Maniolas

Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon speaks before media on Friday calling for an investigation of a protocol breach by poll technology provider Smartmatic. The transparency server script was tweaked by Smartmatic to correct a character in the names of candidates with “ñ in them.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Commission on Elections chief Andres Bautista said it would have been better if technology provider Smartmatic did not touch the script of the transparency server, a move that has become controversial in light of a tight vice presidential race. Bautista maintained that the change, done to correct the server’s reading of ‘ñ’ in the names of some candidates, did not affect the results. However, he pointed out: “If they are prudent, they should have not.” “Basically what happened is they changed it for cosmetic purpose, they are our technology provider, but before they can do that change, they need the password from Comelec… There are two people who have the password—from Comelec and PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, at whose headquarters the server is housed),” Bautista said. He added: “There is no hiding. In fact, there [was] CCTV footage, but perhaps, if they are prudent, they (Smartmatic) should not have done it.” The poll chief said anew that their records are open for anyone who wishes to look into the incident, which happened around 7 p.m. on May 9. Last week, the camp of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is at a close second in the vice presidential Read More …

New outdoor event featuring prominent Asian Pacific American entertainers and performers LOS ANGELES – Councilmember David Ryu and the City of Los Angeles will be rounding off the end of Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (LAAPAHM) with “Pacific Bridge,” a high energy family-friendly concert that invites some of the most renowned Asian Pacific American(APA) artists and entertainers for an evening of celebration and live-performances. This free event will debut on May 21, 2016 between 6:00pm – 9:00pm on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall. Pacific Bridge aims to recognize the historical and cultural ties between the City of Los Angeles and the Asian Pacific American community through art, food, and live performances. “This community concert is a new effort from the City of Los Angeles to highlight the talent and diversity of APA artists and  entertainers in the entertainment industry” said Councilmember David Ryu.  “Pacific Bridge gives an opportunity for residents and families all over Los Angeles to join us in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage with a fun, and free evening of live performances.” Pacific Bridge is part of a series of events LA APAHM is hosting throughout the month of May to highlight that APAs are part of the fabric of the City of Los Angeles and reinforce the 2016 LA APAHM theme “We Are LA.” Below is a sneak peak of the performance lineup: Awkwafina Awkwafina is a Queens-born rapper, comedienne and actress. She is best known for her viral music videos with a Read More …

A woman sells souvenir car plates with images and slogans of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte along a sidewalk in Davao City on Wednesday. Davaoeños are ecstatic with the results of the general elections, with their mayor expected to set a historical first for Mindanao. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte will focus on easing restrictions on foreign direct investments specifically on land ownership and share of capital, Ernesto Pernia, one of the members of his economic team, said on Monday.  “He’s willing to go for a land lease for 50 years, renewable for another 50 years. And then on the share between the capital of foreign investors and local investors, now it’s 60 percent local, 40 foreign. He said he is willing raise the foreign share up to 70 percent and 30 percent to local investors,” Pernia said. “Those are what foreign investors are interested or have been complaining about in the past. If those measures are combined along with easing of constitutional restrictions in foreign direct investment, I’m sure we will have a surge in foreign direct investments in the coming years,” he added. Pernia, also the University of the Philippines economics professor emeritus, said they also plan to raise infrastructure investment to 5 percent of the gross domestic product, where infrastructure spending shall go to the improvement of the agriculture sector in the regions. Meanwhile, the next administration plans to lower marginal tax rates on low and middle income earners, and increase taxes of the Read More …

A student reacts before a nurse administers the anti-dengue vaccine at Parang Elementary School in Marikina.© AFP PHOTO/NOEL CELIS MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Palace made an assurance on Saturday that it is strictly monitoring Zika virus in the country following reports of recent infections. In a radio interview Saturday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the Department of Health is on top of the situation. “Nakikita naman natin Lany na masigasig ang ating Department of Health sa pangunguna ni Secretary Janette Garin sa pagsubaybay at pagtutok sa lahat ng kaso. Kaya’t agad na na-detect at nai-report, na-quarantine, nagamot, na-identify kahit na nangibang-bansa na sila,” he told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. The DOH is also coordinating with other centers for disease prevention in other countries to fight the virus, he said. There is also a need to understand the nature of Zika virus. Like dengue fever, Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bite. If the public observe cleanliness, there will be no transmission of Zika virus or other diseases. “Kaya lahat ng ‘yan dapat ay pagtuunan natin ng pansin at handang-handa naman ang ating pamahalaan, maagap at masipag ang ating Department of Health at ang mga ahensya nito sa pagharap sa mga virus at sa iba pang mga banta sa ating kalusugan,” he said. Coloma also said the public must also support DOH especially after the launched of AIDS hour aimed at raising awareness about the disease. Part of the government initiative is disseminating information about HIV and AIDS to warn Read More …

National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA Logo) Washington, D.C. “Yesterday’s announcement from the Department of Homeland Security that family members of Filipino World War II veterans can now apply for parole visas and reunite with their parents here in the United States, is very heartening,” says NaFFAA National Chair JT Mallonga. “Our courageous heroes, who have waited for up to 20 years, deserve the opportunity to be with their children. They must not suffer the pain of separation in the twilight of their years.” Last year, President Obama used his executive authority by establishing a parole visa program to reunite Filipino WW11 veterans with their loved ones. Long visa backlogs, which have separated family members for decades, prompted the President to order an interagency task force to look into this matter. But what spurred his action was a report issued by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) calling on President Obama to grant parole for children of Filipino War World II veterans. The Department of Homeland Security, which will administer this program through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), finally issued policy guidelines spelling out in detail who is eligible to apply. DHS will start accepting applications in June. “We thank Sen. Mazie Hirono for pushing the Obama Administration to quickly implement this program and make children eligible for expedited consideration to come to the United States,” adds Mallonga. “We also appreciate the hard work of advocacy groups, like AAJC, the Filipino Veterans Equity Center (FVEC) and the Filipinos for Justice. Read More …