Maniolas

SENATE INQUIRY ON ICC: Senate President Franklin Drilon (left) denies he has anything to do with the bidding for the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center. “To set the record straight, I had nothing to do with the bidding for the project. I did not participate in the constitution of the Bids and Awards Committee. I did not interfere with any part of the bidding process, nor did I nominate or appoint the winning bidder,”Drilon told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the convention center. Also in photo is Senator Teogisto “TG” Guingona III, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Makati City Mayor  Jejomar Erwin “Jun-Jun” Binay  Jr. should  accept the  suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman just like what some senators did when they were also  ordered suspended over the  “pork barrel” scam, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday. “He should follow what our colleagues did  in the Senate. They accepted the suspension  as part  of the process…”  Drilon  told reporters. The Senate leader was apparently referring to Senators  Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon  “Bong” Revilla Jr, who were  suspended  by the Senate  on orders of the  Ombudsman. The  three senators   have been  detained after being  charged  with plunder and graft over the  pork barrel scam. Binay, on the other hand, was  placed  under preventive suspension by the  Ombudsman in connection with the Read More …

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada turnover a key to the city of Manila to President of the French Republic Francois Hollande during the wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Manila (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Contradicting his earlier statement that serving as mayor of the country’s capital will only be a one-shot affair, former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday expressed intention of seeking re-election in 2016. Estrada said though nothing is final yet, he is likely to seek re-election in next year’s local and national elections. “Kung ako tatanungin, wala naman akong ibang plano kundi sakali, baka mag-run ako for re-election as mayor of Manila,” Estrada, more popularly known as Erap, said. Estrada bared this a day after the Supreme Court affirmed its earlier ruling dismissing the disqualification case filed against him by Alicia Vidal, the legal counsel of former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, Estrada’s rival in the 2013 elections. In its ruling, the SC found Estrada eligible when he ran as Manila mayor in 2013, saying his civil and political rights were restored when he was given absolute pardon in 2007 by then-President and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Asked if he still intends to run for higher office, specifically as president, following the favorable Supreme Court ruling, Estrada said: “Wala na. Tapos na ako roon. Ang gusto ko ngayon ay maibalik natin ang image of Manila as the ‘Pearl of the Orient.’” Estrada said it becomes a great challenge for him to bring Read More …

Recently, various labor groups congregated at the historic Mendiola bridge to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the “Mendiola Massacre,” with the hope of getting justice for the families of the slain farmers. It you may recall, on January 22, 1987, police and military personnel, on orders reportedly emanating from Malacañang, violently dispersed a farmers’ march at Mendiola bridge. The incident left 13 protesting farm workers dead while 20 others were injured, some of them critically, when police and military personnel opened fire on the marchers. After nearly three decades, not even one police or military personnel involved in the shooting has been prosecuted or charged in court. The massacre took place during the early administration of the late President Cory Aquino, mother of current Philippine President Noynoy Aquino. Farmers hold a noise barrage in front of Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City on Tuesday to clamor for the passage of agrarian reform bills pending in Congress. 81 Catholic bishops signed a petition on Monday appealing to President Aquino and congress to pass the bills. (MNS Photo) In the recent rally, instead of getting even a semblance of sympathy from the government, the grieving families of the slain farmers were instead rebuked by Malacanang officials, stating that President Noynoy is not accountable for the deaths of farmers demanding agrarian reforms during the term of his mother. Many farmers have lost or sacrificed their lives with the hope of achieving their elusive dream of owning the land they have been promised Read More …

Members of women’s group Gabriela join religious and civil society organizations in forming a human chain along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City on Friday to commemorate the 40 days of the Mamasapano incident. The activity was one of several events calling for peace in Mindanao. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The President has asked his legal team to study how to deal with having to appoint a Philippine National Police (PNP) chief even while a four-star general is still on active duty in the police organization. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President is aware that the PNP chief has to have four stars but there can only be one four-star general at a time. “Normally, when a person is appointed, nae-elevate siya to the position and the rank especially in the rank. Pero ang problema ho ngayon, the position is vacant but the rank is not so that has to be looked into as well,” Valte said. Director General Alan Purisima has resigned as chief of the PNP following the Mamasapano incident. He, however, has not yet retired or left service. “Matagal na hong pinapatingnan din ng Pangulo ‘yan. Remember the former chief of the PNP is retiring November pa of this year. So, yes, that is an issue that is being studied,” Valte said. Asked if the President would appoint an officer-in-charge instead, she said, “The President is quite aware of the urgencies of appointing a chief PNP.” The Palace also assuaged fears that Aquino will Read More …