Maniolas

by M JEGATHESAN (LANGKAWI, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Republic of Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Malaysian Prime Minister The Honourable Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak for a snap shot during the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Grand Ballroom 2 of the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 28, 2015). (MNS Photo) Langkawi, Malaysia (AFP)  – Reclamation work in the disputed South China Sea, where China has constructed an airstrip and other structures on coral reefs, threaten to “undermine peace, security and stability” in the region, Southeast Asian leaders warned Monday. Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty over almost all the sea – also claimed in parts by several other Asian nations – has set off alarm bells with its neighbors and beyond as China stakes its claim with growing boldness. A statement to be issued at the close of the one-day summit in Malaysia notes “serious concerns” over land reclamation on reefs whose sovereignty is contested. The work has triggered fears of tightening Chinese control over the seaway. “We share the serious concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamation being undertaken in the South China Sea, which has eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability,” said the statement by summit chair Malaysia, seen by AFP, which did not mention China by name. Along with Taiwan, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery former Senator Panfilo Lacson after administering the oath in a ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 10). The “rehabilitation czar” is the man in charge to oversee the overall efforts being undertaken by the national government in reconstructing the areas destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region. (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 28 (Mabuhay) – Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Tuesday that if he were president he would send his friends or allies to jail if they were proven corrupt. Interviewed on cable news television, Lacson said he was “seriously considering” seeking the country’s top political post and that he would be running on a strong anti-corruption platform. “There should only be one standard. When you fight corruption, you don’t find who are your allies, your friends or enemies,” Lacson said. Told by the host that his anti-corruption stance sounded similar to that of President Joseph Estrada’s “Walang kamag-anak, walang kaibigan” slogan, Lacson said “It should be that way. But implementing it is a different matter.” Lacson cited an example from his days as PNP chief. He said he had a “kumpare,” a regional director in the PNP, his “long-time friend, and comrade in Cebu.” “Sinabi ko na no-take tayo sa jueteng. (I said we should not take money from illegal gambling) Nung makita sa blue book (ng jueteng protectors) ang pangalan niya, right away I called him ‘You have Read More …

By Ed Rame “The increasing interconnectivity of nations in today’s global economy underscores the need for robust partnerships between communities around the world.  Organizations like Sister Cities Internationalfoster such relationships, increasing mutual knowledge and understanding between cities and cultures.  These collaborations promote collaboration and trust among citizens and nations, create opportunities for technological and economic innovation and development, and lay the foundations for continued peace and prosperity.  I am proud to serve as your Honorary Chair.” – President Barack Obama http://www.sistercitiesofla.com/ The concept of the Sister Cities of Los Angeles is truly timeless.  Sister Cities International was created at President Eisenhower’s 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy.  Eisenhower envisioned an organization that could be the hub of peace and prosperity by creating bonds between people from different cities around the world.  By forming these relationships, President Eisenhower reasoned that people of different cultures could celebrate and appreciate their differences and build partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. In our times right now, there are enormous conflicts from all sectors of our existence.  Greater understanding among nations and The Sister Cities is a micro approach to reach out deeper to the different communities of the world.  There are a lot of miscommunication, intolerance, misunderstandings, religious differences and entire gamut of indifferences which are recipes for multi pronged disasters that would put the world at the edge of a deadly war outbreak. Makati our foremost city and  is in a great position to reach out to more of the world to share our culture Read More …

Once reported to have millions in back taxes, the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue now says that boxer-turned-congressman Manny Pacquiao is the top taxpayer after remitting $3.72 million in taxes. Reports said the amoung was about 64 percent higher than the second-highest taxpayer. Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who faces his biggest fight against unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather, already holds top spot as the number one taxpayer in the Philippines, government records showed Saturday. A list of top individual tax-payers for 2013, posted on the Bureau of Internal Revenue website, put the boxer-turned-congressman at number one with 163.84 million pesos ($3.72 million) in taxes paid. This was about 64 percent higher than the second-highest taxpayer. Internal revenue chief Kim Henares confirmed that Pacquiao topped the list but stressed that he still had a case pending over alleged non-payment of taxes earlier. Although hailed as a national hero for his boxing feats, Pacquiao has run afoul of tax officials before and is embroiled in a dispute with the revenue bureau saying he owed at least 2.2 billion pesos in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009. “It (the case) is still ongoing. No, he has not settled. Being a top tax-payer… does not mean he paid the correct taxes. The two (issues) are not synonymous,” Henares said in a statement to AFP. The boxer has previously insisted he paid the 2008 and 2009 taxes in the United States, so did not need to do so in the Philippines because the two countries have Read More …

Supporters rally outside the Indonesian Embassy in Makati City on Friday appealing for clemency for Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia. Veloso has been moved to an island prison and is awaiting final word on her execution from Indonesian authorities. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– The family of Mary Jane Veloso, the Pinay facing death by firing squad for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has received the order of execution, according to one of their lawyers. Atty. Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), said on Saturday that the order of execution was given to the family shortly before midnight. “Yung order of execution inacknowledge na ng pamilya–yung magulang at saka kapatid–pero hindi sila sumangayon sa nilalaman ng order na yun at lalo yung kanyang mga epekto,” Olalia said. Olalia said that the order did not contain a fixed date of execution. He explained that the mandated 72-hour advance notice has to be given to the family, the lawyers and the embassy. “Bagamat may order of execution, hindi pa po itinatakda ang petsa ng pagpapatupad nito, general order pa ho siya at kailangan pang mayrooong advance written notice tatlong araw bago ito tuluyang ipatupad kung ipapatupad,” he said. “At ang ating legal remedy buhay pa yan at maaari pang may pag-asang mapigilan,” he said. On Friday, the Philippine embassy in Indonesia filed the second judicial review after completing the necessary documents, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Olalia also disclosed that Veloso’s Read More …