Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the Amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A Liberal Party (LP) stalwart said on Tuesday that President Benigno Aquino III will officially announce the candidacy of the Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II before the week ends. This was revealed by LP chairman for political affairs and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice a day after Aquino’s sixth and last State of the Nation Address (Sona) where the president said that Roxas epitomized the saying “you can’t put a good man down.” “Palagay ko hindi matatapos ang week na ito ay maiindorso po officially si Secretary Mar Roxas ng ating Pangulo,” Erice said. (I think that the President will officially endorse (Interior) Secretary Mar Roxas before this week ends.) “Wala namang duda na iisang puso’t diwa at direksyon ng pangulo at ng partido na wala nang ibang kwalipikado na ituloy ang mga nagawa ng administrasyong ito ay walang iba kung hindi ang kanyang co-pilot na si Secretary Mar Roxas,” Erice added. (The President and the party are one in heart and mind that the President’s co-pilot, Secretary Mar Roxas, is the only one qualified to continue the initiatives of the administration.) The lawmaker said that the administration party believes that Roxas has the “integrity, competence, and experience” to continue the gains of the Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay walks among his supporters at the Makati City hall on Monday. People gathered at the city hall grounds to show their support for the older Binay and his son, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, who was earlier served another suspension by the Ombudsman. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice President Jejomar Binay is not affected by the potshots supposedly aimed at him by President Benigno Aquino III during the latter’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA). In an interview at the opening of the Security Congress APAC 2015 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Binay told reporters to wait for his own True State of the Nation Address that will answer Aquino’s statements. He also said he did not feel alluded to when the President alluded to someone who said “gaganda ang buhay” if he becomes president. “Merong isang bahagi doon palagay ko hindi naman ako pinatutungkulan ‘nun. Kasi ang pagkakasabi meron diyan nagsasalita na giginhawa ang bayan pero ang salita lage ay basta, basta. Wow na wow naman ‘yun!” Binay said. Atty. Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesperson for political affairs, also said the vice-president did not feel that he was alluded to by the president when the latter cited a presidential aspirant who has so far failed to present concrete plans for the country. ”The Vice President does not feel alluded to because he has solidly delivered the social and economic programs that uplifted the lives of the people he has served as Makati mayor Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III, delivers his State of the Nation Address for the 6th and last time before the Joint Session of Congress on Monday, July 27. He stressed that the seeds of reform have been planted for the people and future leaders to water to full fruition. His two-hour annual report to the nation stressed the various programs of government that center on the principle of “Matuwid na Daan” by way of good governance. Attentively listening to the President are Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr, along with other lawmakers, guests and other dignitaries. Photo: Gilbert Engay, Media Relations Service-PRIB MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday vowed to fund the full implementation of his flagship education reform effort, the K-to-12 program, next year. In his final State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino said the proposed 2016 budget already has funds for 103.2 million additional textbooks and 4.4 million more armchairs for public schools in the country. The President also used his valedictory address before Congress members to once again promote the K-to-12 program, which is still facing legal questions before the Supreme Court. “Nagpatupad po tayo ng K-to-12 dahil hindi praktikal ang pagsisiksik ng kaalaman sa 10-year basic education cycle,” Aquino said. President Aquino also trumpeted his administration’s achievements in the education sector. The President said that his administration was able to reduce the number of out-of-school youth from 2.9 million in 2008 to 1.2 million in 2013. He also Read More …

Paulo Avelino (MNS photo) Actor Paulo Avelino finally broke his silence on rumors linking him to actress Bea Alonzo, his co-star in the 2014 soap “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon.” The actor denied that he is courting Alonzo, amid reports that her relationship with actor Zanjoe Marudo is on the rocks. “Me and Bea we are friends. That’s it,” Avelino told members of entertainment media at the thanksgiving party of the soap “Bridges of Love,” which is now down to its last three weeks. Bea Alonzo (MNS Photo) Rumors linking him to Alonzo started after they were spotted together. “Nagkataon lang na nagkita sa labas, may kasamang iba, tapos ‘yun,” Avelino said. “Si Bea kasi sobrang bihirang lumabas. Kapag lumabas siya parang kailangan mo din lumabas kasi mabibilang mo sa daliri mo kung ilang beses siyang lalabas sa isang taon or bihirang magyaya,” Avelino added. The actor stressed that he and Alonzo went out with their friends, including actress Shaina Magdayao. Earlier this month, Alonzo admitted she and Marudo are going through some challenges but are working on it. However, the two appeared together at the recent Kapamilya Barrio Fiesta event in London. Pictures and videos of the celebrity couple where they can be seen affectionate towards each other have been posted online. Alonzo and Marudo have been in a relationship for four years now. (MNS)

Inside Honda’s new Silicon Valley R&D Center: The new facility will work alongside tech companies in the area.©Honda (Relaxnews) – To mark the official opening of a new facility aimed at harnessing the latest technological breakthroughs for automotive use, Honda took the wraps off its new Accord and offered a preview of some of the high-tech functions and features that could be standard fare in mass-market cars Honda, like a number of leading car companies from Mercedes-Benz to Nissan, already has a presence in Silicon Valley, but the new R&D facility will see things move into high gear. “As an industry, we are on the verge of some major transformational changes brought on by the convergence of what have been, to this point, largely disparate technology disciplines,” said Honda R&D Americas President, Frank Paluch. “Honda will embrace and help lead this convergence. Our operations in Silicon Valley are a testimony to our focus on this new direction in our product and technology development efforts.” Honda used the occasion to showcase the 2016 model year Accord, a car the company claims is the most technologically advanced Accord in history. As well as looking sharper, sportier and boasting a number of features such as front and rear parking sensors as standard kit, it is the first mass-market car to hit the road with support for both Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay smartphone connectivity and infotainment systems. “Where else to introduce the most technologically advanced midsize sedan, the 2016 Accord, than in Read More …