Balita online editor

Ombudsman raps ex-Iloilo town mayor for nepotism

Jun 242017

Ombudsman Of The Philippines (Wikipedia) MANILA, June 22 – The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has ordered the filing before the Sandiganbayan of a case for nepotism against former San Dionisio, Iloilo Mayor Peter Paul King Lopez for appointing his son, Carlos Paul Lopez, as Acting Licensing Officer of the municipality in 2015. Records show that Carlos Lopez was first appointed as Executive Assistant, a co-terminus position. On Jan. 5, 2015, Lopez issued an executive order designating Carlos as Acting Licensing Officer, a career position in the Civil Service. In a resolution, the Ombudsman said that “there is no dispute that respondent and Carlos are related to each other and the respondent designated Carlos to the position of Acting Licensing Officer of the municipality. Thus, it clearly constitutes the offense charged.” It added that “while Carlos was only designated as Acting Licensing Officer, the rule on Nepotism admits of no distinction between appointment and designation.” According to Section 79 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the “Local Government Code”, no person shall be appointed in the career service of the local government if he is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the appointing or recommending authority. Meanwhile, under Section 49 of Presidential Decree 807, or the “Civil Service Decree of the Philippines”, all appointments in the government made in favor of a relative of the appointing authority are prohibited and it will be punished by a fine not exceeding PHP1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding Read More …

One California resort/casino nominated for Best U.S. Casino against internationally known properties; Defends 2015 Title

Entertainment

Jun 242017

One California resort/casino nominated for Best U.S. Casino against internationally known properties; Defends 2015 Title

Ms. Edith Atwood – President of Pechanga Development Corporation (PDC), giving speech at the ”Topping Out” Press Conference. TEMECULA, Calif. – Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif., the largest resort/casino in Calif., was the only Calif. casino nominated to the list of the 10 best casinos in the country, representing Calif. as a whole. By Monday, July 17, four thousand Pechanga team members hope they will continue working for the #1 casino in the nation. Defending its title, Pechanga was voted the Best U.S. Casino in the 2015 USA Today 10Best poll. Since then, Pechanga has broken ground on a $285 million expansion set to be completed by the end of 2017, making the property the largest on the west coast and a massive employer in southern California, hiring nearly one thousand additional team members. Through initial voting, Pechanga’s rank is No. 2. The tribal-owned casino is running against internationally known, five-star properties across the U.S. Pechanga is currently joined on the list of 20 resort/casinos by properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and the south. Those interested can vote for Pechanga Resort & Casino by clicking HERE. Casino properties were chosen for the poll by Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic, Editorial Director for Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazine, and by Tony Harrell, a certified destination expert for Las Vegas, New Orleans and Canada.

23 refugees die from illnesses in Marawi

Entertainment

Jun 242017

23 refugees die from illnesses in Marawi

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte comforts one of the evacuees from Marawi City during his visit Tuesday (June 20, 2017) at the Iligan City National School of Fisheries where 229 displaced families have taken shelter. (MNS photo) LEGAZPI CITY, June 15 – Some 23 refugees from strife-torn Marawi City have died due to various illnesses, of whom 19 died inside designated evacuation camps while the remaining 4 died outside the camps, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said here on Thursday. She emphasized that the victims died not because they were hit by bullets and bombs during the crisis but because of sickness. “The four evacuees staying outside the evacuation centers died of dehydration,” said Ubial who arrived in this city today for the 7th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dengue Day celebration. She said during the press conference at Daguinsin Hall at the Department of Health-Bicol (DOH-5) office in this city that the 19 death cases at the evacuation centers were of people who were already suffering from illnesses when they were brought to the various camps. Ubial said some of the evacuees suffering from kidney disease are undergoing dialysis while the others who had died of cancer and heart ailments were able to undergo treatment at a government hospital. Ubial said DOH set up 68 evacuation centers for the 20,627 persons or 4,249 families who fled Marawi City. She said the centers were established in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, particularly in Cagayan De Oro City, and Read More …

Marawi unlikely to become IS fighters’ new hub – Palace

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Marawi unlikely to become IS fighters’ new hub – Palace

City Of Marawi MANILA, June 20 – Malacañang on Tuesday said Marawi City is unlikely to turn into a new hub for extremist fighters from Southeast Asia as it downplayed concerns raised by several American lawmakers due to presence of foreign militants in the area. At a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had been able to thwart the ISIS-inspired Maute group from taking over the whole of Marawi and making it as base for Islamic State operations. “At this stage, we’ll have to take the position that it’s unlikely for Marawi to become a new hub for IS fighters. The Philippine military has already preempted the Maute group from establishing a wilayat or a province in Marawi,” Abella said. The Palace official issued the statement after some US lawmakers expressed their belief that the US should take a bigger role in the Marawi operations to prevent the spread of the extremist group’s reach in the region. At present, the role of the US in the month-old crisis is limited to providing aerial surveillance and Malacañang wants it to stay that way. “The role of the US is to provide technical assistance as prescribed by the Constitution and we will abide by that. Let’s go by what is already present, technical assistance,” Abella said. He also downplayed suggestions that Philippine-US cooperation against extremist forces in Marawi was indicative of an improving relationship. “It’s always existing like that. Gen. Padilla has expressed that Read More …

Duterte visits Marawi evacuees in Iligan City

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Duterte visits Marawi evacuees in Iligan City

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte interacts with evacuees from Marawi City during his visit Tuesday (June 20, 2017) at the Iligan City National School of Fisheries where 229 displaced families have taken shelter. (MNS photo) ILIGAN CITY, June 21 – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited Iligan City on Tuesday, June 20, to personally check the condition of evacuees currently being housed at the Iligan City National School of Fisheries in Barangay Buru-un here. In his speech, Duterte vowed to give assistance to families affected by the Marawi siege from their immediate needs up to rehabilitation and recovery phase. “Most important thing is that matulungan ko kayo. Huwag kayong mag-alala, tutulungan ko kayo, hindi ko kayo pababayaan, hanggang relocation,” Duterte said. Duterte said the government will rehabilitate Marawi and will make it beautiful and livable again. “But this I will promise you, I will set aside initially PHP20 billion para maumpisahan, ‘yung mga mahirap ang unahin ko,” he said. The President also apologized to the Maranao people who have been affected by the attack of the Maute terror group. “I would like to say to the Maranao people that I am very, very, very sorry na nangyari ito sa atin,” he said. “Sana sa madaling panahon, you will find a new heart to forgive my soldiers, ang gobyerno, pati ako for declaring martial law. Wala akong choice eh sinisira na ang Marawi. I have to drive them out. But I am very sorry,” he added. He provided financial assistance to the evacuees. Read More …

Buboy Villar, girlfriend expecting a baby girl

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Buboy Villar, girlfriend expecting a baby girl

Buboy Villar and Angillyn Serrano Gorens (MNS photo) Young actor Buboy Villar is now set to become a father. The 19-year-old actor, best known for his portrayal of a young Manny Pacquiao in the acclaimed film “Kid Kulafu,” announced the good news through an Instagram post on Monday showing the sonogram of his would-be first born with American girlfriend Angillyn Serrano Gorens. In the caption, Villar wrote: “Thank God sa blessing na eto. Anak ikaw ang the best best best best na nangyari sa buhay namin iloveyou Angelica Nazareth.” Gorens, for her part, shared a photo of Villar kissing her baby bump. “Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for being there for me and especially for our baby. We love you so much,” she said. Villar and Gorens have been a couple since February 2016. In an interview last year, the actor said he already plans to marry his girlfriend. (MNS)

Duterte won’t allow civil war under his watch

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Duterte won’t allow civil war under his watch

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte stresses that those who sow terror will receive a harsh response during his speech upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Wednesday (May 24, 2017). A day earlier, President Duterte declared Martial law in Mindanao and had to cut short his official visit to the Russian Federation to oversee the terror crisis which erupted in Marawi City. He also thanked Russia President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government for giving the Philippine delegation a warm welcome in Moscow. (MNS photo) MANILA, June 21 (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, June 20, said his administration will not allow a civil war to break out among Filipinos suffering the brunt of war. “Ang malakas na driving force nila mapalitan na itong nationalism o ‘yung paghinakit nila nawalaan sila ng lupa at malipat doon sa ISIS na philosophy, gulo na ‘yan,” the Chief Executive told soldiers during his visit at Camp BGen. Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital, 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City. “Gulo na ‘yan kasi ang mga Kristiyano sa Mindanao, mag-a-armas rin. Iyan ang ating hindi na pwedeng payagan kasi ‘pag ang mag-armas na ang civilian rin, it will be a civil war,” the President noted. The Chief Executive visited wounded-in-action soldiers and awarded them Wounded Personnel Medals. They also received cash aid, among other assistance. “So ang trabaho natin dalawa na: How to hold itong mga Kristiyanos na may armas at ito namang IS sa Maute. Kaya ang Read More …

Liza open to wear sexy costume for Darna role

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Liza open to wear sexy costume for Darna role

Liza Soberano (MNS photo) Liza Soberano won’t back down even if she would be required to wear a sexy superhero outfit as Darna in its upcoming film adaptation. Soberano’s only condition is for the management to give her ample time to prepare herself to show some skin. “Whatever is approved by the management, ‘yun po ang isusuot ko. But if I were to choose, anything naman actually as long as I am prepared for it,” she said. Asked if she’s willing to don a two-piece, the 19-year-old actress said: “Okay lang po basta prepared po ako. Hindi ‘yung bibiglain ako na ‘O suotin mo ito.’” In a separate interview, Rex Ravelo, the son of the late Darna creator Mars Ravelo, said people should expect Soberano to be slightly covered up as she flies as the Filipino superhero. “More covered compared to the ones before. Mas sexy ngayon ‘yung medyo tago eh,” said Ravelo. Darna’s outfit has evolved through the years, with trends dictating her overall look. The superhero wore boy shorts in the ‘50s and ‘60s, high cuts in the ‘70s and ‘80s, tanga bottoms in the ‘90s, and hipster bottoms since the 2000s. Despite the minor changes, three elements are always found in Darna’s costume: the winged headpiece, which symbolizes Ravelo’s dream of becoming a pilot; the two stars on the bra top to depict the Philippine flag; and the bahag (loincloth), which shows her conservative side. Meanwhile, Soberano is still clueless on who her co-stars will be in Read More …

Lee Torres, First-Ever General Manager Promoted from within Pechanga Resort & Casino

Entertainment

Jun 242017

New General Manager Mr. Lee Torres The Pechanga Development Corporation’s Board of Directors has named the first-ever general manager to be promoted from within Pechanga Resort & Casino, voted the #1 casino in the country by the readers of USA Today. Mr. Lee Torres, with nearly 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, has been an integral part of our leadership team, serving Pechanga as Chief Marketing Officer since 2011. As of March 2017, Mr. Torres will now oversee the entire property’s overall performance across 11 divisions and departments as the new general manager, taking Pechanga and its new brand image to the next level. “I’m honored to be the first general manager selected from within of such a premier property, rivaling even the most prestigious of casino-resort properties in Las Vegas, by the Pechanga Development Corporation’s Board of Directors,” said Mr. Lee Torres, general manager at Pechanga Resort & Casino. “They’re trusting me with not only the responsibility of overseeing all 11 divisions and essentially all four thousand team members on property, but also with leading the charge on Pechanga’s $285 million expansion. This is a very exciting time for Pechanga and I’m deeply humbled to be a part of the journey.” “Play on Another Level” – Transformation to the Deluxe New Asian Brand Pechanga Resort & Casino, advancing with the rapidly changing trend and development, launched a new Asian brand identity early this year that anticipates the $285 Million resort expansion scheduled to be completed at the Read More …

Joross Gamboa welcomes second child

Entertainment

Jun 242017

Joross Gamboa (MNS photo) Father’s Day may already be over but Joross Gamboa will probably have an extended celebration. On Instagram, Gamboa announced that he just received his best Father’s Day gift after his wife Kathy Kimberly Saga gave birth to their second child. The actor’s wife delivered a healthy baby boy through a Cesarean operation at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City. They named their second son John Kody. Gamboa and Saga first became parents to Jace Kyler in October 2015. In a previous interview, Gamboa said being a husband and a father changed his perspective in life. “Siyempre [seryoso na ako ngayon]. Kailangan para sa future. Kapag may partner ka na, kailangang mas seryoso. And siyempre, para na rin sa anak niyo, sa pamilya niyo, ‘di ba?” he said. Gamboa and Saga tied the knot in November 2014. (MNS)

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