BMI Online Editor

Padaca denies challenging Sandiganbayan in plea vs. graft raps

Apr 182014

A Filipino Catholic tradition detailing the life and passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ, through singing. It is sung using local dialects and the hymns depending on what province. Photo shows Catholic devotees in Pasig City sing the traditional Lenten „Pabasa ng Pasyon” in front of a makeshift altar, at the Pasig City Hall. „Pabasa” refers to the chant reading of the Filipino version of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection as a form of Catholic devotees’ religious meditation during the Holy Week. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Election commissioner Grace Padaca on Wednesday denied challenging the independence of the Sandiganbayan in reiterating her supposed immunity from suit, being a presidential appointee, in her appeal to dismiss the graft case she is facing. The Sandiganbayan Third Division has junked her motion for reconsideration to dismiss the graft charges filed against her. The case stemmed from the P25-million grant to the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation, Inc. Padaca, a former governor of Isabela, was accused of allegedly giving undue advantage to the non-governmental organization (NGO) tapped to manage a credit facility for Isabela’s rice farmers under a hybrid seed distribution program. In decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Hernandez, the court said it would require an unprecedented stretch and bending of the law to utilize her appointment as a cause to dismiss or suspend the ongoing court proceedings. “To sustain the motion of the accused undermines independence and the exercise of judicial authority of the Court on account Read More …

Sophisticated 2015 Hyundai Sonata blends confidence-inspiring driving dynamics and premium design

Entertainment

Apr 182014

Sophisticated 2015 Hyundai Sonata blends confidence-inspiring driving dynamics and premium design

2015 Sonata 2.0T NEW YORK – Hyundai today introduced its all-new seventh-generation 2015 Sonata at the New York International Auto Show. Following the incredible success of the outgoing Sonata, the all-new generation offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. Sonata truly democratizes the premium design and convenient technology of the Genesis sedan for the mid-size class. The new 2015 Hyundai Sonata will be built at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery, Ala. and go on sale early this summer. Exterior Design The 2011 Sonata raised the bar for design in the mid-size sedan segment when it was introduced in 2009. Consumers noticed the groundbreaking design and so did the competition. Sonata’s design matures for the 2015 model year with energetic and crisp lines complimented by smooth and subtle surfaces. Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 is a confident evolution of the original fluidic sculpture design language that perfectly expresses Sonata’s premium look and excellent value. A larger, more refined grille with a wide air intake defines the face of the 2015 Sonata. Simple, harmonious lines adorn the exterior while hinting at the improved dynamic performance and human-machine connection Sonata provides. Taut, horizontal rocker panels reflect the chassis’ increased stability and surefootedness while the signature Sonata beltline is now stretched tight to accentuate the sedan’s strength. The coupe-like roofline remains, but it is balanced by a larger window graphic that Read More …

Gerald Anderson hopes to become a dad by 30

Entertainment

Apr 182014

Gerald Anderson hopes to become a dad by 30

Gerald Anderson (MNS photo) Despite news of several celebrity couples tying the knot – or about to – Gerald Anderson is not feeling pressured to propose to girlfriend, Maja Salvador, saying they still have a lot of career plans. Although it is his long-term dream to have his own family, Anderson said that settling down is something he and Salvador have yet to talk about. “Hindi pa [namin pinag-uusapan] kasi sobrang focused kami sa pamilya namin at sa kung ano ‘yung meron kami ngayon. Hindi pa. Ang dami pa naming goals sa buhay. Pero siyempre one day kasama iyan sa mga pangarap na magkapamilya but ‘yun ‘yung mga later dreams ko pa,” he said. Anderson noted that he still needs to save up for himself and his family before thinking of entering into a lifetime commitment. The “Dyesebel” actor revealed that he wants to have his first child at the age of 30. “Malayo pa [’yung kasal], kailangan ko pa mag-ipon. Siguro kapag 30 to 35 na ako. Gusto ko 30 sana may anak na ako. Gusto ko parang barkada ko ‘yung anak ko,” the 25-year old actor said. Asked how many kids he wants to have, he said: “By 30, isa sana and then by 32 may isa pa. Gusto ko apat eh, I want a big family.” Meanwhile, Anderson said it was great working with ex-girlfriend Kim Chiu again. “It was great. Like I said, time will heal everything. Dahan-dahan. I’m just really happy na okay na. We Read More …

Lacson: Distribution of Yolanda funds by Mar Roxas appropriate

Entertainment

Apr 182014

Lacson: Distribution of Yolanda funds by Mar Roxas appropriate

Secretary Manuel Roxas II accepts his appointment to the Department of Interior and Local Government replacing Sec. Jesse Robredo, as announced by President Benigno S. Aquino III during a press briefing at the Presidentâ€™s Hall in Malacanang Palace on Friday (August 31). On the other hand, Cavite 1st District Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya takes over the post of DOTC chief. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Following allegations of politicking against administration officials, rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson on Thursday defended the move of Interior Sec. Mar Roxas to distribute funds to typhoon-hit areas. In a statement, Lacson said “some people” questioned why it was Roxas and not the rehabilitation czar who distributed the checks for the reconstruction of public buildings in areas affected by super Typhoon Yolanda. Lacson said that while the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) has the power to recommend rehabilitation measures to the President, the power to implement plans and programs still remains with the appropriate government agencies. “When it comes to the distribution of funds for the reconstruction of structures like municipal buildings, public markets and civic centers, the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) is the agency that has the power to implement the distribution of such funds,” he said. “[So] it was natural and appropriate for DILG Secretary Roxas to be the person distributing such funds since DILG is the government agency with the power to implement the distribution,” he added. He also clarified it was he, after consultation with the League Read More …

De Lima orders NBI to arrest Cedric Lee

Entertainment

Apr 182014

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. (MNS photo) MANILA Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to serve warrants for the arrest of Cedric Lee and four others accused in the Vhong Navarro grave coercion case who have not posted bail. The other four are Ferdinand Guerrero, Bernice Lee, Simeon Raz, Jose Paolo Calma, who are among the seven people charged of grave coercion and serious illegal detention in connection with Navarro’s mauling last January 22 So far, only Jed Fernandez and model Deniece Cornejo have surrendered and posted P12,000 bail. Should Lee and the four others be arrested over the Lenten break, they can only post bail on Monday. The courts suspended work starting 12 noon today. (MNS)

Top religious leaders gather in Long Beach, declare commitment to work together for peace

Entertainment

Apr 182014

Top religious leaders gather in Long Beach, declare commitment to work together for peace

Religious leaders from across North America and hundreds of students gathered at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach for the 2014 Religious Leaders Peace Conference, hosted by the international non-profit organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL). The religious leaders signed the HWPL Peace Treaty, a pledge to cease conflict amongst religious groups and establish a relationship to work together for peace. LONG BEACH, Calif. – Over 100 religious leaders from across North America and hundreds of university students gathered at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach for the 2014 Religious Leaders Peace Conference, hosted by the international non-profit organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL). The mood of the conference was united and hopeful as religious leaders unanimously signed the HWPL Peace Treaty, a pledge to cease conflict amongst religious groups and establish a relationship to work together for peace. Among those who signed was Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County. The signing of the peace treaty was inspired by the interfaith student peace march that HWPL organized last January in Mindanao, a region in the Philippines suffering violent religious conflict for 40 years. Through the unity of the youth, high officials of Catholicism and Islam were moved to sign a landmark peace treaty that received international media attention. The program also featured a guest panel discussion, highlights and video clips of the signing in Mindanao, a time of united prayer for all faiths, and Read More …

Nimfa Castro leads PHILSELA officers to be inducted on April 26

Entertainment

Apr 182014

Nimfa Castro leads PHILSELA officers to be inducted on April 26

Nimfa Castro CERRITOS – Retail executive Nimfa Castro, president, and real estate broker and lawyer Frank Yokoyama, chairman of the board, lead the new set of officers of the Philippine Society of Southeast Los Angeles (PHILSELA) to be inducted at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Cerritos Sheraton. The event coincides with the 40th anniversary celebration of the premier Filipino organization in the Southeast Los Angeles area and the coronation of 2014 Miss PHILSELA Krisha de Jesus. To be inducted are: Nimfa Castro, president; Armin Reyes, VP budget and finance; Nicolle Yokoyama, VP membership; Elizabeth Boschma, VP programs; Larry Camus, VP ways and means; Cindy Garces, treasurer; Aurora Reyes, assistant treasurer; Lea Manalad, recording secretary; Noemi Elicerio, corresponding secretary; Mryleane Tamayo, auditor; Monet Lu, PRO; Dolly Serrano and Michael de Jesus, Affairs coordinators; and Ernie Papa and Chit Yokoyama, advisers; Frank Yokoyama, board chairman; Linda Bautista, vice chairman; Douglas Bautista, Evelyn Carale, Nimfa Castro, Emma Chupinghong, Daisy Pangilinan, and Lini Teal, directors. 2014 Miss PHILSELA Krisha de Jesus PHILSELA was founded 40 years ago by a group of young Filipino immigrants, mostly professionals from the Artesia-Cerritos area and neighboring communities. Annual activities include the Scholarship Program and the Santacruzan. It also sponsors and supports city-initiated programs, including the Festival of Friendship, Let Freedom Ring 4th of July Event, and Halloween Festival. PHILSELA has also participated in the Philippine Independence Centennial celebration, and the Filipiniana Library Project. The projects scheduled for this year are: Festival of Friendship, Feb. 2; Read More …

Pacquiao targets Mayweather in fight all fans crave

Entertainment

Apr 172014

Pacquiao targets Mayweather in fight all fans crave

By Rebecca Bryan Manny Pacquiao throws a left hand at Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada and wins via a unanimous decision. Will Floyd Mayweather Jr. be next? (MNS photo) LAS VEGAS (AFP) – Manny Pacquiao avenged his loss to Timothy Bradley in convincing style on Saturday, and said he’s ready any time to negotiate the bout with Floyd Mayweather that fight fans crave. “The line is open 24 hours, seven days a week,” the Filipino ring icon said after his 12-round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Bradley. The win rectified what most saw as a grave miscarriage in their first fight in 2012, when Bradley was awarded a split decision win and the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt. Pacquiao’s energy and precision also backed the 35-year-old’s claim that his boxing journey is far from over – making talk of a mouth-watering Pacquiao-Mayweather match inevitable. “If he wants to fight, the fight will be on,” Pacquiao said, although history has shown it’s not that easy. In late 2009 and early 2010, Pacquiao and Mayweather were considered the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters and record profits were expected from a showdown. But a disagreement over pre-fight blood testing scuttled talks already complicated by the need to satisfy rival pay-per-view outlets HBO and Showtime. Other negotiations broke down over the division of the purse, and the intervening years have brought a further chill to relations between Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions and Read More …

2 Pinoys rescued from sunken ferry

Entertainment

Apr 172014

Anger boils over in search for S. Korea ship missing Twenty-five people were confirmed dead, with hundreds still missing, the coastguard said late Thursday, as rescuers battled high waves and recovered more bodies as shown in this BBC footage. Worsening weather fuelled the somber mood, with persistent rain and choppy seas hindering dive teams already struggling with low visibility and strong currents. MANILA, Apr 17 (Mabuhay) – Two Filipino entertainers were among the passengers who were rescued from a ferry that sank off South Korea earlier this week. A report on Bombo Radyo on Thursday quoted Philippine embassy in Seoul officer-on-duty Bobby dela Cruz as saying the two were brought to a hospital for treatment. Dela Cruz did not immediately name the two Filipinos, the report added. But dela Cruz was also quoted in the report as saying no Filipinos were among the 200 reported missing in the wake of the tragedy. He added the embassy will continue to monitor the progress of search and rescue operations. DFA Spokesperson Asec. Charles Jose said in a text message on Thursday that the Filipino entertainers who worked on the ship “are safe and have been brought to the hospital for treatment.” Jose also said there was no report of other Filipinos being hurt in the accident. In Jindo, meanwhile, emotions boiled over Thursday in the frantic search for almost 300 people – mostly schoolchildren – missing from a capsized South Korean ferry, with angry parents confronting President Park Geun-Hye as prospects dwindled Read More …

Aquino leads PNP command conference on Holy Week preps

Entertainment

Apr 162014

Aquino leads PNP command conference on Holy Week preps

Filipinos raise palm fronds to receive a blessing from Italian priest Romulo Bertoni (2nd from left) to mark Palm Sunday at a shopping mall parking area in Las Pinas City, south of Manila, the Philippines, 13 April 2014. Palm Sunday for Roman Catholic devotees symbolically marks the biblical account of the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, signaling the start of the Holy Week. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday went to Cramp Crame in Quezon City to check the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) security preparations for the Holy Week. At a press conference, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino led a command conference at Camp Crame to “ensure that the Holy Week holidays are orderly and peaceful.” She said the PNP presented its preparations for Holy Week, the World Economic Forum in May, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015. “I am told… that the President did make a couple of questions – did pose a couple of questions to the presenters and… those questions were all ably answered,” Valte said without elaborating. Valte said the President will also spend the week monitoring the preparations and actions of concerned government agencies in light of the coming holidays. She reminded the public about the emergency hotlines, a Summary of the Rights of Air Passengers, and an advisory on heat stroke available on the Official Gazette. “These will be helpful to our countrymen who are going out of town for the weekend,” Valte said. Read More …

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