Maniolas

All documents lead to Vice President Jejomar Binay as the owner of the 350-hectare property in Batangas, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Tuesday, a day before the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee resumes its hearing on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. Cayetano said he will debunk on Wednesday’s hearing businessman Antonio Tiu’s claim that he and not Binay owns the sprawling estate in Rosario town, which is said to be part of the Binay family’s hidden wealth. “Kung sinabi niyang P440 million ang bili niya, nasaan ang dokumento? Kailan pumasok? Nasaan ang katunayan nito? We’ve looked over the documents and so far there is no proof na yung sinasabi niya ay totoo,” Cayetano told reporters, referring to Tiu. “He has a lot of explaining to do.” Cayetano said that based on his own research, Binay and his family own the property. “I welcome being proven wrong kasi ang hinahanap naman natin dito hindi durugin ang isang tao pero malaman ang  buong katotohanan. Walang papel na mate-trace na kay Mr. Tiu ito. Pero lahat ng ebidenisya so far shows na sa mga Binay ito,” he said. Cayetano said among the evidence would be pictures of people who have visited the so-called Binay farm over the decade. Dummy firms He also said they have documents on the alleged dummy corporations of Binay, who is facing plunder in connection with the Makati City Hall Building II controversy. “Kung maipapakita na ito ay lehitimong kumpanya at hindi ito dummy corporation Read More …

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday allowed former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to travel to Hong Kong and Japan. In his motion to travel submitted earlier this month, Arroyo said he will be in Japan from October 25 to October 30 and stay at the Imperial Hotel. Meanwhile, from October 30 up to November 2, he will be in Hong Kong, where he will be staying at the Marco Polo Gateway. Arroyo did not specify a reason for his request, merely stating that even if he is being tried, he still has the right to travel. Arroyo, the husband of former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is facing graft charges over the alleged overpricing of second-hand helicopters sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP). — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News

The US Embassy will leave it to Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton whether to appear before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office for his preliminary investigation over the killing of transgender woman Jennifer Laude. In a statement, the embassy said the US continues to fully cooperate and collaborate with Philippine authorities in all aspects of the case. “Whether the suspect will appear on Tuesday is a decision that he will make in consultation with his Philippine legal counsel, in accordance with Philippine law. We refer you to his counsel for details,” it said. On the other hand, it said the witnesses will not appear on Tuesday, “as they have already met their current legal obligations.” The embassy added, however, that in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement, the witnesses will be made available for the trial. The embassy said city prosecutors met last week with four witnesses and swore them to their statements in accordance with Philippine law. It said this satisfied the requirements of the City Prosecutor and the “make available” language of the US– Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement.  — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

UP students denounce VFA, EDCA. UP activists rally in front of Palma Hall at UP Diliman on Friday, October 17, to denounce the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US. They are also calling for justice for Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey Laude, who was allegedly killed by a US serviceman in Olongapo City. GMA News Malacañang on Saturday reminded Harry Roque, the lawyer of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude’s family, to keep the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) separate from the case he is handling.  “The issue on VFA and calls for its review should be discussed on a different level,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Saturday said, when asked to react to Roque’s opposition to he VFA. Roque had asked the Supreme Court to compel the government to renegotiate the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) it entered with the United States. The Supreme Court dismissed his petition. “The issue for Jennifer should be treated separately,” Valte said. Laude was found dead inside a motel in Olongapo City last Saturday, Oct.11. A murder complaint has been filed against US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton. He is reportedly aboard USS Peleliu, which has been barred from leaving the Philippines while the investigation into Laude’s death is ongoing. After the incident, some personalities and groups, including Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Francis Escudero, renewed their call to review the treaty. Santiago said the alleged involvement of a Read More …

Freed German nationals arrive in Manila. Following their release Friday night, two German nationals abducted by the Abu Sayyaf were brought to Metro Manila early Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. They arrived at Villamor Air Base at 6:45 a.m., according to AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. Armed Forces of the Philippines Malacañang on Saturday said President Benigno Aquino III is concerned over the health of the two freed German hostages who had been held by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu since April. In a press briefing on Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the President was happy over the release of the two Germans on Friday, he also expressed concern over their physical condition. Asked if the two hostages will pay a courtesy call on Aquino in Malacañang, Valte just said she has no information about it yet, adding that their main concern is for the victims to receive medical attention. “Now we understand the first concern for them is to receive medical attention and I’m sure they would want to get in touch with their families,” she noted. Stefan Victor Okonek, 71,  and  Herike Diesen, 55, were taken by the bandits while on board their yacht in waters between Palawan and Sabah in April. After their release on Friday night, they were flown to Metro Manila early Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said. AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the Germans arrived at Villamor Air Base Read More …