Maniolas

Mourners take part in a memorial for the victims of the Mamasapano encounter in front of the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Quezon City Tuesday. The groups demand truth and accountability from those involved in the bloody clash, which resulted in the death of 44 PNP-SAF officers, 18 Moro rebels, and 7 civilians. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP |  – Philippine soldiers rescued members of a Muslim armed group from rival extremists despite frayed ties over the killing of 44 policemen last month, a military report said Sunday. Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is engaged in a peace process with the government, were besieged by the rival Abu Sayyaf group in the troubled island of Basilan on Saturday, requiring military intervention, said a statement from the regional military command. “Three platoons… along with armoured vehicles together with some members of MILF in the area… proceeded to the encounter site to reinforce the beleaguered MILF members who were engaged in the firefight,” the statement said. One wounded MILF fighter was evacuated by the soldiers who later overran an Abu Sayyaf camp and are believed to have killed one Abu Sayyaf leader, the report added. MILF members and other Muslim fighters ambushed and killed 44 police commandos while they were on an anti-terror operation in the southern island of Mindanao on January 25. The incident violated a ceasefire between the government and the MILF and threatened President Benigno Aquino’s efforts to complete a peace process which would create Read More …

There are several issues to consider in answering this question. The most important point is the value of your car. In most cases, you can protect your car using the allowable bankruptcy code exemptions. An exemption allows you to file for bankruptcy relief and protect some of your property. The bankruptcy courts understand you need a car to get to work and to pick your kids up from school. So long as you aren’t driving an antique classic car, or an expensive sports car you will likely be able to keep your car. The next question is whether you have clear title to your car. If you have pledged your vehicle as security for a debt, or if you are financing or leasing a vehicle, you have three options for secured car loans when you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Reaffirm: A reaffirmation agreement is a contract between you and the car creditor in which you agree to pay the balance owed on your car note, despite the bankruptcy filing. You continue to make payments, and the creditor promises that, as long as payments are made, the creditor will not repossess or take back the property. Reaffirmed debts are not discharged, the debt survives the bankruptcy. If you do not make your car payments after you reaffirm the car loan the car lender can repossess the car and sue you for the deficiency balance. After the finance company repossesses the car they will sell the car at the auto auction. Usually the Read More …

Talk of Estrada possibly running anew for 2016 started after Vice President Jejomar Binay said he has information that some Liberal Party members are considering adopting him as a guest candidate for the 2016 presidential race. MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Supreme Court may have junked the disqualification case against former President and incumbent Manila mayor Joseph Estrada but Associate Justice Marvic Leonen insisted that Estrada should not have been allowed to run as Manila mayor in the first place and should never be allowed to run again in future elections. “This case has distressing consequences on the Rule of Law. By reading an ambiguity in favor of a convicted public officer, impunity is tolerated,” he wrote in his dissent, copies of which were distributed to the media. “Not having been unequivocally restored to a status worthy of being a repository of the public trust, there is no reason to lavish Joseph Ejercito Estrada by facilitating his reversion to elective public office,” he added. Leonen and his two fellow dissenters, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, were overruled by the majority (11-3), which decided to junk the petition filed by Alicia Vidal, counsel of former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, Estrada’s strongest rival in the 2013 mayoral race in Manila. In its ruling, the high tribunal took into consideration the pardon given to Estrada in 2007 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in coming up with their decision. “The majority characterized the pardon extended by Mrs. Arroyo to Mr. Read More …

Kuh Ledesma with Music & Magic band (MNS Photo) Singer Kuh Ledesma will reunite again with her Music and Magic family as they are set to do a Valentine show at The Theatre of Solaire Resort and Casino. The show, dubbed as “The Music of the Heart, The Magic of Love,” will feature the band’s versions of chart-topping hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s. Ledesma will be joined by Music & Magic’s original roster, whic includes Jet Montelibano, Fe delos Reyes, Eva Caparas, Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, Toto Gentica, Hector Pedero, Butch Elizalde and Nonoy Mendoza. Also part of the show are the band’s second-generation members including Bobby Taylo, Vicky Sevilla-Pangilinan and Jeannete Casuga-Trevias. Ledesma celebrates her 35th year in showbiz this 2015. Aside from a series of shows, Ledesma is also hoping to release a book. (MNS)

You just cannot sit down and talk with President Noynoy these days. His close associates in Malacañang said the President is “depressed.” The President did not even attend the annual awarding ceremonies of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM). He, instead sent Secretary Almendras to give the awards. I think President Noynoy is more scared of the prospect of being unseated as President amid calls for his ouster rather than being depressed  on what happened in the Masasapano massacre . Civil society groups and several church leaders are supporting calls for President Noynoy to step down, Even the families of the 44 police commandos slaughtered by Muslim rebels in Masasapano, Maguindanao, said they will join groups to march in the streets to demand the resignation of President Noynoy. It was reported that President Noynoy was given a “cold treatment” by families of the slain cops and by some PNP officers  when he attended the necrological services at the SAF  headquarters in Taguig city. At least two families refused to acknowledge the presence of the President and even refused to receive the medals being awarded to their slain husbands from the President. I cannot blame these grieving families. The President never showed compassion, humility and sorrow during the necrological services for the fallen soldiers. The President even arrived late, they said. Most probably, President Noynoy attended another inauguration party from a car manufacturing firm. Calls for President Noynoy to step down have snowballed in the wake of public outrage Read More …