Maniolas

Senator Bong Revilla, shown in photo on his way to be detained on plunder and graft charges, said his lawyer, Sal Panelo, only talked about the rats and roaches in his cell in jest. Revilla’s lawyer has said the senator’s family saw rats “as big as cats” inside the senator’s cell. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A lawyer of the Anti-Money Laundering Council on Thursday said Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. used the bank account of a “dummy” corporation to receive alleged kickbacks from Janet Napoles. During his cross-examination for Revilla’s bail petition, Atty. Leigh Von Santos confirmed Revilla did not use aliases in his bank accounts. Santos, however, said Nature Concepts Development and Realty Corporation – a company owned by Revilla’s wife Lani Mercado received deposits amounting to P23 million even during the period when the company was not operating. The AMLC investigator said the company’s bank account got P2.2 million in 2007, P15 million in 2009 and another P250,000 during the same year. Santos said Nature Concepts could be considered a “dummy corporation” of Senator Revilla. He earlier said the company had no corporate and financial activities reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission. An AMLC report also said Nature Concepts received a total of P27.745 million through deposits from 2007 to 2010. This is the same period that whistle-blower Benhur Luy alleged that Revilla received kickbacks from his anomalous transactions with Napoles. “Despite the insubstantial capital, it received substantial amounts through deposit totaling Php 27,745,000, most of Read More …

Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano (MNS photo) Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano are both hoping they’d be given more time together to help them establish a credible on-screen chemistry. Fortunately, the two who played best of friends in the 2013 rom-com “She’s The One,” will get their wish as they headline ABS-CBN’s upcoming primetime romantic drama series “Forevermore.” Enrique, who has already been paired with countless leading ladies in his young career, is aware of the disadvantages of not having a constant love team partner, one of which is the inability to develop rapport. Another point of consideration for him are the fans. “Kapag they fall in love with the love team (established) before, mahirap silang mag-accept ng bago.” On the other hand, being able to share screen time with a variety of actors has proven beneficial for Enrique and has allowed him to “grow more as an actor.” Liza, for her part, is excited to be paired with the actor, whom she admits is her crush. “So ngayon I’m happy na ma-e-experience ko na kung pa’no siya as a leading man,” she says. The two are aware of the pressure their launching project entails. “Kailangan talaga naming i-prove sa kanila na kaya din namin (to carry a show),” Liza says. “And pressured din kami na siyempre maraming comparisons (with other love teams).” Enrique is confident that “Forevermore” will do well. “Sobrang ganda ng script at ang buong team, talagang tinutukan nila every detail. “They gave a lot of time Read More …

Los Angeles-Former Philippine Dept. of Tourism Attache in Los Angeles Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim was honored by the Philippine Heritage Institute (PHI) last October 11, 2014 at a Gala event in Norwalk, California. Los Angeles-Former Philippine Dept. of Tourism Attache in Los Angeles Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim was honored by the Philippine Heritage Institute (PHI) last October 11, 2014 at a Gala event in Norwalk,  California. The annual Gala also honored other notable leaders of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles. Cuevas-Lim received PHI’s Distinguished Service award for her 20+ years of commendable service with the Phil. Dept. of Tourism.  In addition to the PHI award, Cuevas-Lim received a special Proclamation from the office of California Assemblyman Rob Bonta of Alameda, California, the first and only Filipino-American to be elected to the California Assembly. On behalf of Assemblyman Bonta, the Proclamation was presented to her by her husband Atty. Abraham Lim, a practicing immigration attorney based in Montebello, California and current President of the Los Angeles-Makati Sister City Chapter under the auspices of Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Atty. Abraham Lim also presented Cuevas-Lim with a special Proclamation from Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge who honored and recognized her years of service and dedication to fostering cultural ties between the Philippines and the United States. Atty. Lim represented the office of Councilmember LaBonge.

Kylie Padilla and Rayver Cruz (MNS photo) Kylie Padilla, the daughter of action star Robin Padilla, was not shy to admit that she finds Rayver Cruz attractive. Padilla and Cruz are co-stars in the upcoming horror movie, “Dilim.” Padilla said she likes Cruz for being a gentleman even when he is not in front of a lot of people. “Lahat naman ng lalaki gentleman. Pero siya kasi wala siyang pinipili. Meron kasing lalaki na gentleman lang sa harap ng tao. Siya kahit walang mga tao, gentleman talaga,” she said. Asked if it is possible that their friendship would blossom into a romantic relationship, Padilla said: “Let time tell. Mahirap din mag-expect eh.” Padilla’s last relationship was with Aljur Abrenica, while Cruz’s last girlfriend was Cristine Reyes. “It could be, yes. Mabait [si Ravyer]. Pero ayaw ko kasi mag-judge from that alone. Kasi dito pa lang sa movie na ito ko nakasama. If ever lalabas pa din kami, kung magyayaya siya, titignan ko pa kung puwede. [Kung libre ako] Why not?” she said. Padilla said she also takes into consideration what her father has told her. “Wala pa. Fresh pa kasi yung [last relationship]. Eight months pa lang pero take time lang… Ayaw din muna ni Papa na mag-boyfriend muna ako ulit,” she said. For now, Padilla said it would be better that she and Cruz would get to know each other more first. (MNS)

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (left) and US Marine officials inspect the 20-ft. shipping container which was converted into a temporary detention cell for USMC Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey Laude, in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, October 22. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, was transferred on Wednesday to a facility inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo after the United States allowed the move. A helicopter carrying Pemberton landed at Camp Aguinaldo at 8:45 a.m., AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said. AFP received custody of Pemberton at 8:45 a.m., and he will be detained in a 20-footer air-conditioned container van inside the camp while the preliminary investigation of his murder case is ongoing, Catapang told reporters. “He will be detained at the Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Facility inside the camp while the preliminary investigation is ongoing,” he said. “He will be sleeping in a military-type camp bed with an air-conditioned system,” he said. But when asked if Pemberton will be allowed to use a mobile phone, he said they may still discuss the matter. Catapang said it will be up to the court to decide on the appropriate detention facility once a case has been filed against the accused. Among the AFP officials seen in the area was Visiting Forces Read More …