BMI Online Editor

Gov’t defends arrest of NPA ‘power couple’

Mar 252014

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Alexander Padilla during the Launching of Alaga Ka para sa Maayos na Buhay (ALAGA KA) Program at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Monday (March 24, 2014). The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Health (DOH) leads the simultaneous launching of the program in all 17 regions in order to provide the country’s 14.7 million indigent families with greater access to primary health care services. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday said the Tiamzon couple cannot use the joint agreement on safety and immunity (JASIG) as their defense because it has no effect on their standing warrants of arrest. Under JASIG, which was signed by the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) back in 1995, people participating in the peace talks are immune from arrests. Benito Tiamzon is the chairman of the CPP-NPA while his wife, Wilma, is the secretary general. They were nabbed by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Barangay Zaragosa, Aluginsan in Carcar, Cebu last Saturday. THE NDF has asserted that the Tiamzon couple is covered by JASIG but the government panel insists otherwise. Rachel Pastores, lawyer of the Tiamzon couple, said those listed in the JASIG list use aliases as a form of security. “There is the Read More …

OFWs vulnerable to nuclear terrorism, Binay warns ahead of world nuke summit

Entertainment

Mar 252014

OFWs vulnerable to nuclear terrorism, Binay warns ahead of world nuke summit

Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay payS tribute to seven marines killed last year in a clash with Abu Sayyaf militants in Jolo, southern Philippines, during the wake at the Philippine Marines headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines last May 27. At least seven Filipino marines and an equal number of Abu Sayyaf militants were killed in a clash in a new U.S.-backed offensive aimed at rescuing six foreign and Filipino hostages and stopping the al-Qaida-linked gunmen from staging more kidnappings in the country’s south, a military commander said Sunday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – It does matter that the Philippines does not have nuclear weapons nor operate nuclear power plants; millions of Filipinos – particularly those working abroad – are vulnerable to any act of nuclear terrorism. This was the warning of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Saturday, just before leaving for the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands. The Vice President is representing President Benigno S. Aquino III in the biennial summit. He is also the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns. “With over 10 million of our kababayans living and working overseas, any act of nuclear terrorism in any part of the world will inevitably victimize scores of Filipinos,” Binay said. “The Philippines does not possess nuclear material that may be turned into a nuclear weapon by terrorists or other non-State actors, nor does it operate nuclear power plants. Yet the relevance of nuclear security to the Philippines cannot be underestimated.” North America Read More …

Filipino stars Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela to co-headline at Pala May 31

Entertainment

Mar 252014

Filipino stars Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela to co-headline at Pala May 31

Asia’s “Nightingale” Lani Misalucha and Filipino recording artist Jed Madela PALA, CA, March 24, 2014 – Asia’s “Nightingale” Lani Misalucha and Filipino recording artist Jed Madela will bring a night of Filipino star power to the Events Center at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31, when they co-headline the “Perfect Combination” concert at Pala Casino Spa & Resort. Misalucha, a world renowned, award-winning recording artist wows audiences with her three-octave vocal range and sings everything from rock and roll to operatic arias. She also possesses a comedic flair and can perform dead-on impressions of well-known divas. She became the first Asian to headline a 15-month successful run performing with Hawaii’s premier show band Society of Seven (SOS) in the main showroom at the world-famous Jubilee Theater at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Madela dubbed “The Voice,” for his uniquely wide vocal range, is a Filipino recording artist and co-host of the popular Filipino TV variety show, ASAP, where he also performs. He was the first Filipino to become the world grand champion of Hollywood’s World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA), which recently elevated him to Hall of Fame status. Lani Misalucha and Jed Madela 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31; Events Center; Pala Casino Spa & Resort; Tickets, $79, $69, $59, $49; Tickets on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, March 28, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Office, or 1-877-946-7252. Tickets also are available at www.startickets.com, or 1-800-585-3737. Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/Riverside, take I-15 to Read More …

Aquino: Plunder complaint against me baseless, extreme

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Aquino: Plunder complaint against me baseless, extreme

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Jollibee’s Twin Milestone Celebration at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 11). The Philippine’s leading fast-food chain continues to expand its reach here and abroad. It recently celebrated two important milestones in its store expansion efforts – the opening of Jollibee’s 800th store in the Philippines in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and its 100th international store in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also in photo are Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, JFC chairman and chief executive officer Tony Tan Caktiong and JFC chief operating officer Ernesto Tanmantiong. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday shrugged off the plunder complaints filed against him and other government officials, saying they are baseless and extreme. “Curious ako: Ano ho ba supposedly ang na-gain ko dito? Yung element kasi ng plunder you have to have personal gain. So what did I, Secretary Abad, or Secretary Alcala gain?” Aquino said at the sidelines of the Pinoy Music Summit in Malate, Manila. In October last year, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas filed plunder charges against Aquino, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, and Budget Sec. Florencio Abad, among others for their alleged involvement in the so-called pork barrel scam. Last January, the same group filed another plunder case against Aquino, Abad, and Agrarian Reform Sec. Virgilio Delos Reyes, among others over the alleged misuse of Malampaya funds. Aquino, however, said the claims are a little “extreme.” “Besides yung teknikal na aspect dito, siguro Read More …

GMA co-accused in plunder case enters ‘not guilty’ plea

Entertainment

Mar 212014

GMA co-accused in plunder case enters ‘not guilty’ plea

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now a sitting lawmaker in the lower house of Congress, is flanked by husband Jose Miguel Arroyo (L) and her son Congressman Juan Miguel Arroyo inside the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 11, 2012. Arroyo entered a plead of not guilty before an anti-corruption court for her role in an aborted $329 million broadband deal with China’s ZTE Corp in 2007 after a congressional inquiry in 2008 showed she allegedly did not stop her allies from collecting huge pay offs for the deal. Arroyo’s husband, a former communications minister and the former head of the country’s elections agency are facing similar corruption charges. REUTERS/Renz Joshua Posedio/ Philippine National Police-Public Information Office/Handout (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS MANILA (Mabuhay) – A former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member and co-accused of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a P366-million plunder case entered Thursday a not guilty plea before the Sandiganbayan. Jose Taruc V, in handcuffs, arrived at the Sandiganbayan before 8 a.m.., dodging reporters’ questions on his decision to finally surface. He was arraigned at the anti-graft court’s First Division. Taruc surrendered to authorities last Monday after leaving the country on July 19, 2012, a week ahead the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) Read More …

Sen. Bam: substandard steel products killed hundreds in Bohol, Cebu

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Sen. Bam: substandard steel products killed hundreds in Bohol, Cebu

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (left) confers with Sen. Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (right) and Sen. Sonny Angara before the start of the Senate Session on Monday (Jan. 27, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A senator blamed substandard steel products for the death of hundreds of people in the Magnitude 7.2 earthquake that devastated Bohol and Cebu last year. “Hundreds of lives were lost because of substandard and inferior steel products used in houses and other infrastructure,” Sen. Bam Aquino stressed as he filed a resolution seeking to investigate alleged proliferation of uncertified, substandard and smuggled steel products in the country. Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, witnessed the devastation caused by the earthquake in a recent trip to several areas in Bohol. “During my visit, I saw two houses just several meters apart. One was completely destroyed and the other was still standing after the earthquake,” he said. Overall, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll from the earthquake was 222. “Selling substandard steel is a question of greed and a question of corruption. That’s why we need to investigate this before we lose hundreds of life to another earthquake or devastation, God forbid,” Aquino stressed. Backing up his claim, Aquino mentioned a report by the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake that inflicted severe damage in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu. Aquino said a technical Read More …

World Bank OKs $300M loan for PHL project

Entertainment

Mar 212014

World Bank OKs $300M loan for PHL project

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with World Bank (WB) East Asia and Pacific vice president Axel van Trotsenburg during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on Friday (July 12, 2013). In photo are International Finance Corporation (IFC) resident representative Jesse Ang, IFC East Asia and the Pacific director Sergio Pimenta, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad. (MNS Photo). MANILA (Mabuhay) – Over four million Filipino students will have an opportunity to improve their math and reading skills, thanks to the Learning, Equity, and Accountability Program Support Project (LEAPS). The World Bank’s board of executive directors approved a $300 million loan for the LEAPS project, which will provide training for around 36,000 teachers and 12,000 principals and head teachers in five of the country’s poorest regions. “Through LEAPS and with the help of World Bank, DepEd (Department of Education) will be able to advance the basic education agenda of the government. To deliver quality education, we need to empower not only our learners, but also our teachers,” said Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro. “LEAPS will strengthen accountability and incentives for teachers; improve teaching and learning in early grades, especially in reading and math; and address the needs of our disadvantaged learners.” LEAPS will provide support for training Grades 1 to 3 teachers and school principals in reading and math. The project will be implemented in Regions V (Bicol), VIII (Eastern Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Cordillera Administrative Region, and CARAGA. The project Read More …

Jasmine hopes to attend Brussels film fest for ‘Puti’

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Jasmine hopes to attend Brussels film fest for ‘Puti’

Jasmine Curtis (MNS photo) Coming from the success of her first independent film “Transit,” Jasmine Curtis is honored that another movie of hers is making waves in the international scene. Curtis’ second independent movie “Puti” has been included in the official selection of the 32nd Brussels International Film Festival in Belgium, which will be held on April 8 to 20. But as much as she wants to attend the international festival, Curtis said she might not make it because of she has to shoot another movie. “Gusto ko sana kaso meron din kaming isang movie na gagawin in that timeframe. It’s still in the works. We are still planning and fixing everything but we’ve already met with Regal and we are hoping we will be shooting at around that date na,” she said. Curtis, however, said all is still good even if she doesn’t make it to Brussels. “Hindi pa namin sigurado if we can push the movie back for a bit and attend the Brussels. But otherwise, okay lang naman if we can’t attend because our director will be there for the film ‘Puti,’” she said. Curtis said she is excited to work on her upcoming project with Regal because she likes doing suspense drama films. But before that, Curtis said she first needs to focus on “Dementia,” her big-screen project with veteran actress Nora Aunor. “We are leaving in a week to go to Batanes and we’ll be filming the entire movie there for two weeks. I’m trying Read More …

Vilma on Angel: Hindi na siya iba sa amin

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Vilma on Angel: Hindi na siya iba sa amin

Vilma Santos and Angel Locsin (MNS Photo) Vilma Santos said it feels good to be able to bond with Angel Locsin again after the latter got back with the veteran actress’s son, Luis Manzano. This after Santos’ family recently had dinner with Locsin. Santos said Locsin used to join them during important family occasions and it’s nice that they can all be together again this time. “Si Angel is hindi na iba sa amin. There was a time na kasama din namin siya nang matagal. Every Christmas and important occasions, kasama namin siya. It was unfortunate na hindi sila nagkasama for a long time but now they are back and nakikita kong masaya naman,” she said. Manzano announced that he and Locsin are officially back together. The two then made waves on social networking sites during the final episode of the game show “Minute To Win It,” where they officially reconciled. Asked how happy she is to see Manzano and Locsin in love, Santos said: “Kapag nanay ka, kapag masaya ang anak mo, doble ang saya ng nanay. Kapag nakikita kong masaya ang anak ko with Angel, ‘di hamak mas doble ang saya ng nanay.” She, however, chose to remain mum on rumors that the two are already planning to settle down. “No comment. Ayaw ko. Sila ang magbibigay ng last say, hindi ako,” she quipped. Meanwhile, Santos was also not able to evade questions involving the alleged rigging in the recently held PMPC Star Awards for Movies. Asked for Read More …

Kia February sales: Optima and Soul lead sales

Entertainment

Mar 212014

Kia February sales: Optima and Soul lead sales

All-new K900 flagship sedan to begin arriving in showrooms soon Car Pros of Kia of Carson General Manager Juan Alarcon at the showroom featuring the popular Kia Optima (right) and the luxurious K900. IRVINE, Calif. – Kia Motors America (KMA) today reported February sales of 41,218 vehicles, led by the U.S.-built Optima midsize sedan and the totally transformed Soul, with 11,226 and 10,584 units sold, respectively. February also saw the continuation of the marketing campaign to introduce the all-new 2015 K9001 flagship sedan as well as the largest showcase of the company’s Clean Mobility program at the Chicago Auto Show with the global debut of the brand’s first-ever electric vehicle for the U.S. market – the Soul EV2 – and the refreshed 2014 Optima Hybrid. The K900 is scheduled to arrive in select dealer showrooms beginning this month. Optima Hybrid is on sale now, and the Soul EV will arrive in the fall. The Kia Optima has become Kia’s sales leader, selling more than 150,000 unitsin 2012 and gaining worldwide acclaim for its European-inspired design and fun-to-drive performance. In a segment long known for bland functionality more than emotional appeal, the 2014 Optima cements the model’s status as a trailblazer combining style, substance and value. Refining the Optima’s sculpted, high-end appearance, Kia’s Frankfurt-based design team focused on the vehicle’s front and rear fascias and the brand’s signature tabbed grille. The vehicle’s bold stance and aerodynamic shape are further accentuated by updated rear diffusers and a sweeping trunk lid. The all-new 2014 Kia Soul Read More …

Older Entries Newer Entries