Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima during the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy at the Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday (August 28, 2013). EAC is an open event for key high-level officials of competition agencies in East Asia. EAC participants exchange ideas, views and experiences on emerging regional competition issues; and undertake to strengthen understanding and cooperation with regard to the implementation of competition policy and law across the region. In photo is Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) chairman Kazuyuki Sugimoto. (MNS photo) MANILA, June 4 (Mabuhay) – The sworn statement of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles has already been turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Wednesday. In an interview, De Lima said Napoles’ affidavit was turned over to the Ombudsman on Tuesday, together with Napoles’ application for immunity. “Yesterday, I officially transmitted to the Ombudsman copies of her affidavits and accompanying request ng kanyang lawyers for immunity. We will be deferring to the judgment of the Ombudsman on that point,” De Lima told reporters after her confirmation hearing at the Senate. De Lima added that her department will continue checking Napoles’ claims against testimonies of pork barrel scam whistleblowers. “We are continuing with our vetting, validation and fact-finding. Kasi alam ko karamihan sa mga tao, gusto malaman kung alin sa mga sinabi ni Mrs. Napoles sa kanyang affidavit ang Read More …

(second from left) Lotus Festival, Inc. Vice President Mohammed Ahsan, Lotus Festival, Inc President Leo Pandac, (5th from left)) Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, Madam Fides Herrera-Lim, Ms Cora Soriano, Lotus Festival, Inc. Media Consultant Buster Sussman and Lotus Festival, Inc. Treasurer Henry Cao. Los Angeles – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles hosted the Launch of the 2014 Lotus Festival on 30 May 2014 at the Community Hall. The 34th Lotus Festival will feature the Philippines as the country of honor and will showcase Philippine traditional art, music, food and dances to be held at Echo Park, Los Angeles from 12 to 13 July 2014.  The Lotus Festival is organized by the L.A. Lotus Festival, Inc. with the Department of Recreation and Parks and the City of Los Angeles as the main sponsors. The Lotus Festival coincides with the traditional blooming of the lotus flower symbolizing rebirth and its mission is to develop, promote and create an atmosphere of understanding where Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Southern California come together for two (2) days of cultural sharing.  The last time the celebrated Lotus Festival was in 2011, since then Echo Park underwent rehabilitation works from 2012 to 2013. In Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim’s remarks, he said that the Philippine Consulate General is eager to highlight Philippine culture and traditions especially on the Opening Day on 12 July 2014, and is coordinating with Philippine-American communities, providing an hour and a half program of entertainment. The L.A. Lotus Festival, Inc. President, Leo Pandac, informed the Read More …

“I will be the next president” is perhaps what Philippine’s Vice President Jejomar Binay is telling U.S. President Barrack Obama as he welcomes the U.S. president upon his arrival at an airport in Manila April 28, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The camp of Elenita Binay, the wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, will file cases against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of the Ombudsman for reviving cases already dismissed with finality three years ago. In a statement, Joey Salgado, Binay’s spokesman, said this could all be part of the demolition job against the vice president who has admitted several times that he will be seeking the presidency in 2016. Salgado is referring to the reopening of malversation charges against Mrs. Binay in connection with the purchase of beds for the Ospital ng Makati during her tenure as Makati mayor. As a result, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued on May 20 a hold departure order. Salgado lamented the manner by which the OSP had conducted their review of the dismissed cases, which, he said, “showed undue haste, harassment, and the blatant absence of transparency.” He said there was not even any new evidence or witness to support the revival of the cases. “We had hoped that given the highly charged political atmosphere arising from the revelations of Janet Lim-Napoles, the Ombudsman’s OSP, would have shown greater prudence to avoid allegations that it is persecuting those who are not allies of the administration,” he said. Salgado noted that Read More …

Filipino boxer and incumbent Congressman Manny Pacquiao, right, raises the hand of his wife Jinkee shortly after filing their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for next year’s midterm elections at the local Commission on Elections office in Alabel township, Sarangani province in southern Philippines Tuesday Oct. 2, 2012. Pacquiao is seeking reelection for his province’s lone congressional district while his wife is running for vice-governor of the province. Pacquiao’s younger brother and a sister-in-law have also entered politics and are running as Congressman in another province and as a village chief respectively. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – Being world boxing champ, a heavyweight politician, an actor and a preacher is not enough for the Philippines’ irrepressible Manny Pacquiao – now he wants to be a professional basketballer. The pint-sized 35-year-old has caused shockwaves and much disbelief with his adoring fans at home by declaring his intention to become a playing coach for an expansion team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). “Even when I was a kid, even before I learnt to box, basketball was my first love,” Pacquiao, who has won an unprecedented eight boxing world titles in different divisions, told reporters this week. Pacquiao stands at 1.69 metres (five feet, seven inches) and has no history as a basketballer in competitive leagues, but intends to serve as playing coach for the newly created Kia Motors team when the next PBA conference starts in October. He defended himself against critics who said he would be no match for the Read More …

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Johnson poses for a photograph with Philippine soldiers after conducting helicopter insert and extract training on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 29, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Pete Thibodeau MANILA (Mabuhay) – Pristine Ulugan and Oyster Bays in Palawan province do not only have great value not only as a haven for nature lovers, but great strategic potential for the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is considering allowing the United States military to use the venues for training, under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). “(K)asi nakita natin ang potential niya at kailangan magkaroon ng paraan para ito ma-develop into a naval facility,” AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said. EDCA, signed earlier this year by the Philippines and the US, expands cooperation between the two countries and allows the US military to build military facilities in “agreed locations.” It is seen to help the Philippines deter incursions by countries like China to disputed parts of the South China Sea, which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea Ulugan Bay is a harbor for sea vessels especially in bad weather. The military’s Naval Forces West had moved its headquarters there while the Navy has a detachment in the area, he added. On the other hand, Oyster Bay is a potentially strategic area considered for US troops’ use, as one can get to the West Philippine Sea from there via Ulugan Bay. Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez noted such a potential Read More …