Maniolas

A Simba armored fighting vehicle bedecked with flowers and with soldiers and a military chaplain on board was among the features of the reenactment of the famous 1986 “Salubungan” in front of the Corinthian Gardens along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday (Feb. 25, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday morning lashed out at those saying the Marcos years were the “golden age” of the Philippines. “Napapailing na lang ako, dahil may nagsasabi raw na ang panahon ni Ginoong Marcos ang siyang ‘golden age’ ng Pilipinas. Siguro golden days para sa kanya—matapos masagad ang termino, gumawa siya ng paraan na kumapit sa kapangyarihan,” he said. “Golden age nga po siguro noon para sa mga crony ni Ginoong Marcos, at sa mga dikit sa kanya,” Aquino added. Aquino, only son of popular opposition leader Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino, said the government’s debt ballooned to P192.2 billion after Marcos’ term. He also cited several abuses committed by the Marcos regime against the Moro people, and the so-called brain drain during that period. “Sa nagsasabing hindi dapat sisihin si Ginoong Marcos sa mga pangyayari sa ilalim ng kanyang rehimen, ang tugon natin: Hindi ba kung sinamsam mo ang lahat ng kapangyarihan, dapat angkinin mo rin ang lahat ng responsibilidad?” he said. “Hayagan kong sinasabi ngayon, bilang bahagi ng henerasyong pinagdusa ng diktadurya: Hindi golden age Read More …

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community at the PAG-ASA Gymnasium in Barangay F.E, Marcos, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday expressed his frustration over the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which he said was deliberately derailed by opposition senators. In his speech during the 30th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the President recalled the excesses committed by former president Ferdinand Marcos to Muslim Filipinos during Martial Law. He said Marcos and his minions seized lands and tolerated those who committed abuses. “Imbes na katarungan ang gawing tugon, o gumawa ng batas para isaayos ang sitwasyon, Philippine Constabulary at Sandatahang Lakas ang itinulak na solusyon,” he said. With regards to the Mindanao peace process, the Chief Executive said the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have come up with the Framework Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and have worked hard to pass the BBlL. The President said it is regrettable that the BBL, which is expected to bring lasting peace to the region, has not been passed by Congress. “Nanghihinayang ako, dahil ang tanging batas na maghahatid ng katarungan at kapayapaan, sadya pa po talagang hinarang,” he said. “At di po ba: Ang BBL, naipit sa Senado sa kumite para sa lokal na gobyerno, na pinamumunuan ni Senador (Bongbong) Marcos? Di ba nung pinakahuling Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during United Nationalist Alliance proclamation rally in Mandaluyong on Tuesday. The 90-day campaign period for the May 2016 election officially started Tuesday, with candidates organizing their respective campaign sorties around the country.(MNS photo) TIAONG, Quezon  (Mabuhay) – Instead of joining the 30th anniversary of People Power Revolution on EDSA, Vice President Jejomar Binay, his running mate Sen. Gringo Honasan, and their senatorial slate decided to woo  vote-rich Quezon province. In his speech during the campaign sortie here, Honasan said they thought it would be better to be with the people than attend the EDSA program where most of the attendees did not even join the historic People Power happened in 1986. “Imbes na makipagsiksikan sa karamihan na wala naman doon noong People Power Revolution ay pinili namin na makapiling kayo,” he said. Binay, for his part, said he and Honasan are in the same camp not only today but especially during the EDSA revolution. “Hindi lang kami ngayon nagsama ni Sen. Honasan. Ang maipagmamalaki po namin, sa lahat ng kandidatong presidente at vice president ngayon [ay] kami ay tahasang alam niyo naman na magkasama sa EDSA,” he said. “Ang ipinaglaban namin ay dapat tapusin na ang kahirapan dahil sumasama ang pamumuno noong panahong iyon,” Binay added. Quezon Governor David Suarez said the province is 110 percent behind the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) slate. “Doon tayo sa pinahahalagahan tayo. Hindi ‘yung darating dito na hindi man lang ako inimbitahan. Quezon is 110 percent behind Read More …

James Reid and Nadine Lustre (MNS photo) A blushing Nadine Lustre could not stop smiling after her onscreen partner James Reid admitted that they are now officially a couple. Reid made the announcement during a backstage interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe after their Araneta Coliseum concert, which he ended by saying “I love you” to Lustre for the entire audience to hear. “I’m still shaking. Ninenerbyos pa rin ako sa announcement niya,” said Lustre. “I didn’t expect him to tell that to everyone. It’s Araneta and it’s on pay-per-view so parang halos buong mundo ang nakatutok, all the OTWOListas, all the Jadines.” According to Reid, he told Lustre he loves her because “it is what it is, that’s how I feel about her.” As if there was only just the two of them, Lustre intervened and told Reid: “I love you too.” The actor said he was mulling to publicly admit their relationship for a while now but last night “felt like the right time.” “Actually no one knew I was going to do that tonight. I didn’t want any pressure from anyone. I wanted it to be my own decision. Actually Boss Vic, Boss Veronique, direk, I just said, ‘Turn off the music’ but he didn’t know what I was going to say. As in no one,” Reid said. Asked what he loves about Lustre the most, he said: “She was my best friend before anything else. I can be my 100% silly, weird James that I am Read More …

Commission on Elections Chairman Andy Bautista (left) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Emerson Carlos (right) inspect confiscated campaign materials in Santolan, Quezon City on Friday. The Comelec encouraged citizens to submit photos of candidates who use unlawful campaign materials.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – EcoWaste Coalition on Monday warned against the public health risks of plastic tarpaulins used by politicians in the campaign for the May elections. It said the plastic tarpaulins contain carcinogenic cadmium. “Plastic tarpaulins have become extremely popular for all types of advertising and promotion. The use of tarps by politicians running for the May polls is a case in point,” Aileen Lucero, EcoWaste Coalition coordinator said. She continued, “The problem goes beyond the huge volume of tarps hanging on unauthorized places like bridges, cables, lamp posts and trees that have to be laboriously removed by MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) or DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) workers.” Aside from being a carcinogenic, cadmium also accumulates in the kidneys, which can lead to the formation of kidney stones. It also affects calcium metabolism, softening the bones and causing osteoporosis. Lucero said their group screened 300 pieces of campaign tarpaulins from the MMDA’s “Operation Baklas” tested positive for the chemical. “All of the 300 tarps were found to contain cadmium in the range of  697 to 1,921 parts per million (ppm), way above the European Union’s 100 ppm limit for cadmium in plastics,” according to EcoWaste. The MMDA had said that it collects an average Read More …