Maniolas

President Barack Obama meets with President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, April MANILA, Apr 28 (Mabuhay) – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday called the new defense agreement between the Philippines and the United States a “milestone” pact that elevates the long-time allies’ defense partnership. A product of nearly two years of planning and negotiations, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA was signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg a few hours before the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama, who makes his last stop in Manila today following a week-long Asian tour that includes Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Philippines. “The EDCA elevates to a higher plane of engagement our already robust defense alliance, a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Del Rosario said in a statement. “It provides new momentum for our partnership and opens up fresh avenues of bilateral cooperation,” he added. EDCA expands the coverage of the existing Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951 by Manila and Washington and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement. It allows an increased but non-permanent presence of American troops to the country and access to designated Philippine military facilities. The agreement is also designed to strengthen the ill-equipped Philippine military for external defense, maritime security and maritime domain awareness amid heightened concerns over China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine officials assured that all activities under the EDCA are covered by the Philippine Read More …

Maja Salvador (MNS Photo) Maja Salvador has finally opened up about fellow ABS-CBN contract artist Kim Chiu, with whom she recently reconciled after a year of estrangement over actor Gerald Anderson. Salvador was asked about the reconciliation on the sidelines of a photo shoot for local clothing line Petit Monde, which has renewed its endorsement contract with the actress for a fourth year. “Sobrang saya,” the 25-year-old actress said of Anderson, who is now also in good terms with Chiu, his former girlfriend. “Alam kong hindi lang sila, ako, kami, alam kong kayong lahat.” “Kasi siguro lahat iyon ang pinagdadasal, and ‘di ba, walang binibigay ‘yung Diyos… ‘Yung dasal mo, ibibigay at ibibigay niya. Tamang timing lang,” she said. Salvador and Chiu were known to be close friends until January 2013 when the “Ikaw Lamang” star expressed regret that their friendship went to waste, following reports of a blooming relationship between Salvador and Anderson. The two have since confirmed being a couple. Chiu and Anderson, who were a popular onscreen couple for four years, controversially ended their real-life relationship in 2010. At the time Chiu and Salvador had a falling out, the two actresses were starring in the series, “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” which ended its run in June 2013. Several reports surfaced saying Chiu and Salvador, while professional on the series’ set, were no long in speaking terms. “At iyon, ito ‘yung time na hinihintay naming lahat dumating na,” said Salvador, who had been vocal of her hopes to make Read More …

NBI says Cedric Lee and Zimmer Raz, suspects of serious illegal detention case filed by Vhong Navarro, will be temporarily jailed at their detention facility.PHOTO courtesy of CECIL VILLAROSA (DZBB) MANILA, Apr 28 (Mabuhay) – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) presented to the media on Monday the arrested fugitive businessman Cedric Lee and Simeon Raz, who are both facing charges of serious illegal detention, a non-bailable offense. NBI-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Elfren Meneses and Assistant Regional Director Vicente De Guzman III presented Lee and Raz, who were both in handcuffs, to reporters during a press conference. Both accused were in good spirits and seemed without any worries at all and sometimes even smiled and joked with the media members. The NBI is set to formally inform the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) about the arrest of the two accused through the submission of the return of the warrant. According to De Guzman, Lee and Raz need not be brought to and presented before the RTC unless ordered by the court. Lee and Raz will remain in the NBI Detention Facility while awaiting for the commitment order to be issued by the RTC or the order where they should be detained. They were arrested by combined elements of the NBI, Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Oras, Eastern Samar last Saturday. They were earlier monitored staying at Japitan Beach Resort in Dolores, Eastern Samar on Friday Read More …

An employee counts U.S. dollar bills before changing it to Philippine Pesos inside a money changer in Manila September 19, 2013. The Philippine central bank said remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have allowed households to save money, boosting the country’s savings rate.(MNS Photo) MANILA, Apr 28 (Mabuhay) — A deeper relationship between the US and the Philippines is key to Manila’s goal of inclusive growth and overall stability in Asia, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Monday. “The affirmation and re-affirmation between the two governments of their common and long-term economic and social interests toward prosperity are very important,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a statement Monday in time for US President Barack Obama’s state visit to the Philippines. He said the Philippines has strong economic linkages with the world’s largest economy in terms of trade, finance, overseas Filipino employment and remittances, and foreign direct investments. Apart from that, the two economies have more common institutions than any other country in the Asian region. “Our commercial, educational, legal, public institutions, and even language, have much in common between the two countries. This is why it is natural that we find common interests in development,” Balisacan, who is concurrently NEDA director-general, added. Last year, the US was the Philippines’ second largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to $14.5 billion. It has also remained as one of the major sources of cash remittances by Filipinos overseas from 2007 to 2013. Balisacan said the US also Read More …

Kris Aquino (MNS Photo) MANILA, Apr 23 (Mabuhay) — “I am not pregnant! Nakakaloka!” This was Kris Aquino’s answer when asked by her doctor on Tuesday whether she is pregnant, before proceeding with intravenous medication after she fell ill while taping for her morning talk show. A laughing Aquino, who was rushed to the Makati Medical Center earlier in the day, shared the conversation with her doctor during the live telecast of “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” “Tinanong ako! Nakakaloka ‘yung doktor!” she narrated. “Bago niya ako saksakan ng kung anu-ano, sabi niya, ‘Ma’am, I hope you don’t mind…’ Sabi ko, ‘Yes, what?’ Hilo-hilo pa ako ah. ‘I just have to know — are you pregnant?’ Sabi ko, ‘No, I’m not pregnant, doc! Nakakaloka!’” “Hindi po akong puwedeng mabuntis!” she added. “Wala po akong ginagawa para mabuntis ako! Can we just clarify that?” Aquino recently confirmed dating Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista. The two have since reportedly split up, following a statement by Aquino about a big change and hinting on a “heartache.” In January, Aquino candidly admitted that she has been celibate for a time. She has two children — 18-year-old Joshua with former boyfriend, actor Phillip Salvador, and 7-year-old Bimby with ex-husband, star cager James Yap. (MNS)