Balita online editor

Duterte: I just fired 2 Malacañang employees

Oct 142017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over the 19th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañan Palace on October 4, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte has fired two employees of Malacañang. But he did not elaborate on this in his speech at the Agrilink, Food Link, Aqualink 2017 at the World Trade Center on Thursday. “I promised you corruption. I will stop it. I will stop it. I just fired two… two employees from Malacañan for making a tool and suggesting that, you know, they were suggesting,” he said, before leaving for Brunei. “Yesterday… I said, talk—I fired Cabinet members at this early. Either you really stay clean, or you have to have clean… no corruption ako diyan,” he added. Duterte also said the same in his interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson in Brunei. He said in a video posted on Uson’s personal Facebook page that the two Malacañang employees were using their influence. “I even fired today, I sign, firing two people from Malacañang for using their influence. Empleyado diyan tapos kung anu-anong pinagsasabi sa labas, na malakas. I hate that,” he said. Malacañang has yet to respond to requests for clarification on the President’s revelation. In his speech at the World Trade Center, Duterte also urged the public to call the 8888 hotline for their complaints against government workers. He said he would give them protection. “As a matter of fact, you’re afraid to make an exposé? Go to Malacañang, there Read More …

Aga on reunion movie with Lea: ‘We owe it to the public’

Entertainment

Oct 142017

Aga on reunion movie with Lea: ‘We owe it to the public’

Aga Muhlach (MNS photo) It may not happen this year, but veteran actor Aga Muhlach assured his fans that his highly anticipated reunion movie with Lea Salonga will push through. Earlier this year, many were disappointed when Salonga announced that her third movie project with Muhlach won’t be hitting cinemas anytime soon. It follows the success of their first two movies, “Sana Maulit Muli” and “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal.” Speaking to bloggers on Thursday, Muhlach said he and Salonga “owe it to the public” to make one “last” film together. “Lea and I will make it happen, but we just don’t know when,” he said. Salonga is currently in New York for the revival of “Once On This Island” on Broadway. Muhlach said she will be back in the country next June. “Ilang years na naming pina-plano ‘yan, at hindi natutuloy. Pero, let’s see. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen,” he said. At the same bloggers’ conference, Muhlach was asked to name three leading ladies he’d like to work with soon. It was no surprise that Salonga tops his list. Meanwhile, after five years, Muhlach is making his movie comeback in Star Cinema’s “Seven Sundays,” which opens in cinemas on October 11. In the ensemble family drama, Muhlach plays the eldest son of Ronaldo Valdez. Playing his siblings are Dingdong Dantes, Cristine Reyes and Enrique Gil. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, “Seven Sundays” also stars Donita Rose, Ketchup Eusebio, and Kean Cipriano, among others. (MNS)

Heart confirms past romance with John Lloyd

Entertainment

Oct 142017

Heart confirms past romance with John Lloyd

Heart Evangelista (MNS photo) So it was true after all. Heart Evangelista didn’t shy away from talking about John Lloyd Cruz, confirming that she and the Kapamilya actor dated back when they were still teens. Evangelista, who is now married to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, came clean about their past fling when asked about Cruz. “It was just one of those. …I was in between—like, I just broke up with someone at that time and I was gonna meet somebody also. So, it was very brief,” she said. She didn’t spill any other details but it is believed that her short-lived romance with Cruz happened before Evangelista and Jericho Rosales started going out in 2005. In the same interview, Evangelista said she’s happy for Cruz, who now appears to be in a rumored relationship with Ellen Adarna. “He’s a really, really good guy,” she said. “I’m really happy for him. Actually, I think they’re bagay if they’re together.” (MNS)

Morissette agrees with Marlo: ‘Hindi pa namin panahon’ (with photo: 09morissette.jpg)

Entertainment

Oct 142017

Morissette agrees with Marlo: ‘Hindi pa namin panahon’ (with photo: 09morissette.jpg)

Morissette (MNS photo) While they talk about taking their friendship to the next level, there’s just far more important things at the moment. Morissette said that she has her career to take care of, while Marlo Mortel has his sick mother to prioritize. “And we respect that naman,” the singer acknowledged. Morissette and Mortel are very close, but both have maintained that they are just good friends. “Hindi naman po niya ako pinaasa kasi we’re very clear kung saan kami lulugar in each other’s lives,” Morissette said. “And because we’re close friends, we’re very open. We even talk about iyong mga relationships, mga past namin. “And iyon, hindi pa talaga siguro panahon for us. Pero we remain good friends, we still hang out when we have time, and we help each other out,” she added. Morissette is one of the guest performers at Mortel’s upcoming concert. Proceeds will go straight to paying for the medical fees of Mortel’s mother, who is battling breast cancer. Titled “Songs for Mama,” it will be held on October 13 at Centris, Quezon City and will also feature special guests Jed Madela, Janella Salvador, Maymay Entrata, Kisses Delavin, and Michael Pangilinan. (MNS)

Pinapaasa mo lang ba si Morissette? Marlo Mortel asked

Entertainment

Oct 142017

Pinapaasa mo lang ba si Morissette? Marlo Mortel asked

Marlo Mortel (MNS photo) They’ve been romantically linked with each other for a while now. So you can’t really fault fans for thinking that the reason why they’re not a couple yet is because someone’s just leading the other person on. But that’s not the case with him and Morissette, explained Marlo Mortel. “Hindi lang talaga perfect [iyong] timing,” he said, adding that his priority at the moment is his mother’s battle with Stage 4 breast cancer. “Never kong pinaasa si Morissette.” “Sa ngayon, since ang dami kasing nangyayari doon sa family, parang hindi ko pa kaya—hindi naman sa hindi [ko kayang] mag-effort, pero focus talaga muna talaga sa family,” he added. Rumors between the two began when Mortel asked Morissette to be his date for last year’s Star Magic Ball. Mortel was on the late-night talk show to promote an upcoming benefit concert he organized with the help of some friends. All proceeds from the gig will go straight to paying for his mother’s medical fees. Titled “Songs for Mama,” it will be held on October 13 at Centris, Quezon City and will feature performances from him and special guests Jed Madela, Janella Salvador, Maymay Entrata, Kisses Delavin, Michael Pangilinan and Morisette. (MNS)

John Lloyd Cruz takes indefinite leave of absence

Entertainment

Oct 142017

John Lloyd Cruz takes indefinite leave of absence

John Lloyd Cruz (MNS photo) ABS-CBN and John Lloyd Cruz have agreed on the actor taking an indefinite leave of absence from showbiz to attend to “personal matters,” ABS-CBN announced on Friday. ABS-CBN added that the “Home Sweetie Home” star will resume work once he returns from his break. “John Lloyd will be taking a break outside the country and will return to ABS-CBN after his leave of absence,” the company said in a press statement. This means Cruz will miss the Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan on October 15 in Barcelona, Spain, among his other commitments. He was billed as one of the main draws of the event along with Bea Alonzo, Enchong Dee, and Piolo Pascual. Cruz was last spotted in public at the private birthday party of his close friend, Maja Salvador, held Thursday. He also attended the 2017 Star Magic Ball but opted to skip the red carpet. (MNS)

Lacson sees signs of ‘cover-up’ in Atio Castillo’s hazing case

Entertainment

Oct 072017

Lacson sees signs of ‘cover-up’ in Atio Castillo’s hazing case

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Dick Gordon, conducts a hearing on the P6.4 Billion worth of shabu shipment from China, on the possible malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance of the Bureau of Customs officials and employees.(MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 28 (Mabuhay) — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said there is an “evident” attempt to conceal certain details in the death of hazing victim Horacio Castillo III. “Very evident ang cover-up. Malinaw yan. Kasi pagka frat may omerta yan, code of silence. Yan ang nagti-trigger ng cover-up,” Lacson told reporters. The 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student died of a massive heart attack after sustaining injuries allegedly during the initiation rites of the Aegis Juris Fraternity. Atio’s body was brought to the Chinese General Hospital (CGH) on September 18 with bruises and candle wax drippings. The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed after an autopsy that Castillo had undergone hazing. It was later learned that John Paul Solano, the medical technologist who claimed to have found him and brought him to the hospital, was a member of the fraternity. He also admitted to issuing a false story that he found Castillo’s body by chance and brought it to CGH along Blumentritt Road upon orders from his frat brothers. The hazing supposedly took place at the Aegis Juris fraternity foundation office located on Laon-Laan-Navarra Street, which is less than a kilometer away from the UST campus that had its own hospital. “The mere fact napakaaga ang nangyari, tapos 9 Read More …

Hazing rites that killed Atio Castillo took place at Aegis Juris frat office

Entertainment

Oct 072017

Hazing rites that killed Atio Castillo took place at Aegis Juris frat office

John Paul Solano, one of the primary suspects in the death of University of Sto. Tomas law student hazing victim Horacio Castillo III takes his oath during the Senate inquiry on Castillo’s death, Monday. Some senators are now pushing for a total ban on hazing.(MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 26 (Mabuhay) — Freshman law student Horacio Castillo III underwent hazing rites that cost his life at the office of the fraternity that recruited him, according to the Manila Police District (MPD). Excerpts of the complaint filed by the MPD before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday against 18 individuals indicated that the initiation rites were held at the Aegis Juris Foundation Office on Laon-Laan and Navarra Streets near the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The complaint said the rites occurred between 12 midnight and 8 a.m. of September 17. Witnesses said they heard some “unusual noise” from people apparently having a drinking session inside the Aegis headquarters. Hours later, CCTV footage installed beside the Aegis Juris office showed that “a member was noticed hurriedly running towards the direction of the Aegis Juris office while another, [who] was observed busy using his cellular phone, appeared to be worried.” The police said that based on CCTV footage, John Paul Solano was part of the convoy that brought Castillo from the Aegis Juris Foundation office to the Chinese General Hospital. Solano earlier claimed he brought Castillo to the hospital after he saw the latter’s body on a sidewalk in Balut, Tondo. “John Paul Read More …

Rumored couple Diego, Sofia deny breakup talks

Entertainment

Oct 072017

They may have yet to confirm that they’re dating, but “Pusong Ligaw” stars Diego Loyzaga and Sofia Andres are already being made to address some breakup talk. The two laughed off the latest tabloid news claiming that they’re not in good terms with one another. “Mga rumors lang naman iyon. Actually hanggang ngayon natatawa pa rin kami sa mga naririnig namin,” Loyzaga said. He added: “Paano malalaman ng ibang tao iyong mayroon sa aming dalawa eh kami lang naman ang magkakasama?” Loyzaga also denied going out on a date with another woman. “Hindi ako lumalabas kasi M-W-F ay nasa taping ako, same with Sofia. We’re taping and shooting the same movie so para mangyari iyon . . . so impossible.” he said. Loyzaga and Andres have long been rumored to be a couple, but both have maintained that they are just good friends. They will be walking the red carpet together at this year’s Star Magic Ball, Loyzaga confirmed. (MNS)

Palace: No ASEAN holiday declaration yet

Entertainment

Oct 072017

MANILA, Sept 28 (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday clarified that it has not declared holidays in November coinciding with the Philippines’ hosting of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella made this clarification in light of a supposed Malacañang document circulating online saying that the government has declared November 13 to 15 as “special non-working holidays.” “It’s not official but I’m sure a statement will be forthcoming,” Abella said in a news conference in Malacañang. The Philippines chairs the ASEAN this year and has been a host to various activities and meetings. The 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings are scheduled to take place from November 10 to 14 in Clark, Pampanga and is expected to gather top officials from the bloc and its partner countries. (MNS)

Older Entries Newer Entries