Maniolas

Two days after Philippine and Vietnamese navy personnel drank beer and played volleyball together on disputed territory in the South China Sea—a display of unity that China has labeled a “farce”—the two countries are teaming up again for more “goodwill games,” with the Philippines hosting this time. “The agreement to have the Philippines as venue of the next goodwill games with Vietnam is already a commitment. And we do not intend to renege on such hosting,” Philippine Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo told reporters Tuesday. “If the end is to maintain good relations and amity with a neighboring nation; and sports is one of the means to attain it, then the Navy will have to pursue it,” Arevalo, who also heads the Navy Civil Military Operations Group, added. Arevalo also said that other nations, including China, are free to join the friendly games, which will be held early next year. “Yung ating friendly relations with other forces of other nations have already been ongoing, through subject matter exchanges, joint trainings…promoting sports is another avenue…it’s their option, they can signify intent [to join],” Arevalo said. China declines However, Arevalo added, China has already sent a signal that it has no intention of joining any friendly undertakings with other countries that have claims in the South China Sea. “This early nag-signify na sila. It looks like ayon sa kanila e ayaw nila,” Arevalo said. On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying described as a “clumsy farce” the friendly gathering between Philippines Read More …

The alleged sex videos of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will not be considered during the Cabinet offiicial’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Tuesday. Pimentel, Commission on Appointments (CA) justice committee chairman, said in an interview that the supposed sex videos are “immaterial” to De Lima’s confirmation. “Hindi ako papatol sa tsismis, lalo na kung alleged lang yan. Alam mo, you have to authenticate, so hindi na po tayo papasok sa ganyan,” Pimentel told reporters. He added that the alleged sex videos already will not affect De Lima’s confirmation, since the Cabinet official already has the support of majority of the CA panel’s members. “The House delegation votes as a block, and most likely they will vote for the confirmation, plus one more, that makes a majority… Totoo o hindi totoo, wala na pong bearing iyan,” Pimentel said. Whistleblower Sandra Cam was earlier quoted in media reports as saying that she received four cuts of De Lima’s supposed sex videos with her driver and bodyguard. Last week, Cam attempted to block De Lima’s confirmation citing various issues involving the justice chief, including incompetence and supposed “illicit affairs.”  De Lima, however, refused to answer questions on her personal life during her confirmation hearing.    Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte earlier asked Cam not to use the CA as a venue for “whatever ax it is you have to personally grind” against De Lima. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News

Major General Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr. has been appointed the new commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement Sunday. According to the AFP, Trinidad will formally assume the position on Monday in a change-of-command ceremony in Camp Aquino, Tarlac City. He will replace Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., who was appointed AFP Vice Chief of Staff last month. A member of the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Class of 1982, Trinidad commanded the 1st Infantry Division, the Army’s primary anti-guerilla unit based in Camp Sang-an, Zamboanga Del Sur. He was the overall ground commander of AFP and police units during the attack on Zamboanga City by allegedly rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last year. On December 20, 2013, during the celebration of the AFP’s Anniversary Day, Trinidad received the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander) in recognition of his efforts during the attack on the city. — BM, GMA News

More than 500 farmers from Quezon, Negros Occidental and Batangas trooped to the Department of Agrarian Reform Saturday after a five-day-long march to demand the fulfillment of President Benigno Aquino III’s promise to distribute lands before the agrarian reform program expires on June 30. Alberto Jayme, chairman of the farmers’ group Task Force Mapalad, said he and other agrarian reform beneficiaries have been waiting long enough for the government to give them their rightful share of agricultural land. “Kahit mahirap [ang pagmamartsa], tinitiis namin para singilin sa kanyang pangako ang ating Pangulo,” he said in a “Balitanghali” report aired Sunday. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), enacted in 1988, was tagged as the “centerpiece program” of Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. Its implementation was extended in 2009 for another five years under Republic Act No. 9700 or CARP extension with reforms (CARPER). Elvira Maglinti, a farmer in her 70s, said she continues to fight for agrarian reform despite her old age for the sake of her family. “Sinisikap ko ang paglaban para sa aking mga anak at apo,” she said. At the DAR’s office in Quezon City, the farmers were met by farmers’ groups from Mindanao, which separately staged their own protest. On Monday, the groups plan to hold a dialogue with DAR officials regarding the status of the government’s land distribution plans. Pass GARB, not CARP extension In a statement, Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon called on Congress to pass the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) instead Read More …