Maniolas

Wreath-laying ceremony during the 74th Bataan Day Commemoration held at the World War II Memorial, National Mall on 08 April 2016 WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2016  – “Our veterans have rendered a service that has no equal, and one which we can only hope to repay by living up to the promise of a free and peaceful and civilized nation”, Charge d’affaires and Minister Patrick Chuasoto said in his opening remarks during the reception and symposium held in commemoration of the 74th Araw Ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on 08 April 2016. The Philippines celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) every 9th day of April to commemorate the heroism of Filipino soldiers during the day in the Second World War in 1942 when the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese forces, leading to the eventual fall of Bataan and Death March. Lt. Celestino Almeda and Private Rodolfo Panaglima, two of the remaining Filipino WWII veterans, were present during the reception and symposium held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on 08 April 2016 Also present during the reception were two (2) of the remaining Filipino WWII veterans, Lt. Celestino Almeda and Private Rodolfo Panaglima. Mr. Panaglima, 86, was among the youngest members of Filipino guerillas who fought the Japanese forces while Mr. Almeda, 98, was a member of the underground guerilla units during the second world war. “This year’s theme, Isabuhay ang Kagitingan, Kapayapaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtin ang Mithiing Kaunlaran, reminds us how peace and progress Read More …

Candidates (l-r) Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Gringo Honasan, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Antonio Trillanes III pose for a group picture at the conclusion of the #PiliPinas2016 Vice Presidential Debates at the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – A political analyst was not surprised that Sen. Bongbong Marcos got a beating during the first televised vice-presidential debate. Ramon Casiple, Executive Director of the Institute for Election Reforms, said his impression of the debate was it focused on Marcos, but it was “worth it.” “The real issue at the vice-presidential level is Bongbong, not only because he’s leading, but because the issues being brought up—not only in the vice-presidential but also in the presidential—actually concern him.” Casiple underlined the historical connection between the present state of poverty, peace, order, and corruption to Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law. “There is a historical linkage between issues like poverty, peace and order, corruption. You mention those things, obligado kang pag-usapan ‘yun nangyari nung martial law,” he said. With Marcos leading the surveys, he added “the more important issue is the fitness of Bongbong for the position considering that background.” Casiple said Marcos’ solid base of loyalists are not likely to be swayed by the debate outcome. “You’re talking here of Marcos loyalists—that’s hard. You’re talking here of Ilocano vote—that’s a little bit hard. And you’re talking here of the part of the youth that had not been there during the martial law—this is the Read More …

Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo (left) urges her supporters to vote for Team Daang Matuwid during a rally held at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City on Friday (April 1, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – A former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner said the inclusion of the term “Daang Matuwid” in the names of Liberal Party (LP) bets Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo on the official ballot for the 2016 elections violates the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). Former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, who now serves as legal counsel of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said candidates can only use their nicknames and not other phrases and terms such as “Daang Matuwid,” the slogan of the administration. “The OEC says the use of government funds to directly or indirectly campaign for a candidate is prohibited so if there’s billboard that has the phrase or nickname ‘Daang Matuwid,’ that’s a violation of the OEC. That has to be taken down. If you see a billboard, a streamer or other material that has the phrase ‘Daang Matuwid,’ technically, that’s violation of the law and the person can be charged with an election offense,” he said. Larrazabal made the comment amid complaints and inquiries he received after the start of the overseas absentee voting (OAV). “At the start of the OAV a lot of people contacted me, asking about the ballot face. They were wondering why ‘Daang Matuwid’ was included in the name of some candidates and asked me if Read More …

Team Galing at Puso presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe greets supporters during an International Women’s Day celebration at Liwasang Bonifacio, Tuesday. Poe thanked her supporters and reacted to her critics after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of her presidential bid in the upcoming elections.(MNS photo) Grace Poe MANILA, Apr 12 (Mabuhay) — The camp of presidential aspirant Grace Poe strongly denied on Tuesday that she had met privately with President Benigno Aquino III supposedly to explore how they could “help each other” in the upcoming elections. Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said she continues to run as an independent candidate. “There is absolutely no truth to the reports that the President and Sen. Poe recently met privately,” Gatchalian said in a text message. “We must respect the fact that PNoy (Aquino’s nickname) has already made an endorsement this coming elections and though they remain friends, the good Senator is not that candidate,” he said. Aquino has endorsed the presidential bid of Liberal Party’s standard-bearer, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. While she was appointed by Aquino as chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2010, Poe decided to run against the President’s candidate in the upcoming May presidential race. “Senator Poe continues to run as an independent candidate. She will continue to forge forward with the message of Gobyernong may Puso. Gobyernong may Puso aims to pull out of poverty the more the 26 million Filipinos living in poverty,” Gatchalian said. “She firmly Read More …

Will Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao end his illustrious boxing career with a big bang or will he fall flat on his face in the canvas? We will know the answer this Saturday when Pacquiao and his one-time “conqueror”, Timothy Bradley, square off at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao gave assurances that he will try to end his career with a knockout win against Bradley. The boxer from Palm Springs, however, has never been stopped in all his fights since he became a professional boxer. Millions of Filipinos around the globe are expected to take time out from their usual busy schedules to watch Pacquiao, perhaps for the last time, showcase his boxing skills inside the ring for 12 rounds against Bradley. Pacquiao is expected to hang up his gloves after the fight with Bradley. This is Pacquiao’s 66th career fight since he turned pro in boxing. Out of 66 fights, Pacquiao won 57 times, 38 of them either by knockout or TKO. The boxer from the province of Sarangani has been known as an explosive fighter, capable of throwing dozens of punches in combinations from all angles. I have doubts regarding Pacquiao’s retirement announcement from boxing. I am sure that if he wins against Bradley either by knockout of TKO, he will fight again, maybe, two more before he finally hangs up his gloves for good. With all the money he has made throughout his boxing career, I see no reason for him to go back to the ring. Read More …