Maniolas

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile gestures during the budget committee hearing of Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Department of Finance (DOF) at the senate yesterday afternoon. Also in photo was Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. (edwin muli) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A Malacañang spokesperson on Thursday maintained that President Benigno Aquino III is not trying to influence the Sandiganbayan on how to treat embattled Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. “Malinaw sa pahayag ng Pangulo na ipinapaubaya sa hukuman ang pasya kung saan maaring i-detine si Sen. Enrile,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement. Coloma was responding to Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chair Dante Jimenez, who claimed the President could be held liable for “influence-peddling” since the Sandiganbayan is still in the process of determining probable cause in Enrile’s case. Jimenez was referring to Aquino’s earlier statement that the court should consider the age and frail health of Enrile in determining where he will be detained once a warrant of arrest is issued against him. Coloma, however, said the President was just asking the court to take into consideration the senator’s physical condition. “Hindi ito maaring maituturing na ini-impluwensya ng Pangulo ang sinuman,” he said. Enrile is facing one count of plunder and 15 counts of graft. He and his co-accused are alleged to have amassed P172.8 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010 through the pork barrel scam. He Read More …

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henarez advises the camp of boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to talk with the BIR to know all the problems on the garnishment order against his bank accounts during a press conference at the Department of Justice on Thursday (Nov. 28, 2013). Flanking her are BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela V. Sales (left) and Atty. Albert Opon. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares said customs brokers and importers are required to get clearance from the BIR before they can transact with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to help boost government’s drive against smuggling. Henares said the new requirements will ensure that customs brokers and importers are involved in legitimate businesses. “Kung talagang nagnenegosyo kayo, every month nagfa-file kayo ng tax returns, at every quarter nagfa-file kayo ng income tax returns. Ginagamit ‘yung records ng BIR para masigurado na talagang kayo ay lehitimong importer o kaya lehitimong customs broker,” she said. Henares also clarified that the BIR will only give clearances to importers and brokers through the Importer Clearance Certificate or the Broker Clearance Certificate, and it is the BOC that will give the accreditation. “Hindi kami nag a-accredit. Ang requirement ng Bureau of Customs bago sila ma-accredit ng Customs ay kailangang pumunta sila ng Bureau of Internal Revenue at kumuha sila ng clearance na talagang nagbabayad sila ng buwis,” she said. Customs brokers are opposing the new directive issued by the Department of Finance, Read More …

First, the good news: The City of Anaheim, place of choice of more than 346, 000 residents, one of the most populous cities in California and home to the world famous Disneyland Resort, has been named  as “2014 Playful City in the U.S.A because of its commitment to providing places and opportunities for children’s year-round balance and active play”. The sad news, and a real dampener which many find Anaheimers hard to believe, is that their beloved city has been ranked 9th in the list  “Unfriendliest Cities in the U.S.” according to a survey of Conde Naste Traveler Reader notwithstanding its 20 million tourists who visit the world class offerings and the reported record-breaking high hotel occupancies. Asian Achiever: Orange County’s Asian-Pacific Islanders achievers in various fields were recognized for their contributions to the community at the awards ceremonies highlighting the celebration of the Asian Pacific Islanders Heritage Month at the South Coast Plaza Shopping Mall recently. The event was organized by Pacific Trade and Culture Alliance in cooperation with their business and professional organizations in the county and had become a showcase for the colorful and artistic heritage of Asian culture. The city elders, led by Mayor Tom Tait, brushed off the label with the honor heaped on the City as a “Playful City” which recognized its effort to“strive to continue to create and maintain a vibrant park system consisting of well-maintained parks which provide safe, challenging recreational opportunities that feature playgrounds with exciting play opportunities”. Anaheim joined 212 other Read More …

97-year-old Filipino World War II Veteran Celestino Almeda (left) was among those who testified in the hearing chaired by Congressman Joe Heck, who respresents Nevada’s Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives WASHINGTON – Congressman Joe Heck held his first official hearing as House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman. The hearing, entitled “Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund: Examining the Department of Defense and Interagency Process for Verifying Eligibility,” provided Rep. Heck and a bipartisan group of subcommittee members the opportunity to question witnesses from the Department of the Army, Department of Veterans Affairs, and National Archives and Records Administration, the main agencies with jurisdiction over the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. In his opening remarks, Rep. Heck talked about the heroic service of Filipino soldiers in World War II and described the plight of The Mighty Five, a group of Filipino-American World War II veterans who reside in Las Vegas and have been denied full recognition of their service. Congressman Heck has worked on the recognition of Filipino-American veterans since coming to Congress in 2011. He has twice introduced legislation to “direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accept certain documents as proof of service in determining the eligibility of an individual to receive amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.” 97-year-old Filipino World War II Veteran Celestino Almeda (left) was among those who testified in the hearing chaired by Congressman Joe Heck, who respresents Nevada’s Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives On February 18, 1946, Read More …

Sarah Geronimo and Coco Martin (MNS Photo) Sarah Geronimo does not agree with Coco Martin’s statement that she is the reason why their first big screen team-up became a blockbuster hit. Martin previously said that he is truly grateful for the singer-actress for making “Maybe This Time” his first blockbuster hit movie. A humbled Geronimo said the success of their film shouldn’t be credited to her alone. “Hindi naman ako ‘yun. Kaming dalawa ‘yun and ‘yung buong production team, ‘yung mga writers namin. Unang una sa lahat, simple lang ‘yung storya namin pero talagang galing sa puso. Kinopya sa buhay ng mga tao. Nilagay lang namin sa pelikulang ito kaya marami lang sigurong natuwa at naka-relate. Hindi ako ‘yun. Kaming buong team ‘yun,” she said. According to Star Cinema, “Maybe This Time” breached the P100-million mark at the box office after only eight days in theaters. It is still being shown in some theaters. Meanwhile, Geronimo thanked God for all her success. “In everything that we do, we acknowledge God, ‘yung grace ni Lord and siyempre ‘yung family natin and the people who give us inspiration. Of course, ‘yung Viva kasi hindi naman mangyayari lahat ng ito kung hindi tayo pinagkakatiwalaan ng management ng Viva and, of course, Star Cinema,” she said. Asked if she also feels tired considering her consecutive projects, the singer-actress said, “Siyempre may mga panahon na napapagod ka rin dahil lahat naman tayo may pagod din naman. Pero ang importante diyan, we enjoy what we do, Read More …