Maniolas

Levito Baligod , the former lawyer of pork scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy, believes his former client has the more credible list of lawmakers implicated in the pork barrel scam of Janet Lim Napoles. He said he made separate lists based on the information, which was then verified by the pork scam whistle-blowers. MANILA, May 15 (Mabuhay) – The camp of pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy on Thursday opposed the bid of Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the multibillion-peso anomaly, to become a state witness and get immunity from suit. “We believe that she should not be granted immunity. Her questionable credibility is a natural liability that can do nothing to contribute to the cause of our witnesses,” Luy’s legal counsel Raji Mendoza told reporters on Thursday. Mendoza noted how Napoles had lied “many times”, citing her appearance at a Senate inquiry where she denied any knowledge on the P10-billion anomaly. But lately, Napoles confessed to taking part in the scheme and even produced a list implicating several people. “We do not know kung ang sinasabi niya ba ay ang buong katotohanan, bawas na ang katotohanan, nadagdagang katotothanan, or pawang kasinungalingan,” Mendoza said. On the other hand, the camp of Technology Resource Center director general-on-leave Dennis Cunanan, a co-accused in the scam who turned provisional state witness, refused to comment on the Napoles’ immunity bid. “For now wala kaming mai-co-comment diyan sa intention niyang maging state witness at ang pagkakadinig ko according to her lawyer, hindi naman siya nag-a-apply Read More …

Ms. Hasmin Mama, one of the 37 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Syria, expresses gratitude to the Philippine government and Embassy personnel who helped them come home. These 37 female OFWs arrived Friday (March 7) afternoon via EK 332 of Emirates Airlines at the Gate 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Another batch consisting of 41 Filipinos has been repatriated from Syria with the help of Philippine officials in Lebanon and Syria, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The DFA said the Philippine embassies in Beirut, Lebanon and Damascus, Syria, worked with the International Organization for Migration to repatriate the 41 last May 6. “The departure of this group of 41 Filipinos brought to 2,305 the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria via the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut since the first cross-border operations began on 12 December 2012,” it said in a news release. “This brings the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 5,334,” the DFA added. The DFA said the IOM shouldered the airfare and expenses for land transportation and meals of the repatriates. It added the May 6 operation was the 50th cross-border operation. A Reuters report said more than 150,000 people have been killed in the Syria conflict, which has become increasingly sectarian as rival regional powers have backed either President Bashar Hafez al-Assad, a member of the Shi’ite offshoot Alawite sect, or the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels who oppose him. Millions more have fled Read More …

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago attends the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing of the P10 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam Thursday, November 7. Santiago reminded Napoles that she cannot just invoke her right against self-incrimination MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – Former Senator Panfilo Lacson said a lifestyle check is in order against Senator Miriam Santiago now that the Benhur Luy list is out. Santiago earlier called for the release of the Luy list amid the disclosure of the Janet Napoles list that Lacson is holding. On the Napoles list, Santiago’s name was not included. Her name is on Luy’s list, on the other hand. “Barely one day before Luy’s list came out, she was saying that the Luy’s list was more credible. Understandably, crooks often forget petty transactions since they would likely use the loot on less significant expenditures. They only remember the big ones that enter their fat bank accounts,” Lacson said in a statement. He said that since Luy’s list is now out, “the Senate’s self-proclaimed anti-pork ‘crusader’ must be quaking in her shoes while cracking her head thinking of some crazy pick-up lines to divert the issue from her P2.5M rebate aka kickback from her P10M allocation through a Napoles NGO.” Both Santiago and Lacson have been trading barbs through the media. Santiago said Lacson is the “attack dog” of the senators earlier implicated in the pork scam: Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla. Miriam: I will make my detractor pay In a separate statement, Read More …

By Atty. Henry Moyal MOYAL & MOYAL Canadian Immigration Lawyers (screenshot courtesy of www.moyal.com) Q. I read that Canada’s immigration program is open and that there are many occupations in demand in Canada. I’m an experienced engineer and my wife is a manager. I believe we are qualified but need your final opinion. Most importantly, I am hesitant to apply because I am out of status here in Las Vegas. Can I file an application while I have no status? Do I need to leave the USA to do my medical? A. The most important part of the assessment is to determine if you are qualified under the new rules. If you are not, then the issue of your status becomes irrelevant. That being said, you are correct in saying that Canada has recently opened its policy to a wide array of occupations. Many occupations which have not been in demand before are now in high demand. Similarly, engineers and managers are always in high demand in Canada. If you have at least one year of full time work experience (within the last ten years) and a strong level of English then you are eligible to apply. No job offer is required. No relative in Canada is required (to petition you). Finally, a person’s status in USA is not a factor. If you have lost status in USA you are still eligible to apply. We have been successful in doing so many, many times. You also do not need to leave USA to obtain medical or police clearances. Q. What are the benefits of applying to Canada vs. USA immigration? Read More …

Erwan Heussaff and Anne Curtis (MS Photo) Restaurateur and food blogger Erwan Heussaff said he and girlfriend Anne Curtis are “fine,” following their reported separation after more than three years of being a couple. Heussaff took to Twitter to address a story on the popular showbiz blog Fashion Pulis, which cited a “very reliable source” in confirming the alleged breakup. “Thanks for the concern, but let’s remember that FP isn’t BBC, there are more veracious sources of information out there. We are fine,” he said. Heussaff also answered the story’s comment on his and Curtis’ “behavior” on their respective social media accounts. “Also, I’m not in showbiz, so my relationship is mine to keep precious and not yours to devour,” Heussaff said. “If I don’t post about it, that’s my prerogative.” Heussaff’s last post about Curtis on his Instagram page was on April 19. He shared a photo of them together in Myanmar. Likewise, the “Dyesebel” star’s last post mentioning Huessaff was on the same date. Both tweets from Heussaff about the rumored breakup were re-tweeted minutes later by Curtis on her page, which is seen by her 6.41 million followers. A couple for almost four years now, Curtis and Heussaff have denied repeatedly that they are planning to get married soon, citing their respective careers as their priority. Aside from his blog and restaurants, the Filipino-French Heussaff is also a triathlete and has been active in sharing his weight loss story, having weighed 245 pounds at one point. Despite Read More …