Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm welcome from the locals during the Inauguration of the Ninoy Aquino Bridge and its Connecting Road Networks in Barangay San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on Monday (August 18, 2014). The newly constructed 360-meter Ninoy Aquino Bridge across the Chico River, costs P599.40 million, is connected to two other small bridges, the 40-meter Malummin and the 20-meterAngag bridge. MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said he is ready to square off with President Benigno Aquino III in 2016 should the Chief Executive decide to run for reelection. “Opo,” Binay told reporters on Friday when asked if he would still run for the country’s highest post in case Aquino decides to run too in 2016. He said it has always been his dream to become President. “2010 pa sabi ko naman sa inyo kayong mga media tanong ng tanong, sabi ko, ‘Opo, bata pa ako pinangarap ko na.’” “Naghanda naman po ako rito, nakapag-aral naman ako. Pangalawa, ako naman ay dalawampu’t isang taong mayor. Kaya dadalhin ko sa pwesto ng pagkapangulo ang aking kahinatnan at kakayahan,” he said. However, Binay thinks a battle between him and Aquino is far-fetched. He said he does not believe the President will seek a term extension through Charter change. While he strongly disagrees with Aquino’s new stance on Charter change, he lays the blame squarely on the President’s advisers. “Ang pagkakatanda ko sabi ni Presidente magkukonsulta siya sa kaniyang mga bossing. Okay lang yun. Pero sana huwag siyang Read More …

The ceremonial distribution of assault rifles to the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy Marine troops was held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters canopy at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday (August 14). One of the major programs of the AFP Modernization is to upgrade the mission-essential capability requirements of the AFP in terms of firepower for the ground troops. The whole project will be delivered within the year and will be shipped in two batches. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Monday the government should seriously consider sending home 115 Filipino soldiers in Liberia as Ebola virus is expected to wreak havoc in West Africa for the next six months. “If Ebola continues to thrive up to six months in West Africa, we better pull out our soldiers in Liberia. Their safety and lives must be given priority now and that is a better option to do now than continue risking them there with the dreaded disease,” Romualdez stressed, adding that the government should consider the recommendation of the Department of National Defense (DND) to pull out the Filipino troops in Liberia. Romualdez reiterated his call for the officials of the Department of Health (DOH) to double their efforts in ensuring that the country remains Ebola-free. “We commend them for their work, but our health officials should continue to be vigilant and double their efforts in ensuring an Ebola-free Philippines,” Romualdez said. Last week, the House committee Read More …

Applicants who are including dependant children on a permanent resident application must now be aware of new rules regarding age of dependant children. In the past, an applicant could include a unmarried child who was under 22 years of age OR include an unmarried child who was over 22 years of age on the condition that the child was a continuous full time student from the age of 22. Effective August 1, 2014 the age of dependant child has been reduced. Currently, an applicant can only include an unmarried child who is under the age of 19 – period. Canada Immigration has removed the “still a student” option and therefore children who are studying full time, and are 19 years of age or older, can no longer be considered dependent children. Lock in Date and Applications Already in Process For all permanent resident applications Canada Immigration locks in the age of a dependent child at the date that CIC receives a complete application for permanent residence.  A complete application is one that is made in writing using the form provided by the Department, signed by the applicant, including all information and documentation required including processing fees. Certificat de sélection – distressful situation: For the purposes of determining whether a child is a dependent child, the lock-in date for the age of a child of a person who is referred to in section 71, to whom a Certificat de sélection du Québec has been issued declaring that that person is in a 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) — Despite his detention in connection with the graft and plunder case he is facing, Senator Jinggoy Estrada is still open to seeking higher office in 2016. In fact, in an ambush interview on the sidelines of his bail hearing on Tuesday, Estrada said he believes he will be a free man in time for the campaign season for the next national elections. “My options are still open,” he said. “I’m confident, wala namang kaso. Wala namang sinabi yung mga witness.” Estrada is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center on accusations that he pocketed millions in government funds by diverting his pork barrel allocations to bogus non-government organizations. He has repeatedly denied the accusation. Estrada, son of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, is reportedly being groomed to be the running-mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has expressed his intention to run for president in 2016. Binay has earlier claimed he has received information that the ruling Liberal Party was considering adopting him to be its standard bearer in 2016. Binay, the presumptive presidential candidate of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, described the information as “raw,” adding there had been no discussions with the LP regarding the scenario. Estrada, however, said he feels that Binay will not abandon Read More …

IRRI Deputy Director General, Communication and Partnerships Bruce J. Tolentino underlines the importance of durable regional agreements, especially among ASEAN member nations, on rice production and supply to ensure food security. Thailand and Vietnam, both members of ASEAN, are the world’s largest producers and exporter of rice. The forum was held Wednesday (July 30) at the Ascott Hotel in Makati City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Criminal charges were formally filed with the Department of Justice against rice trader Davidson Bangayan for allegedly rigging the National Food Authority’s rice importation program. Bangayan, who’s allegedly the same person as notorious rice smuggler David Tan, was charged with violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act for bid-fixing. He was also charged with violation of Article 186 of the Revised Penal Code, penalizing monopolies and restraint of trade. Bangayan was also charged separately for using a fictitious name or concealing true identity in violation of Article 178 of the RPC and violation of Commonwealth Act No. 142 as amended by Republic Act 6085. “Upon investigation, the NBI discovered a scheme whereby certain rice traders/importers were able to corner the National Food Authority’s rice import allocations through the use of farmers’ organizations/cooperatives and single proprietorships as dummies in the NFA bidding for rice Import Allocation under the Private Sector-Financed  importation thru the NFA Tax Expenditure Subsidy,” said the NBI in its complaint. The NBI said the rice traders and importers pooled the bidders into groups and financed their individual bids for NFA rice allocations. Read More …