Maniolas

Overseas Filipino Workers (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – A Filipino was among 15 new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) recorded in the last week, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health said. In its March 15 update, the Ministry of Health said those who were found infected were aged 17 to 72. “The nationalities of the infected were: 10 Saudis, two Sudanese, one Yemeni, one Filipino and one Egyptian,” it said. Of the new infections, 10 were in Riyadh, two in Al Ihsa, and one each in Jeddah, Qaseem and Tabuk. On the sources of infection, eight acquired MERS-CoV from the public, five at health care facilities – with two cases involving health care workers – and one from home infection. Another case is still under investigation. On the health care facilities where these cases were registered, eight were MoH hospitals, three were university hospitals, two were private sector hospitals, one was in a national guard hospital, and one was in a Ministry of Interior hospital. The MOH’s Command and Control Center commissioned 2,036 samples from people suspected of having been infected with MERS-CoV. Also, rapid intervention teams of the ministry had conducted 48 site investigation visits during the week, and its preventive medicine surveillance teams visited 15 homes, in which 101 MERS-CoV suspected cases were put under surveillance. (MNS)

Some of the transaction windows at the Makati City Hall are shut Friday as supporters of Mayor Junjun Binay occupy the lobby of the building. His supporters gathered in anticipation of authorities serving the suspension order on Binay. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government has already served the Ombudsman’s suspension order on Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. Binay’s suspension stems from the graft and plunder complaint filed against him and father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2. The Binays and their supporters are crying foul over what they say is a railroaded order. “We’re just wondering bakit pag Liberal Party yung may ganitong sitwasyon eh pinapayagan nila at nirerespeto nila yung prosesong legal na pwedeng gamitin nung isususpend na official, and we’re just wondering, parang nagmamadali,” said the mayor’s sister, Senator Nancy Binay. Before the suspension order was served, policemen were sent to the Makati City hall. The city government estimated that at least 2,000 cops were deployed to the city hall. It’s a scene described by Sen. Binay as overkill. “We’re wondering why in Mamasapano 392 lang yung pinadala dito sa Makati 2,000 may kasama pang SAF personnel,” she said. But the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the public should just look at the end result, which is the successful serving of the order and the prevention of violence. “Sa isyu ng ginamit na pwersa sa Makati, ang importante ay gumamit ang ground commanders ng tamang Read More …

Edu Manzano (MNS Photo) Actor-TV host Edu Manzano looks forward to making a TV comeback after what he calls a “self-imposed retirement” that began 10 years ago. “When I took over the OMB (Optical Media Board), ayoko nang gumawa (ng showbiz-related projects), but now that I have so much time on my hands, (I want to give it another try),” he said. With high hopes, Edu returns to the medium he feels has vastly improved from when he was just starting out. “Ngayon kasi, wala nang superstar-superstar. Lahat kayo pare-pareho. The stars arrive on time, they know their lines,” he noted. The actor recalled a time when movies seemed to rest on the shoulders of the lead actor as the star system in show business goes. “Pero ngayon hindi na (ganun). It’s the production, it’s the story, it’s how you market (the project), ’yung director (that make a hit) so I’m looking forward to working (as actor) again.” Yet again Edu was asked to comment on his son Luis Manzano’s interest in joining politics. Father’s answer is the same. “I allow my children to do whatever they want to do,” he said. “Ang sinasabi ko lang kasi, may kapalit ’yan eh. Kung ikaw ay magpa-public servant, you have to take time out from television or movies to serve the people who voted you into office.” Being a former Makati vice mayor, Edu certainly knows this. He said it’s not good to run for a public post while being seen on Read More …

Defense Secretary Volatire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas attend the 5th public hearing on the Mamasapano incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) insists that the continued detention of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not violate her human, civil, and political rights, even as the Aquino government has yet to officially receive official notice on the case lodged by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney before the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) on behalf of Arroyo. In a 42-page complaint, Clooney, wife of Holywood A-lister George Clooney, argued that the Philippine government violated several provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on its treatment of Arroyo, who is being tried for the non-bailable offense of plunder for the alleged diversion of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds during her stint as president. Clooney said Arroyo’s health has deteriorated because of her continued detention, and her full recovery hindered. She urged the UNHCHR to ask for Arroyo’s release from detention to allow her to seek treatment abroad mainly for her lingering cervical spine problem. While Justice Secretary Leila de Lima pointed out that “any specific comment on the merits of the case would be highly speculative” at this point, she stressed that Arroyo’s detention is a matter carefully decided by the Philippine’s anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, after going through the regular judicial process. De Lima barred Arroyo from leaving the Philippines Read More …

Relatives and supporters of the SAF 44, members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who were killed during the Mamasapano clash, march along EDSA on Sunday. The march turned out to be a solemn memorial honoring the troopers who died on January 25. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday extended for another three more days its all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. ordered another extension for the clearing operations in the affected areas. “Due to ongoing operations and the objective has not yet been accomplished,” Cabunoc said when asked why the all-out campaign against the BIFF was extended again. This is the third extension since the military announced that it was set to end its all-out offensives against BIFF members last week. At the same time, Cabunoc said they are still verifying the location and condition of Filipino bomb maker and Abu Sayyaf member Basit Usman. On the other hand, Army’s 6th Infantry Division public affairs officer Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay said two members of the Philippine Marines were killed in an encounter with the BIFF from 4 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday. Petinglay, however, declined to identify the Marine fatalities while their family has yet to be informed. She added that clearing operations are ongoing at in the so-called SPMS (Salvu, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak) Read More …