Weekend Balita

De Lima orders Immigration officers to be on lookout for 3 ‘rescued’ Chinese drug suspects

Mar 032013

President Benigno S. Aquino III asks Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu to withdraw his supporters in Sabah to end the standoff peacefully during the Press Briefing at the New Executive Building, Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 26). In photo is Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday directed Immigration officials to be on the lookout for the three Chinese drug suspects who were apparently rescued by armed men while on their way to a court hearing in Cavite last week. Still unaccounted for are Li Lan Yan alias Jackson Dy, his wife Wang Li na, and Li Tian Hua. All three were “rescued” by around 20 armed people in Trece Martires, Cavite on February 20. “[You are] directed to instruct all Immigration officers to be on the lookout/alert for the above-named individuals should any of them pass through immigration counters in any of our international airports and/or seaports, and to detain and turn them over to the proper authorities,” De Lima said in her lookout bulletin order. At the same time, De Lima instructed Immigration officials to coordinate with police in gathering additional information on the drug suspects, including their full names, aliases, dates of birth, places of birth, copies of their passports or any travel documents, and their latest known pictures. The Justice chief said Immigration officers should also coordinate with other offices and agencies, including airlines, to immediately detect if the Chinese nationals are trying to leave the Read More …

PH to royal army: Leave Sabah, then we’ll talk

Entertainment

Mar 012013

PH to royal army: Leave Sabah, then we’ll talk

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to Liberal Party (LP) members and supporters from the Province of Misamis Oriental after attending the Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex in Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday (February 26). (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 27 (Mabuhay) -– The Philippine government will not hold talks on the Sabah issue unless the Sultanate of Sulu recalls its followers who have been holed up in Sabah for two weeks already, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said on Wednesday. Hernandez appealed anew to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to order his followers to leave Sabah and go back to Mindanao. “We believe that the ball is now in Kiram’s court and they should be concerned for the well-being and safety of the followers in Lahad Datu. As a responsible leader, we expect Sultan Kiram to now order his men to leave the area,” Hernandez said. “The Kirams are inviting a harsh reaction from the Malaysian side. In order to settle this peacefully and expeditiously, the followers of the sultanate should leave the area as soon as possible.” The situation in Sabah remains deadlocked, with both the Philippine government and the Sultanate of Sulu insisting on their conditions. The sultanate, citing numerous historical accounts and rental receipts from the Malaysian government, said the Sultanate of Sulu is the rightful owner of the land. The followers in Sabah, led by crown prince Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, said Read More …

Ruffa Gutierrez clarifies rumored ABS-CBN comeback

Entertainment

Feb 282013

Ruffa Gutierrez clarifies rumored ABS-CBN comeback

Ruffa Gutierrez (MNS Photo) MANILA, Feb 28 (Mabuhay) — No deal has been signed. Addressing her rumored return as a Kapamilya, Ruffa Gutierrez said her contract with TV5 is still up for re-negotiation when it expires in March. The 38-year-old actress-host, who was with ABS-CBN for three years before transferring to the No. 3 network in 2010, said any speculation as to her home network going forward is premature. “I don’t know yet. My contract is [with TV5] is up soon, so we have to re-negotiate, and everything is still very premature to talk about now. So once I know the plans, I’ll definitely let you know,” she said. “For me, mahirap magsalita ng ganoon o ng kung ano, kasi baka maudlot kung may negotiation na dapat pinag-uusapan,” she said. In the meantime, Gutierrez said she is gearing up for a new film project, on top of supporting her mom, talent manager Annabelle Rama, in her campaign leading up to the May mid-term elections. Rama is running for a seat in Congress under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), to represent the first district of Cebu. “Aside from my mom’s campaign, I’m about to start a new project. I have a movie script that I’m reading. ‘Yun and then there are two other projects that I’m working on. I’m very excited about 2013,” Gutierrez said. (MNS)

President Aquino welcomes top officials of leading management consulting and business process outsourcing company

Entertainment

Feb 282013

President Aquino welcomes top officials of leading management consulting and business process outsourcing company

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Accenture chairman and chief executive officer Pierre Nanterme during a courtesy call at the Music Room, Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 28). Accenture is a US$27.9 billion global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 259,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Also in photo is Accenture chief operating officer Jo Deblaereo and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 28 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed global outsourcing company officials who expressed confidence in the local market in Malacanang on Thursday. Accenture Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Nanterme paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive at the Music Room of Malacanang Palace. He was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer Jo Deblaere and Country Managing Director Manolito Tayag. Also in attendance was Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo. Nanterme reinforced Accenture’s confidence in the the local market and the world-class capabilities of Accenture’ Philippine workforce who provide innovative information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions and services to top global clients. Accenture Philippines is the country’s leading management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 30,000 employees working in 16 facilities in its Manila and Cebu delivery centers. The Accenture Philippines works with an international client base in Europe, Asia and North America. It plays a strategic role in Accenture’s ASEAN growth strategy. The officials reaffirmed their commitment to partner with government in its advocacy to provide more jobs and Read More …

Rocco Nacino, Lovi Poe ‘just good friends’

Entertainment

Feb 282013

Rocco Nacino, Lovi Poe ‘just good friends’

Rocco Nacino (MNS Photo) Lovi Poe (MNS Photo) GMA 7 talent Rocco Nacino has insisted that he is just friends with actress Lovi Poe. The two actors have worked together in the afternoon series “Yesterday’s Bride.” Rocco admitted that he and Lovi are close to each other but remain as “really good friends.” “Gumanda yung friendship namin and I’m really happy with that. We’re good friends. Really good friends,” he said in a TV interview. Rocco said he can’t put label to his relationship with actress but stressed that Lovi is the closest woman in her life now. “I don’t know what kind of friendship, but it’s a very happy friendship. Na habang tumagal lumalin pa, at sana mas lumalim pa,” he said. The actor said he wants to devote his time in his career in show biz. Lovi, for her part, admitted that Rocco is the closest guy to her at the moment. She said he admires the actor and treasures their friendship. “We’re really good friends. I think it’s best to keep it that way first. Of course we don’t know what is going to happen with me or him, but magkaibigan talaga,” she ended. (MNS)

Drilon denies backing LP slate to reclaim Senate presidency

Entertainment

Feb 282013

Drilon denies backing LP slate to reclaim Senate presidency

Participants wear colorful nature-inspired costumes during a parade for the Caracol festival in Makati city, metro Manila February 24, 2013. The annual Caracol festival, the “Mardi Gras of Makati”, is held as a tribute to mother nature. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 25 (Mabuhay) – Senator Franklin Drilon denied on Monday that he is earnestly seeking the election of all Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidates so that he can reclaim the Senate presidency. “I will not dignify those statements because I am not a candidate [but] they are barking up the wrong tree,” Drilon said in a statement. He issued the statement after United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) secretary general and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the 12-0 aim of LP is not for President Benigno Aquino III but for Drilon, who had served as Senate president from 2001 to 2006. “The cat is finally out of the bag. Now we know that the motivation is pure lust for power, and not selfless support for the President,” Tiangco said in a statement over the weekend. “We also know why Senate President [Juan Ponce] Enrile is being targeted by the LP and their operators. It is in the service of Drilon’s ambition to reclaim the Senate presidency which he held during the Arroyo administration,” he added. When the 16th Congress opens sessions in late June, Enrile will no longer be the Senate chief since his term would have expired by then. In January, Enrile offered to vacate his post, only to be retained Read More …

DND-OPA – MV – Bayanihan Para sa Kapayapaan

Entertainment

Feb 282013

DND-OPA – MV – Bayanihan Para sa Kapayapaan(screenshot courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y1qYSSb0tA) Music Video on the on-going peace and development in the countryside program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, produced and developed by the Philippine Army Public Affairs Office. Popular young singer-actress Sarah Geronimo lends her persona and services pro bono as part of her “bayanihan” in the nation’s aspiration for peace and stability. Music and lyrics by LtJg Lady Chatterly Alvaro Sumbeling PN. Launched and released on November 28, 2012 at the Headquarters Philippine Army.

Purchases of capital, consumer goods push PHL imports growth in December 2012

Entertainment

Feb 282013

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) logo Growth in payments for capital goods, consumer goods, raw materials, and intermediate goods propelled Philippine merchandise imports to a 13.2-percent year-on-year increase in December 2012, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “The improvement in imports performance during the period represents a rebound in the value of imports from a 6.4 percent contraction a year ago and partly reflects the favorable sentiments of both businesses and consumers,” said Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan. The country’s merchandise imports amounted to $4.6 billion in December 2012, up from the $4.6 billion during the same month in 2011. Imported capital goods rose by 40.2 percent to $1.8 billion from $1.3 billion from a year ago due to higher payments for aircrafts, ships, and boats (564.7%), telecommunications equipment and electrical machineries (10.0%), and power generating and specialized machines (15.9%). The increase in imports of aircrafts, ships, and boats is partly attributed to aircraft purchases of Cebu Pacific. Also, consumer goods grew by 38.2 percent to $688.3 million in December 2012 from $497.9 million from the same month in 2011. This was due to higher payments for both durable (50.4%) and non-durable (28.1%) consumer products. “The higher receipts from imported consumer goods were due in part to the more favorable sentiments of consumers, specifically towards durable items,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. Imports of raw materials and intermediate goods, meanwhile, also increased by 6.1 percent as values of both imported unprocessed raw Read More …

President Aquino appeals to Sultan of Sulu to recall followers and end Sabah Standoff

Entertainment

Feb 272013

President Aquino appeals to Sultan of Sulu to recall followers and end Sabah Standoff

(Map coutesy of www.sabah.edu.my) President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu to recall his followers holed up in a portion of Lahad Datu town in the eastern province of Sabah, Malaysia in order to peacefully end the two-week standoff between Malaysian authorities and the Sulu Sultan who has been pressing his people’s claim to said land. The President aired his appeal in a press conference with the Malacanang Press Corps that was aired over government-run television and radio stations People’s Television (PTV-4) and dzRB Radyoo ng Bayan on Tuesday. “And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them. It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims,” the President said. “You are a leader of your clan, and every leader seeks the well-being of his constituents. These times require you to use your influence to prevail on our countrymen to desist from this hopeless cause,” he added. According to the President, Philippine and Malaysian authorities have been coordinating efforts to peacefully resolve the situation…and have not ceased.” “What is clear is that a peaceful resolution of this issue is to everybody’s interest. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that there are legitimate grievances, the presence of an armed group in Lahad Datu will only bring us further away Read More …

Aquino inspects Laguindingan Airport project, expects new facility to boost tourism

Entertainment

Feb 272013

Aquino inspects Laguindingan Airport project, expects new facility to boost tourism

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Logo LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental: President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Tuesday the ongoing construction of the Laguindingan Airport that is expected to boost tourism in the Northern Mindanao region once it becomes operational. Transportation officials told the President in a briefing that the P7.8 billion airport project will be operational on April 30 this year. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is currently in the process of approving the first flight that will land in the new airport by April, they said. The Laguindingan Airport can accommodate large aircrafts such as the Airbus A330-300, transportation officials said adding that the airport’s runway could be expanded to accommodate even bigger airplanes like the Boeing 747. The new facility, with two boarding bridges and five aircraft parking bays, can cater up to 1.6 million passengers each year, officials said. The project started in 1988 during the leadership of the first Aquino administration but hasn’t materialized until the present administration of President Aquino, 25 years after it was conceptualized. In his speech during a meeting with Cagayan de Oro officials, the President said the new airport will serve tourists who want to visit the island of Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City or Iligan City. With the new airport, Cagayan de Oro will surpass the 460,000 tourist arrivals in 2011 and will reach the 2.5 million foreign and domestic tourist arrivals before the end of 2016, he said. Aside from building the new airport, Read More …

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