BMI Online Editor

DOJ takes over all cases related to Vhong mauling incident

Feb 042014

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 10, 2013). In photo are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) MANILA, Feb 3 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice has consolidated all cases related to the mauling of actor Vhong Navarro in a condominium in Taguig City last month. In a one-page order issued on Monday, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, head of the National Prosecution Service which is under the DOJ, said they were consolidating two cases because they “arose from the same incident, founded on the same factual and legal issues involving same parties.” The consolidated cases included the rape case filed with the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office by model-stylist Deniece Cornejo against Navarro, who was mauled by friends of Cornejo led by Cedric Lee inside the Forbeswood Condominium at the Bonifacio Global City. The rape case was consolidated with a separate case filed with the DOJ by Navarro against his own accuser, Cornejo, Lee and several other involved in the mauling. Navarro filed cases of illegal detention, serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion, illegal arrest, and blackmail. The Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office was also asked to turn over all records of the case filed by Cornejo to the DOJ “immediately upon receipt hereof.” Read More …

Senate to file perjury charges vs David Bangayan

Entertainment

Feb 042014

Senate to file perjury charges vs David Bangayan

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, Feb 3 (Mabuhay) – The Senate agriculture committee on Monday is set to file perjury charges against businessman David Bangayan for allegedly lying under oath during the Senate’s investigation on rice smuggling. However, instead of detaining him, Sen. Cynthia Villar directed the Senate legal counsel to file perjury charges against Bangayan before Friday this week. She said she will also ask the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration to place Bangayan under the immigration watchlist. She said the panel will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel his passport. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she has already placed Bangayan in the watchlist. She also said the National Bureau of Investigation is set to serve the arrest warrant for Bangayan issued by the Caloocan regional trial court in connection with a charge for violation of RA 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage. De Lima said this is the same arrest warrant issued by the court against David Tan, which is allegedly an alias used by Bangayan. The justice chief said the DOJ issued a manifestation to the court, saying that Bangayan and Tan are one and the same person. Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile was the first to move to cite Bangayan for contempt after the senator insisted Read More …

Five injured in attack on Philippine church

Entertainment

Feb 042014

Five injured in attack on Philippine church

His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, escorted by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines His Excellency Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, Cor Unum Undersecretary Rev. Msgr. Segundo Muñoz and Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines deputy head of mission Rev. Msgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala, signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the courtesy call on Wednesday (January 29). (MNS photo) ZAMBOANGA (AFP) – Five people were injured Sunday when motorcycle-riding men hurled a grenade into a church in the troubled southern Philippines in a city known for Muslim rebel activity, officials said. One of two men on the motorcycle threw the grenade into the Roman Catholic church in a suburb of the city of Zamboanga just as a group of senior citizens were meeting there, police and district officials said. Four senior citizens and one passer-by were injured, said district chief Jodifer Arquiza. “It (the motive) is unlikely to be personal. What can they get from these senior citizens? Perhaps this is a message,” he told reporters. The local police chief, Chief Inspector Felixberto Martinez, said they were pursuing all possible leads but could not give a motive for the attack. The bombing came days after troops elsewhere in Mindanao island launched a major operation against a breakaway Muslim rebel group opposed to peace talks with the main Muslim rebel organisation, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Zamboanga City was also the scene of a bloody siege in September by another Muslim Read More …

LBC ‘Moves Forward’ through rebranding program

Entertainment

Jan 312014

LBC ‘Moves Forward’ through rebranding program

LBC’s new rebranding program was unveiled at a recent press conference called “Moving LBC Forward” held at Lem Balagot’s LA Rose Cafe in Los Angeles. Most of their corporate staff based in Northern California headed by Patricia Garcia, who manages all of their North America Region. In her presentation, Ms. Garcia said that the new rebranding program of LBC goes “beyond moving boxes or transmitting money; it focuses on moving lives, warehousing and distribution globally.” Further, she said that “with every balikbayan box, or every shipment of goods are timeless memories of loved ones sending them, along with countless relief packages they have moved during the recent devastating Typhoon Yolanda back home.” On LBC’s “Moving Forward” brochure, President Dino Araneta’s message “defined what LBC stands for as a group of people and as a brand.” In their “new brand promise to unite a common vision,” Mr. Araneta stressed the “three(3) key values that are fundamental to their customers which become the building blocks in their brand promise.” These are their 3 C’s: Certainty, Clarity and Convenience. Certainty, because LBC gives customer confidence; Clarity, because LBC believes in providing transparent and timely information to their customers; Convenience, because LBC promises to move money, packages and goods globally. Ms. Patricia Garcia, Regional Brand Head, North America during the brand unveiling at LA Rose Cafe. In a timely television interview of Dino Araneta which I have also watched recently, he recalled that LBC Express was started by his Dad 63 years ago and so when LBC celebrated their 60th Anniversary Read More …

Aquino meets with Head of Pontifical Council in Malacañang

Entertainment

Jan 312014

Aquino meets with Head of Pontifical Council in Malacañang

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 29, 2014). Also in photo is Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines His Excellency Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III received Cardinal Robert Sarah, the president of Pontifical Council Cor Unum, in a courtesy call in Malacañang on Wednesday. Accompanying Cardinal Sarah during the event were Rev. Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary for the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Rev. Msgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala, Deputy Head of Mission, apostolic nunciature in the Philippines, and Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines Giuseppe Pinto. President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 29, 2014). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) The Pontifical Council Cor Unum for Human and Christian Development is a part of the curia of the Catholic Church established by Pope Paul VI on July 15, 1971. It is based in the Palazzo San Callisto, Piazza San Callisto in Rome, Italy. The name of the pontifical council means “one heart”. Its mission is care of the Catholic Church for the needy, thereby encouraging human fellowship and manifested through the charity of Christ. The council carries out humanitarian relief Read More …

NO APOLOGIES: PHL stands firm in diplomatic row with Hong Kong

Entertainment

Jan 312014

NO APOLOGIES: PHL stands firm in diplomatic row with Hong Kong

The Aquino administration described as “unfortunate” Hong Kong’s decision to scrap the visa-free arrangements for visiting Philippine diplomats and officials but reiterated that the Philippines will not apologize for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis that resulted in multiple deaths to Chinese tourists. “At the end of the day, we submit that the act of one individual should not be construed as the act of the entire nation,” President Benigno Aquino has said MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines insisted Thursday it would not apologize for a 2010 hostage crisis in which Hong Kong tourists died, saying its response to the tragedy had been generous and compassionate. The statement came after the Hong Kong government announced on Wednesday it would impose diplomatic sanctions against the Philippines because of its “unacceptable” failure to apologize. “The Philippine Government regrets the Hong Kong SAR Government’s implementation of sanctions against the Philippines,” foreign affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement. However he said the Philippines “is not prepared to consider” an apology. Rather, the Philippines would reiterate its “deepest regret and condolences”, while providing more compensation to the survivors and the victims’ relatives. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Wednesday that the current visa-free arrangement for visiting Philippine diplomats and officials would be suspended from February 5. They are currently able to stay 14 days without a visa. Leung described the move as the “first phase of sanctions” and said the government may take more action if it thought it could be “effective” Read More …

Teens who eat healthy breakfast dodge metabolic illness as adults

Entertainment

Jan 312014

Teens who eat healthy breakfast dodge metabolic illness as adults

Teens who start the day off with a well-balanced breakfast are less likely to develop metabolic syndrome later in life, according to a new study.©manzrussali/shuttertsock.com (Relaxnews) – Here’s another reason to make breakfast the most important meal of the day, and start young: a recent study out of Sweden has found that teens who ate poor breakfasts were more likely to develop symptoms of metabolic syndromes like gut fat, high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels in their adult years. In fact, in the 27-year study, researchers found that young people who neglected to eat breakfast or ate a poorly balanced meal to start the day ran a 68 percent higher incidence of developing metabolic syndrome, compared to youth who had consumed substantial breakfasts as teens. Metabolic syndrome refers to a collection of risk factors for developing illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. They can include everything from abdominal obesity, high levels of harmful triglycerides and low levels of protective HDL (high density lipoprotein) to high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. For their research, scientists from Umea University documented the breakfast habits of 889 teens at the age of 16 using questionnaires. They then followed up with a health check 27 years later when the participants were 43 years old. Poor breakfast habits were defined as skipping the meal altogether, or tucking into something sweet. “Further studies are required for us to be able to understand the mechanisms involved in the connection between poor breakfast and metabolic Read More …

‘Remarkable’ growth for PHL economy despite disasters

Entertainment

Jan 312014

‘Remarkable’ growth for PHL economy despite disasters

By Mynardo Macaraig President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial laying of the San Gabriel Power Plant Project time capsule in Brgy. Sta Rita, Batangas City January 14 that include Batangas Governor-turned actress Vilma Santos, among the many manifestations of continued economic growth in the Philippines. (MNS Photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippine economy was one of the fastest-growing in Asia last year after shrugging off devastating natural disasters and expanding at a “remarkable” pace in the final quarter, the government said Thursday. The economy grew by 6.5 percent in the last three months of the year even as a super typhoon claimed thousands of lives and an earthquake struck popular tourist islands, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters. “This is a remarkable turnout,” Balisacan said, as he emphasised the final quarter expansion was expected to be the fastest in the Asia-Pacific after China, which recorded annual GDP growth of 7.7 percent last year. Growth for all of 2013 was 7.2 percent, the fastest since President Benigno Aquino came to power in 2010 and exceeding the government target of 6.0-7.0 percent. The government said the main drivers of growth were in the manufacturing, trade, real estate and finance sectors, while hailing the performance as further proof of Aquino’s economic stewardship. The Philippines endures relentless natural disasters because it is located along a typhoon belt and the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many of Earth’s quakes and volcanic eruptions occur. However the final quarter Read More …

Could Chicago become the new City of Light?

Entertainment

Jan 292014

Could Chicago become the new City of Light?

Chicago skyline, lake MichiganThe Chicago skyline could soon be lit up at night, if a new design competition comes to fruition.©AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Relaxnews) – Chicago could soon overtake Paris to become the new City of Light, if Mayor Rahm Emanuel has his way. At a recent public talk, Emanuel announced plans for a new international design competition to find ways to illuminate the Windy City’s architectural landmarks in a bid to boost tourism. The competition, set to launch at the end of January, will be open to artists, architects, planners and designers from around the world. The initiative will begin with the Chicago River and extend throughout the city, seeking ways to use light installations as a way to invigorate the city at night. “Since taking office, I have been focused on tourism as a key driver of our economy and an area in which we needed a comprehensive strategy and focus,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Now is the time for us to continue that growth, including focusing on iconic events and opportunities that will place Chicago at the center of the global conversation.” The project could see Chicago’s architectural gems including its skyscrapers, Frank Lloyd Wright houses and bridges lit up for the world to see. Since Emanuel came to office two years ago, the Midwestern metropolis has seen tourism rise from 40 million to 46 million visitors per year. His goal is to boost that number to 55 million per year by 2020. sm/cm

Lacson: No overpricing of bunkhouses but…

Entertainment

Jan 292014

Lacson: No overpricing of bunkhouses but…

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on the update on effects of Typhoon Pablo at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (December 12). In photo are Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) Panfilo “Ping” Lacson would not name the local politicians who he said were getting in the way of reconstruction efforts in communities affected by typhoon “Yolanda.” “On a positive note, yesterday, we found out na medyo nag-lie low na ‘yung mga nakikialam doon sa bunkhouses,” Lacson told reporters. “Hindi naman masyadong importante iyong mga pangalan dito, ang importante iyong mensahe na hindi kayo lulusot kasi maraming nagbabantay.” Lacson agreed that there is no overpricing of the bunkhouses being built as temporary shelters for typhoon victims but said substandard materials were used for the bunkhouses. He cited an instance in Eastern Samar where the roof of a bunkhouse was blown away by a relatively weaker typhoon “Agaton.” Previously, a probe was launched to look into reports that politicians Read More …

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