Maniolas

Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, June 30, for his arraignment over the plunder charges filed against him and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the alleged P10-B pork barrel scam. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Citing his diabetes and a bullet lodged in his spine, former APEC party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez on Wednesday asked to be detained at the PNP-Custodial Center instead of a regular jail, noting its proximity to a hospital. “It is most respectfully prayed for of the Honorable Court to order his detention at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, while the above captioned case against him is being heard,” said Valdez in his motion to the Sandiganbayan. Valdez was among the second batch of lawmakers charged earlier this month by the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. Three senators also charged in connection with the pork barrel scam are currently detained in Camp Crame — Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. at the PNP Custodial Center, and Juan Ponce Enrile, who is 91 years old, at the PNP General Hospital. In his Urgent Ex-Parte motion, Valdez, who surrendered to the sheriff of the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday, said he needs easy access to a hospital for regular monitoring of his health. He chose the PNP Custodial Center because of its proximity to the PNP General Hospital, which is also in Camp Crame. He said this will make it easier Read More …

Kyla (MNS photo) Kyla believes that she has maximized her opportunities with her former home network of 15 years, GMA 7. This was the reason, the R&B singer said, behind her decision to leave and explore her options. Kyla explained that she recently signed up with Cornerstone Talent Management Center, which is planning to revamp her career. Referring to her 15th anniversary in showbiz, Kyla said, “Ngayon pong year na ‘to, maraming blessings and surprises na nangyari.” Kyla did not answer directly when asked if she is now officially a Kapamilya, more than a week after she bid farewell to GMA 7. “In my 15 years as an artist and as a performer, feeling ko po na-maximize ko ‘yung pagiging an artist doon sa kabila,” she said. “Ngayon, I’m just really, really happy.” “Now that I am open for anything, I am happy and excited na makakatrabaho ko ‘yung mga artists that I look up to and they’re all here on ABS-CBN. Hopefully, sana, in ‘ASAP,’” she added, referring to the Sunday concert variety show. The “Hanggang Ngayon” hitmaker went on to clarify that she parted from GMA 7 on good terms, not only with her fellow artists, but with executives of the network as well. “Naging nice po ‘yung exit,” she said. “Actually, very happy po ako kasi everyone there, colleagues ko, co-artists, big bossings, they’re all happy and supportive sa desisyon po na nagawa ko.” (MNS)

Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim giving the Welcome Remarks. Los Angeles – The Philippine Consulate General and the Department of Tourism in Los Angeles launched on 17 February 2014, the 10th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) to the Philippines scheduled for July 6-10, 2015. The 10th ACGTDT is a joint project of all Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (Agana, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, EVA Air, Korean Air and Rajah Tours Philippines. The theme for the 10th ACGTDT is “Join, Explore and Experience.” About 65 tour representatives, friends from the media and members of the Filipino-American Community attended the official launch at the Rizal Hall of the Consulate. The ACGTDT is organized to enable Filipinos based in North America to revisit their homeland and experience the beauty of the country’s top tourist destinations, take a vacation with family and friends, and explore business opportunities. The Basic Tour is from 06 to 10 July 2015 and covers an Economy roundtrip airfare for the Los Angeles-Manila-Cebu-Manila-Los Angeles route with choices either via Philippine Airlines  (PAL), China Airlines or EVA Air.  The tour program includes;  one (1) night stay at Sofitel Hotel with buffet breakfast; Manila City Tour or Corregidor Tour w/add-on of US$67/passenger; followed with three (3) night stay at Radisson Blu and Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu with daily buffet breakfasts, dinners with cultural show and entertainment; Cebu City Tour; Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo Tour and Island Hopping Tour. Optional tours to Bohol, Boracay and Palawan are offered at additional cost.

Diether Ocampo (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Diether Ocampo finally broke his silence on allegations that he is hiding from the production staff of an independent film which he produced after failing to pay them. Ocampo became a hot topic online when accusations surfaced that he did not pay some of his staff members despite their rendered work. In a statement, Ocampo said he is taking full responsibility for what happened. “As the executive producer of Tandem Entertainment, I take full responsibility. There are matters beyond my control that led to this predicament. I will never run away from my responsibilities,” he said. Ocampo said his camp has already arranged a meeting with his staff in order to resolve the problem. “I treasure the people behind the project and I would not allow them to suffer. I assure the staff that I will give them what is due them,” he said. One of the staff members agreed to an interview but refused to show his face on camera. “Actually nagbigay siya sa ibang mga staff ng post-dated check last January. Naka-date ‘yun ng February 10. Pero noong ‘yung iba nagpapalit na, hindi daw napondohan. All in all, siguro mga milyun-milyon ang utang ni Diet sa aking estimate,” he said. While some production staff members were paid in installments, the staff member said there are others who were not paid at all. “Yung ibang staff, hanggang second down payment pa lang ang nare-receive and the other staff, wala pa talaga. ‘Yung Read More …