Maniolas

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 6, 2016) Members of international media observe flight operations during a tour aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as part of Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX). PHIBLEX 33 is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious landing and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. The annual exercise could’ve seen its last holding in the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte wants to discontinue the event during the rest of his term. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeanette Mullinax/Released) MANILA  (PNA) – As the 33rd iteration of the Amphibious Philippine Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) formally ended Tuesday, a ranking Filipino military official said they can change their tactics and plans to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. “Taking off from our amphibious nature, we consistently change with the law of the situation to fullfill our duties. We stretch our scope of operations if need be, just like the current administration’s war on drugs. In ways possible, our initiatives may be reshifted to include narcotics operations while not undermining our internal security operations, territorial defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” PHIBLEX Philippine exercise director Brig. Gen. Maximo Ballesteros said. He also expressed confidence that PHIBLEX could become a platform for military operations that cater to peace 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, Oct 17 (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has proposed the creation of an eight-member board that would provide “credible and continuous” foreign policy advice to the President. Trillanes’ Senate Bill 1141 seeks to create a Foreign Policy Advisory Board (FPAB) under the Office of the President “to provide advice and recommendations on foreign policy formulations, and ensure a system of checks and balances” with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The FPAB shall provide a credible and continuous source of foreign policy advice, recommendation and/or insights for the President, as product of an independent data and intelligence gathering, the measure states. “This system would also ensure that foreign policy decisions and/or initiatives would be made by the President only after hearing and/or considering the perspectives, inputs and/or wise counsel not only of our career foreign service officers but also of other senior-level leaders and advisers,” Trillanes said. Trillanes’ proposal was filed amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance for the Philippines to pursue an independent foreign policy. DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. earlier said that shift in foreign policy was because “America has failed us.” The US has been a long-term ally of the Philippines. Duterte had also made controversial remarks against US President Barack Obama amid criticisms on his administration’s war against the Read More …

By Abner Galino Ernesto Paras Jr., a Filipino-American physical therapist, of Mississippi, rolls the giant wheel for the jackpot during his chance at “The Price is Right.” A 39-year-old Filipino from Mississippi turned into an instant celebrity after appearing in a popular TV game show “The Price is Right” and winning about $8,600 worth of giveaways from the show. Ernesto Paras Jr., a physical therapist, has been in the local newspapers, local TV and radio stations in Greenville, Mississippi. “I am enjoying all the attention, I know this is going to fade away soon,” Paras jested during the phone interview. But his delight, Paras said, isn’t all about the unexpected popularity but as well as to the chance to promote the Philippines. “Doon mismo sa show, dalawang beses kong binanggit ang Philippines. I am really proud talaga to let everyone know that a Filipino made it to the show,” Paras recalled. It was Paras fifth try to get into the game show. The episode that included Paras was taped on July 20, 2016 and was aired on October 4, 2016. Fortunately, Paras was chosen to be part of the nine persons who would compete on that day. “It wasn’t easy. Kasi even if you’re holding a priority ticket, it doesn’t mean na maglalaro ka na. You have to fight for a slot to play. You have impress the interviewer while lined up,” Paras recalled. According to him, after getting a slot to play, he had to keep his energy up Read More …

By Leilani S. Junio Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (center) makes the Duterte fist-gesture together with other DSWD Executive Committee (Execom) members to highlight their continuous vow to bring more efficient services after citing their accomplishments in their first 100 days in office on Tuesday (Oct. 11, 2016). Others in photos are (from left) DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli B. Bawagan, Asec. Hope V. Hervilla, Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, Usec. May Fe Ancheta, Usec. Florita R. Villar, and Asec. Jose Antonio Hernandez. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Bringing of prompt and compassionate services to the poor, fair treatment in addressing the concerns of its vulnerable clients and beneficiaries while echoing the government’s relentless anti-corruption campaign are the phrases that aptly described the accomplishments of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the first 1OO days under the Duterte administration. “By fair treatment, meaning if you have referrals or not and you are in need and qualified for our service, you’ll be given such service,” Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said in a press briefing held at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. She explained that their main thrust is listening to the sentiments of DSWD constituents such as poor and vulnerable sectors of society comprising of persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, women, children, youth, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), among others, suffering from crisis situations. Taguiwalo shared that marginalized clients seeking help from the DSWD’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation Read More …

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia speaks to the audience while Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno (center) and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia (right) listen during the “Coffee Meet and Greet with US business community” held at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex on last October 5. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Secretaries of Finance, Budget and Management, and Socioeconomic Planning discussed the Duterte Administration’s plan of action to reduce poverty and inequality during engagements with the business and Filipino-American communities on 05 October 2016. In a special edition of the Talakayan sa Pasuguan, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Ernesto Pernia expressed the need for innovative statistics that will accurately track how economic growth is distributed across geographic regions and income classes. “Poverty- and inequality-reducing economic growth requires a rebalancing of the economy,” said Secretary Pernia in reference to programs aimed at expanding development from the National Capital Region to rural areas in other parts of the country. “Our policies and our plans are certainly aimed at reducing the differentials between the growths in the regions,” added Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III delivers the Keynote Address entitled “Inclusive Growth under the Rule of Law,” in the forum Economic Outlook for the Philippines: A Discussion with the Philippine Economic Team, held at the International Finance Corporation in Washington DC on 6 October 2016. Secretary Dominguez noted how the concentration of investments and infrastructure in Metro Manila has resulted in two-thirds of gross domestic product being produced in Read More …