Maniolas

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan President Rodrigo R. Duterte warns that he will not allow any hindrance to programs that will uplift the lives of the Filipinos, during his first State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa on July 25. (MNS photo) MANILA (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he will make use of the entire government resources to fight the war against illegal drugs. “In this quest I’ll put at stake my honor, my life and my presidency itself. There will be no let up in this campaign . Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars, or below the ground, if they so wish, ” Duterte said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Chief Executive also said that he would support all the way the Philippine National Police (PNP) to eliminate illegal drugs in the country. “To police officers, or PNP officials, do your job and you will have unwavering support of Office of President, I will be with you all the way,” he noted. However, Duterte warned police official and local officials not to abuse their authority. “Abuse your authority, and there will be a hell to pay, for you will have become worse than criminality itself. I order Napolcom to conduct investigation and adjudication of administrative cases involved in criminal activities and illegal activities and prescribe Read More …

DOL representatives and Consul General of the Philippines renew its partnership to promote worker’s rights. Left to right: Américo Pagán, assistant regional administrator cooperative and state programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Atlanta, Emilio T. Fernandez, Consul General of the Philippines, District of Columbia; and Sung Kim Chu, assistant district director, Wage and Hour Division, Atlanta. The Embassy of the Philippines and U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have renewed its partnership to promote worker’s rights at a signing ceremony in the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building in Atlanta. Sung Kim Chu, assistant district director, Wage and Hour Division, Atlanta, Américo Pagán, assistant regional administrator cooperative and state programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Atlanta, and Emilio T. Fernandez, Consul General of the Philippines, District of Columbia represented their agencies at the signing. The agreement renewed a collaborative partnership with the Philippines to provide information, guidance and access to education and training resources for Filipino nationals working in Georgia. The consular section of the Philippine Embassy in the District of Columbia and the department’s district and area offices will work together to develop ways of communicating information to both workers and employers to make them aware of the rights and responsibilities of all parties under the OSH Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, H-2A and H-2B programs. According to assistant district director, Sung Kim Chu of the Wage and Hour Division, “the agreement allows for a collaborative effort to deliver education and training on the laws enforced by the Wage Read More …

Vilma Santos (MNS Photo) Congresswoman Vilma Santos has come out in strong support of her son Luis Manzano after the television host received harsh criticism over his admission that he is dating actress Jessy Mendiola. “Naniniwala ako sa anak ko na sa edad niya ay kaya na niyang dalhin ang sarli niya,” the “Star of All Seasons” said, adding that the allegations that Manzano cheated on his former girlfriend, actress Angel Locsin, with Mendiola will soon pass. “They [Manzano and Mendiola] are mature enough to handle such situations,” Santos explained. “It is just napi-piyesta lang masyado. That’s why I was telling them to be calm, relax lang kayo, huwag nang patol ng patol. Lalagpas din iyan.” Manzano, three months after confirming his split with Locsin, told the media that he and Mendiola have started going out. It was in response to a report claiming that they are already a couple, and after photos of them on a movie date surfaced. As the news broke, fans of Locsin were quick to assert that the former “Maria Mercedes” star was the third party in the high-profile breakup—a claim Manzano vehemently denied. Responding to the rumors, Santos insisted that there is nothing wrong with her son dating Mendiola, and said that she believes him when he said that he did not cheat on Locsin. Santos also managed a laugh when asked about her thoughts on her son’s taste in women. With Mendiola, Manzano has now dated three actresses who were named “sexiest” in Read More …

President Rodrigo R. Duterte engages the crowd as he delivers his message during the inspection of the 5MW Biomass Power Plant in Buluan, Maguindanao. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) – President Rodrigo Duterte assured on Monday his respect for the separation of Church and state amid concerns from the Catholic Church about his bloody anti-crime war and endorsement of a three-child policy. “At this point, there are concerns, a few I wish to convey to all to the end as I figurate facts, figures, plans, programs and solutions. These concerns will not dissipate or get lost along our way,” Duterte said in his first State of the Nation Address at Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City. “Let me assure that while I’m a stickler for the principle of separation between the Church and State, I believe quite strongly that there should never be a separation between God and State,” he added. Duterte, whose comment over Pope Francis’ visit to the country last year drew a firestorm of protest from various sectors, had said he doesn’t begrudge the Church of its right to intervene if an issue becomes a moral one. Catholic bishops expressed alarm over the killings of drug suspects who supposedly resisted arrest. The Church is also against artificial forms of family planning, which Duterte supports.(MNS)

Neophyte Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (right) administers the oath of office of newly-elected Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III during the opening of the Senate session under the 17th Congress on Monday (July 25, 2016) at the Plenary Hall of the Senate Building in Pasay City. Also in photo are immediate members of the Pimentel family, including former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. (center). (MNS photo) MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) — Senator Aquilino Pimentel III is the Senate President of the 17th Congress. On Monday, 20 senators gave their thumbs up for Pimentel through a nominal voting. Senator Vicente Sotto III, who earlier expressed willingness to take the top Senate post, nominated Pimentel, saying he humbly gave way to a young and valiant lawmaker. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri then seconded the motion, calling Pimentel as his former bitter rival because of their past issue where the former was forced to resign as senator to give way to the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal. Senator Francis Escudero, on the other hand, nominated Senator Ralph Recto for Senate President. It was seconded by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Recto got three votes. Meanwhile, Trillanes said Recto will be the Senate minority leader. “Senator Recto will be the minority leader. Nag-usap sila ni Chiz, I was informed kagabi. Agree naman kaming tatlo,” he told reporters. Trillanes said the minority bloc will be a fiscalizer but will not be a hindrance to the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration. “I believe na kailangan mabantayan yung Read More …