Maniolas

WASHINGTON, DC — In a meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. on  01 September, Dr. Susan K. Brems—the incoming Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia—reaffirmed the strong development partnership between the Philippine Government  and USAID. Dr. Brems is a career member of the Senior US Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, who brings to Manila twenty-three (23) years of experience as a development diplomat for USAID. She previously served as Mission Director in Zambia (2011-2015), Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Global Health (2009-2011), and Mission Director for Angola (2007-2009). During the meeting, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. expressed appreciation for the technical and financial support that the United States, through the USAID, provides to the Philippines. He also briefed Dr. Brems on the recent economic developments, including the good governance efforts under the Aquino administration, particularly with respect to transparency and public accountability. “It was a great opportunity to discuss with Dr. Brems our government’s commitment to improving the lives of average Filipinos, as well as the social development objectives under the President’s leadership. We also exchanged views on the conditional cash transfer program of the government,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Ambassador Cuisia also encouraged USAID’s continued support in the following areas: judicial reforms, rule of law, innovation and technology, economic development, educational cooperation, and public health. Dr. Brems expressed her commitment to continuing the strong program and cooperation activities of USAID in the Philippines.

President Aquino raises the hand of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas to the shower of confetti after Aquino endorsed Roxas for the presidential race at the Club Filipino in Greenhills on Friday. Aquino cited Roxas’ record and pointed to him as the best bet to continue the “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has topped a Liberal Party (LP)-commissioned survey on the voter’s preference for president in 2016. Speaking to reporters, LP stalwart and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice disclosed that the LP did a one-to-one survey between Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Erice said the survey was conducted only between Roxas and Binay because they were, so far, the only candidates who have declared their presidential ambitions. He said Roxas got 53 percent while Binay had 37 percent. Ten percent remained undecided. The survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents nationwide right after Aquino endorsed Roxas. He said the question was, “If the elections were held today, who will you vote for President?” Erice, however, did not disclose the polling firm the LP commissioned, adding that it was commissioned “to come up with a campaign strategy.” He said that ratings of Roxas surely went up after Aquino anointed him to be his successor. “Lumalabas ngayon na mayroong significant influence yung endorsement ni Pangulong Aquino (It shows that President Aquino’s endorsement has a significant influence [on Roxas’ ratings]),” he said. Asked whether they have already decided on Roxas’ tandem, he said they are Read More …

Disgruntled Iglesia Ni Cristo members block the decoy vehicle of Secretary Leila de Lima at the Department of Justice on Thursday. Members of Iglesia ni Cristo accused De Lima of interfering with INC affairs, including an ongoing investigation on the illegal detention case filed against its leaders. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Tuesday said rumors of an impending arrest of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo may have ignited the 5-day protest actions of members of the indigenous Christian group. Roxas said the meeting between government officials and the INC leadership sought to clarify issues that triggered the protests. ”Ang nangyari nagkaroon ng paliwanagan at nilinaw ng pamahalan na hindi pinupuntirya ang Iglesia Ni Cristo. Hindi special treatment for or against; na dumadaan lang ito sa proseso,” Roxas said. Roxas said one of the possible reasons that sparked the outcry among INC faithful was the rumor that Manalo would be arrested over an illegal detention case filed by expelled minister Isaias Samson Jr. ”May kumakalat kasi na aarestuhin ang pangkalahatang tagapangasiwang Ka Eduardo Manalo. Wala pong ganon. Ipinaliwanag na walang ganoon,” he said. Roxas also denied that the government and the INC leadership struck a ”deal”, which was questioned by Samson’s counsels who fear of a whitewash in the case. ”The fear now is that given the so-called agreement, a finding of ‘no probable cause’ to make this nightmare go away for the INC’s Sanggunian is a very real possibility. And your silence Read More …

Bobby Rimas, UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Director, with Joshua Manansala (left), the 2015 UCLA Pilipino Alumni/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Award Certificate at the UCLA PAA Send-Off event that took place at Heritage Park in Cerritos, California. Several UCLA Pilipino Alumni (PAA) Board Members presented Joshua Manansala last Aug.22 with the 2015 UCLA Pilipino Alumni/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Award Certificate at the UCLA PAA Send-Off event that took place at Heritage Park in Cerritos, California. Mr. Manansala will receive a $4,000 scholarship for his outstanding academic, leadership, and community service achievements. A recent graduate of Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, California, Mr. Manansala realized that for him, education was more than just taking hard classes and earning good grades – he wanted to use his education to serve his community. As a freshman, he got involved in Student Council and as a senior, he served as the Student Body President of Capital Christian High School.  As soon as he was elected, he knew that he wanted to create an inclusive and giving environment on campus that would allow all students to excel academically and socially.  To do this, he would need to lead in the most effective manner. The best way to lead is by example, and in his opinion, the best example is to be a servant. Throughout Mr. Manansala’s high school years, he cofounded a nonprofit organization called Keys4Hope.  Keys4Hope has a dual fold purpose.  First, to teach children how to successfully play instruments, and second, to donate 100% of the money raised from its music Read More …

The Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee, chaired by Sen. Koko Pimentel, resumes its inquiry on the alleged overpricing of the 11-storey new Makati City II Parking Building, the 22-storey Makati City Hall Building and related anomalies. (MNS photo) MANILA, Aug 20 (Mabuhay) – Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on  Thursday called for a nationwide manhunt against Gerry Limlingan, an aide of Vice President Jejomar Binay who has been missing since the Senate started its hearings on alleged corruption involving the Binays last year. “Itutuloy natin ang paghahanap para kay Limlingan at gawin na lang natin itong isang national manhunt,” Pimentel said at the start of the hearing as he justified the need to continue the hearings being conducted for a year now. “Tayo ay nananawagan sa NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), PNP (Philippine National POlice), at sa taumbayan na tulungan ang Senate Sergeant at Arm para po rito sa paghahanap kay Limlingan,” he added. He said the subcommittee is interested to hear the explanation Limlingan as to why he is everywhere the Vice President is. “Where in the world is Gerry. Limlingan? According to the Bureau of Immigration, there has been no record of his departure from the country. If he is in the country, why is he hiding rather than defending himself and family’s name? Or is he held against his will and thus unable to come forward?” Pimentel asked. “We have to find Mr. Gerry Limlingan and hear his testimony before we can even think of terminating our hearing,” he added. Read More …