you," Yao said.
"After I was released from the jail, many problems occurred between us," Yao said. "But we have become closer due to my bid to lead the Examination Yuan," added Yao, who was jailed during the White Terror period.
The White Terror era, from 1949 to 1987, was a period of harsh political repression under KMT rule. During this time, martial law was in force. Many people -- especially intellectuals and the cultural elite -- were persecuted.
Yao has walked a rocky road since he was officially nominated last month by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to head the Examination Yuan. Both the KMT and the PFP are strongly opposed to his nomination, saying that Yao, a long-time pro-Taiwan independence activist, is unsuitable for the post due to his harsh political ideology.
Moreover, the opposition charges that the nominee has had no administrative experience and had long advocated the abolishment of the Examination Yuan and the Control Yuan in an attempt to turn Taiwan into a "three-branch government."
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white