Maniolas

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile had a brief reunion of sorts Sunday afternoon after former President Fidel  Ramos paid him a visit. Ramos visited Enrile at the Philippine National Police General Hospital, GMA News’ Rida Reyes reported. The two had joined forces in 1986 to oust then President Ferdinand Marcos and install Corazon Aquino – incumbent President Benigno Aquino III’s mother – into office. In a report on GMA News TV’s “News TV Live”  Ramos said they talked about the senator’s condition. “He is not especially joyous… his room is small and can accommodate only two visitors… but he is okay. Sabi niya, ‘lilipas din ito’,” Ramos said referring to Enrile’s disposition.  Earlier Sunday, Enrile was brought to a Makati City clinic anew for a post-operative eye checkup. On Saturday, Enrile underwent a procedure to address macular degeneration, which could lead to blindness if not treated. The 90-year-old senator had been detained at the PNP General Hospital since Friday after surrendering there. He faces graft and plunder charges over the P10-billion pork barrel scam. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

Typhoon Florita (Neoguri) intensified further as it moved closer to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan before noon Sunday, state weather agency PAGASA said. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Florita was estimated at 990 km east of Tuguegarao City as of 10 a.m. Florita packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, and is forecast to move west-northwest at 24 kph. However, no storm signals have been raised in any part of the country so far. PAGASA said Florita is projected to be 530 km east of Basco, Batanes Monday morning. By Tuesday morning, it is expected to be 530 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Florita will enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate rains and thunderstorms over Bicol, MIMAROPA and Visayas. The rest of Luzon will have occasional rains. “Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Luzon and of Visayas,” PAGASA said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

Malaysia has asked the Philippines to help it track down at least five militants with ties to the Abu Sayyaf bandit group who are believed hiding in Mindanao. A report on Malaysia’s The Star Online on Sunday said the five militants are believed to have ties with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) as well. It cited intelligence sources who said the militants could be hiding out with the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo. It added they may be associated with the Daulah Islamiyah Asia Tenggara (South-East Asia Islamiyah Network), which has links to Isil. Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Saturday was quoted in the report as saying Malaysia was working closely with the Philippine government in the hunt for the militants. He said the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division is now working with its Philippine counterparts. “We are coordinating our intelligence with the Philippines counter-terrorism unit and Interpol,” he told The Star Online. Ahmad Zahid said the Special Branch’s priority was to get the terrorists directly involved in recruiting and sending Malaysians to fight in Syria and Iraq. “Those carrying out kidnappings in Sabah are also in our radar. Security is also being tightened at all major entry points in the country to prevent terrorists or pirates from entering our borders,” he added. BIFF ties? The report also noted the five could also be enjoying protection from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Read More …

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday said he supported the Office of the Ombudsman’ motion to have Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada suspended from the Senate over plunder charges filed against them before the Sandiganbayan. In an interview aired on GMA 7’s “24 Oras”, Trillanes reasoned that the law must always be upheld. Section Five of Republic Act 7080, or the AntI-Plunder Law, says that any public officers charged with plunder “shall be suspended from office. (And) Should he be convicted by final judgment, he shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law.” Trillanes also said that Revilla and Estrada’s possible suspension would have no effect on the Senate’s proceedings. “We still have a quorum. We can still pass treaties, so, hindi ito makakaapekto,” he explained. On Monday, the Ombudsman filed two separate motions before the Sandiganayan First Division and Fifth Division to have both Revilla and Estrada suspended for 90 days. If the motions are granted, both senators would be barred from filing bills, or from hearing any filed bills. Revilla is the current chairman of two Senate committees  – the committee on public services and the congressional oversight committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Estrada meanwhile is the chairman of the committee on labor, employment and human resources development and the congressional oversight committee on labor and employment. Both senators are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame. Sandiganbayan’s decision Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said Read More …

Manila police release CCTV footage of hazing victim. CCTV footage provided to the Manila Police District by the One Archers Place condominium along Taft Avenue in Manila on Monday, June 30, shows alleged members of a fraternity dragging the body of hazing victim Guillo Servando, a student of DLSU-College of St. Benilde, out of a room on June 28. Servando was declared dead on arrival at a hospital from traumatic injuries. Danny Pata Experts believe that Guilo Servando could’ve survived his hazing if his emergency situation was reported to the authorities more quickly. “Pwedeng mabuhay yung taong ‘yun eh, kung ‘di nagdalawang isip na tumawag sa ‘min. Pwedeng segundo diyan importante ang isang buhay, pwede nating masalba,” Jesse Laurel, Patrol 117 Technical Supervisor, told GMA News’ “24 Oras” Tuesday. Servando, the latest in hazing-related deaths, was found unconscious at the 29th floor of One Archers Place on Taft Avenue last weekend. Bruises found on his legs and back by the Manila Police District’s homicide division bolstered suspicions that he was a victim of hazing.  According to the “24 Oras” report, the damage inflicted to the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s student released an excessive amount myoglobin into his bloodstream.  Myoglobin is a protein which the US National Library of Medicine reported can damage kidney cells, leading to acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis.  Dr. Butch Beringuela, a surgeon, said: “Naaipon yung mga toxin sa katawan, hindi na na-fi-filter ng kidney, after the kidney injury, nagkakaroon ng kidney failure.” Read More …