Maniolas

Vice President Jejomar Binay disclosed Thursday the reason he backed out from the mutiny led by then Navy officer, now senator, Antonio Trillanes IV against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2007. Binay said he decided not to join the protest action because the agenda of those pushing for it were not fully disclosed to them.  “Alam mo si Mr. Trillanes, napakasinungaling na tao n’yan. ‘Yon e hindi na ako sumama. Pero hindi lang ako, ha? Kami nila Bro. Mike ay hindi na sumama no’ng bandang huli kasi maraming agenda na hindi naman sinasabi ro’n sa mga sumasama,” he said in a radio interview. He did not elaborate who he meant by “Bro.Mike.” In November last year, when Binay backed out of his scheduled debate with Trillanes, the senator lashed out at the vice president describing him as a man who cannot keep his word. Trillanes said Binay, then mayor of Makati City, backed out at the last minute from participating in the protest action that led to the failed Manila Peninsula siege. He said Binay was with them when they were still planning the protest march.  The senator blamed Binay for not making good on his promises of gathering people, which led to the failure of their protest action and the senator’s continued detention. The vice president’s camp initially denied Trillanes’ claim. ‘Messianic complex’ Binay said Trillanes has a messianic complex or a belief that he can save the world or mankind. “Nu’ng nagkita kami n’yan no’ng Read More …

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was a no-show at the House transportation committee’s hearing Thursday on the fare increase for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). According to Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Abaya asked to be excused from attending the hearing because he is busy with preparations for the papal visit next week. “The secretary [is] very much involved in the preparations for the papal visit . Because of the meetings for this, he asked to be excused from the hearing,” he said. This did not sit well with Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who said Abaya should be present at the hearing to explain the DOTC’s bases for hiking fares. “Secretary Abaya has been all over the place in the media explaining the fare hike but he is not here to answer our questions,” he said. Colmenares said the timing of Abaya’s absence is suspect since meetings related to the preparations for the papal visit could have been done on another day. Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said Abaya’s presence was important because he was the signatory in the documents related to the MRT and LRT’s operations, such as the concession agreement the government signed with MRT Corporation, the private operator of the MRT-3. Aside from Lotilla, present at the hearing were Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, MRT-3 officer in charge Renato San Jose and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Honorito Chaneco.  Representatives of commuter groups opposed to the fare hike also attended the Read More …

Despite her failure to attend most of the Senate sessions and hearings due to her battle with lung cancer, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was able to file the most number of bills and resolutions among her colleagues. Santiago has filed a total of 1,007 bills and resolutions, as of December 17, the last session day of Congress in 2014. She was followed by Sens. Jinggoy Estrada with 604 bills and resolutions; Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with 307; Sen. Lito Lapid with 219; and Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito with 217. Estrada is facing plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam and detained at PNP Custodial Center since June 2014. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr. are also facing plunder raps and are likewise detained in Camp Crame. Amid the absence of some of its members, the Senate, since the 16th Congress convened in July 2013, was able to approve 44 proposed measures of national importance – of which 17 were signed into law in 2014 and four in 2013. In July 2014, Santiago announced that she has stage IV lung cancer. Through the help of oral chemotherapy or targeted treatment, she said in October that 90 percent of her cancer cells have already been killed as she expressed optimism to attend the Senate session. Even while on leave from the Senate, Santiago attended carefully chosen hearings of the Senate foreign relations committee and Commission on Appointments which she both heads such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement Read More …

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has sought a probe on the alleged special treatment of high-profile inmates and their illegal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). In Senate Resolution 1088 filed on January 5, 2015, the senator said he wanted to review the current correctional system that tolerated special treatment to inmates “with the end view of enacting remedial legislation that would prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.” “It is apparent that NBP personnel committed violations against their mandate when they allowed the entry of prohibited items and the construction of high-end ‘kubols’ inside the NBP as these did not just appear in an instant,” Trillanes said in a press statement Tuesday. He said the first step to reform the correctional system is to identify and hold accountable the NBP personnel and other involved government officials who are responsible for the proliferation of contraband items. On 15, 19, and 22 December 2014, surprise inspections were conducted in the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound, which houses convicted drug lords and notorious robbery gang leaders. The inspections revealed numerous activities and items inside the prison such as the apparent continuation of drug trade within the premises of NBP. High-end special detention area or ‘kubols’ which have extra-ordinary facilities such as jacuzzi, sauna, bath tub, music studio, generator, split-type air-conditioning units, Wi-Fi, long conference table, game console, private gym, bar and a kitchen were also found. Authorities also recovered diamond-studded Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier and Officine Panerai watches; a Louis Vuitton cash box; bottles Read More …

The City Government of Manila will close roads around the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis’ official residence during hist visit to the Philippines, GMA News’ “24 Oras” reported on Monday. The report said Taft Avenue will be closed from the intersection on Quirino Avenue to the intersection of on Dagohoy street. Leon Guinto Street will be closed as well. Only residents and their vehicles will be allowed to enter the road. “Yung mga nakatira dun na walang garahe…. lahat ‘yun ay kukunin ng MMDA at ng city government,” Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said. Moreno and some barangay officials on Monday discussed security measures for the visit of Pope Francis. He ordered strict monitoring of the communities near the Apostolic Nunciature. Manila has also given the Presidential Security Group and Pope Francis’ security personnel access to almost 200 closed-circuit television cameras in the city. —Kathryn Tubadeza/NB, GMA News