Maniolas

“Today’s travelers and investors are focused on Asia because of its robust tourism potential and growing economy,” says Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-LIm in last May 8’s presentation of Philippine Airlines’ new Boeing 777-300ER that now serves the Manila-US flights hosted by PAL Area Manager Marie Jemma Saranillo (center, right photo) and her staff in Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES − Following the recent aviation upgrade to Category 1 status the Philippines has received from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Philippines Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier, added three new B777-300ERs to its fleet. PAL’s acquisition of the new B777s is part of the Philippine carrier’s modernization program aimed at improving the company’s financial and operational performance. In a product update event on Thursday, May 8, 2014 held at the Reef Restaurant in Long Beach, CA, Philippine Airlines-Los Angeles headed by Area Manager Marie Jemma Saranillo said that PAL will start using the more powerful Boeing 777 for its flights to the US. This development is a welcome boost to the Philippines growing tourism industry and is well received by tourists and tour operators. Travelers who generally prefer to take a direct flight to Manila from the United States will benefit from PAL’s fleet upgrade because the powerful B777s can fly 14,700 kilometers from Manila to the United States mainland and back nonstop without refueling. Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, who graced the event, in his remarks said that from California alone there are a lot of potential travelers who Read More …

Andi Eigenmann and Jake Ejercito (MNS photo) Amid reports that they are no longer together, actress Andi Eigenmann posted a new photo showing her with Jake Ejercito, the son of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. In her official Instagram account, Eigenmann posted a photo showing her and Ejercito in Boracay during the long Labor Day weekend. “And in that moment, I swear, we were infinite. #LaBoracay2014,” she wrote in the caption, quoting a line from the best-selling book “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Last month, Eigenmann herself confirmed that she is not on good terms with Ejercito, following weeks of speculation that the two are no longer together. However, she also said at the time time that she wants to patch things up with Ejercito, with whom she has been romantically linked since 2011. The two, while always seen in public together, never confirmed being officially a couple, although Eigenmann, who has a two-year-old daughter with former boyfriend Albie Casiño, has been vocal of her feelings for Ejercito, saying at one point that what they have is “real love.” Eigenmann has recently been romantically linked to former child star Tom Taus, the brother of actress Antoinette Taus, although she has denied this, saying they are childhood friends. Currently, Eigenmann is part of the hit series “Dyesebel” with Anne Curtis. (MNS)

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar – President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the exchanges during the 24th ASEAN Summit Plenary at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center-1 (MICC-1) on Sunday (May 11, 2014). “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the theme for this year’s ASEAN, highlighting the importance of a united ASEAN. (PLDT powered by SMART) (MNS photo) NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar, May 12 (Mabuhay) – No less than President Aquino has confirmed that some of his allies have been included in lists of lawmakers that are being linked to multibillion-peso pork barrel scam of Janet Lim Napoles. However, he also pointed that there are three different lists of lawmakers who allegedly benefited from the scam. At least two of the lists do not match, he said. “I think I have seen, iyong physically seen, I have seen two and they don’t agree with each other exactly…They supposed to have come from Mrs. Napoles,” he told reporters. “[Former] Senator [Panfilo] Lacson was telling me of another list given to him by relatives of Mrs. Napoles, ano. And, again, there is a substantial detail there that doesn’t again agree with the other two. So when you ask me: ‘Did you see a list?’ I think the best answer is I have seen physically two lists and I am told that there is a third list.” Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the P12 billion pork barrel scam, earlier submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Read More …

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar – President Benigno S. Aquino III expresses his views during the Coffee Meeting with the Philippine Media at the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Summit at the State Meeting Room 1 of the Horizon Lake View Hotel on Sunday night (May 11, 2014). In photo are House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Presidential Communication Oprerations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma (PLDT powered by SMART) (MNS photo) NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar, May 12 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III said he is confident that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be brought to justice despite the Ombudsman’s dismissal of a graft case filed against her in connection with a P728-million fertilizer fund scam. In an interview with the media here following his attendance of the 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Sunday, President Aquino said the case filed against the Pampanga representative that was dismissed by the Ombudsman due to lack of evidence, was not filed by his administration. “We discussed it in passing the other day. First question I asked was: ‘Did we file this?’ And the answer was: ‘We didn’t file it,’” President Aquino said during his interview held at the Horizon Lake View Resort. The President said if the government gets the necessary evidence to make a stronger case, then the graft case can be filed again. President Aquino stressed that his government has always believed in building strong cases that would lead to conviction. “My promise to the Filipino people has always Read More …

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, poses questions to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind during the hearing on Thursday (Nov. 7, 2013) at the Senate building in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA, May 12 (Mabuhay) – The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is issuing a subpoena to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to produce the list of lawmakers who allegedly benefited from the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. TG Guingona told reporters that he had just signed a subpoena duces tecum for de Lima to surrender the list to the Senate this week. He said rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson has also committed to submit all documents about the pork barrel scam to him “within the week.” “I think it is time already in the spirit of transparency the list should be brought out. Not only the list in the hands of Secretary de Lima but also the list that Senator Lacson has,” he told reporters. Asked if de Lima can reject the Senate subpoena, Guingona said: “She cannot (refuse). She has to honor the subpoena.” He said there will likely be a hearing based on the contents of the lists. He said the list will be made open to the public. Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles submitted the list of lawmakers linked to the scam last month just before she underwent surgery at the Ospital ng Makati. Lacson later revealed that as many as 16 senators have been linked to the scam, based on Read More …