Maniolas

President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach during a courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday July 18, 2016. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Wednesday gave a glimpse of what it considers as achievements of President Rodrigo Duterte in his first 50 days in office. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters THAT Duterte’s top achievements would be the mass surrender of drug users and pushers and the decline in crime rate last month as a result of the government’s intensified campaign against criminality and illegal drugs. Andanar also mentioned the suspension of mining firms that allegedly did not comply with environmental safety standards, the historic release of the first executive order on freedom of information, launching of the one-stop service center for overseas Filipino workers, reopening of the Malacañang of the South in Davao City and fight against contractualization. Also on the list is the country’s third hosting of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant slated for next year, the increase in the allowances of Filipinos competing in the Olympic Games, appoinment of leftist individuals to Cabinet positions, hotlines for emergencies and citizens’ complaints, planned administrative order on task force that will address media killings, name-and-shame campaign against suspected drug lords and their protectors, and the $2.4 billion infrastructure grant from Japan for the construction of a 38-kilometer railway from Manila to Bulacan. In a statement, Andanar said this will be the first time that an incumbent President will Read More …

Philippine National Police chief Director General Roland Dela Rosa speaks to politicians and police officers named by President Rodrigo Duterte as allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. Some personalities on Duterte’s list “voluntarily surrendered” at Camp Crame on Monday.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Wednesday said at least two  to three police regional directors might be sacked if they will not step up their efforts against illegal drugs. “Mga dalawa or tatlo na medyo kailangan pa talagang magsumikap,” Dela Rosa said in an interview after the launch of the PNP’s health and fitness program at Camp Crame  in Quezon City. Dela Rosa said he found the efforts of the Police Region Office 5 and 6 lacking. “Kasama na diyan yung Region 6 … meron tayong information na ongoing pa yung drug trade doon, yung mga drug lord doon eh namamayagpag pa rin. Medyo kulang pa but the regional director promised me that he will step up his campaign,” he said. “Yung Region 5, tahimik,” he added. Dela Rosa said the National Capital Region is barely passing but he knows the efforts the officers are exerting. “Metro Manila so far so good sila, but still they have to step up,” he said. Dela Rosa said if he will take into consideration his own standards, the regional directors are doing well but they may fall short as they need to eradicate illegal drug operations in six months. “So far okay kung babatayan Read More …

2016 Nissan Versa Note: The 2016 Versa Note is offered in a range of five well-equipped models: S, S Plus, SV, SR and SL. Each is powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. Versa Note S features a 5-speed manual transmission. The S Plus, SV, SR and SL models are equipped with a next-generation Nissan Xtronic transmission, helping them achieve 40 miles per gallon highway fuel economy. NASHVILLE, Tenn  – For the second consecutive year, the Nissan Versa Note has been named by the editors at Kelley Blue Book to the annual KBB.com “10 Best Back-to-School Cars” list. Once again the vehicles selected for a “Back-to-School” recommendation had to be available for under $20,000 and meet the editors’ criteria of being safe and stylish. The 2016 Versa Note has a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price* (M.S.R.P.) of $14,230 USD. KBB.com, utilizing its Fair Purchase Price (FPP) data, ranked Versa Note the second lowest priced vehicle on the 2016 list. “We are honored to be recognized by the editors of Kelley Blue Book for the second school year in a row,” said Dan Mohnke, vice president, Nissan Chief Marketing Manager & Marketing Operations. “Versa Note offers a great combination of available safety and security features, combined with an affordable price. It also has the sporty style and roomy, versatile interior that is perfect for the demands of campus life.” The 2016 Versa Note is offered in a range of five well-equipped models: S, S Plus, SV, SR and SL. Each is Read More …

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno (left) gestures to stress a point in his response to a question during a press conference on the proposed 2017 National Budget of PHP3.35-trillion which he submitted to the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday (Aug. 15, 2016). Also in photo is House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday submitted to the House of Representatives its proposed national budget of P3.35 trillion for 2017. The proposed budget – the first under the Duterte administration – is higher by 11.6 percent than the 2016 budget of P3.002 trillion. The Department of Education (DepEd) will receive the biggest slice of the budget pie among the government departments, with P570.4 billion, a 31-percent hike compared to the operating budget. To support the Duterte administration’s drive against crime, illegal drugs, and terrorism, the budgets for both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were increased substantially. The PNP will get P110.4 billion, higher by 24.6 percent than in 2016, to hire more policemen, purchase more guns and patrol vehicles, and finance other activities in relation to crime suppression. The AFP will receive P130.6 billion, which is 15 percent higher, to intensify counter-terrorism efforts and protect the Philippines’ borders. Meanwhile, the budget allocation for the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program was hiked to P78.7 billion after the Duterte administration added P23.4 billion as rice allowance for millions os beneficiary families. The rice Read More …

SENATE’S CLOSING MESSAGE FOR 16th CONGRESS: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon is congratulated by his fellow senators after delivering the Senate’s closing message for the 16th Congress, which adjourned sine die during Monday’s session, June 6, 2016. A four-time Senate President, it was Drilon’s ninth time to deliver the closing message of the Senate. Those greeting Drilon, are clockwise, Senators Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Tito Sotto III, along with Senators Gringo Honasan II, Antonio Trillanes IV, Koko Pimentel III, Cynthia Villar and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.(MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said Monday that if it were up to him, he would still prefer that the Constitution be amended via a Constitutional Convention (Con-con) instead of a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass). Lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives remain divided whether to amend the Constitution via Con-ass or Con-con. President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for a Con-ass, saying it is a faster and cheaper mode to amend the 29-year-old Constitution. Con-ass is composed of all members of the Senate and the House convening as Congress discuss proposed amendments to the Constitution, while a Con-con provides for election of delegates who will revise the charter. Drilon, however, pointed out that the President has no participation in changing the Constitution “except as a political leader” because it is an act of Congress. “A resolution for a Con-con or a Con-ass does not need the President’s approval. And once the resolution Read More …