Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a memento from PSG Commander Rear Admiral Raul Ubando, during the 30th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group at the PSG Grandstand, Malacañang Park in Manila City on Tuesday (March 01). The PSG is the lead agency tasked in providing security to the President of the Philippines and the First Family, as well as to visiting Heads of States and diplomats. (MNS photo) TAGBILARAN CITY  (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III reiterated the position of the Philippines as regards to the territories in the South China Sea, parts of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, saying the disputed areas have long been ours. Aquino made the statement during a campaign sortie here of the Liberal Party (LP)-led Daang Matuwid coalition Wednesday, wherein he criticized the proposals of presidentiables in dealing with the sea dispute. “Mali rin ho siguro sa kanya na ako pinagtatanggol ko ang karapatan natin laban sa mga ibang bansa lalo na diyan sa West Philippine Sea. Sila naman kakausapin nila ‘yung ating mga katunggali,” said Aquino. “Sabi ko: ‘Aba ang tagal ko naman na silang kinakausap e.’ Ang problema ko lang kapag kinausap ko sila nag-uumpisa kaagad na: ‘O lahat ito amin.’ E ano ho ang negosasyon natin kung iyon ang pananaw nila? ‘Lahat ito amin, kaya huwag kayong pumasok dito.’ Ika ko eh, ‘Pagkatagal-tagal na amin po ito e,’” Aquino added. Aquino made the statement amid reports that China has seized a Philippine atoll near Palawan Read More …

Congressman Pacquiao has “Bigger dreams for our people” while in ALABEL, Sarangani (October 7, 2015) – “In the coming days, I will be embracing new levels of responsibility,” says Manny Pacquiao, “I will be confronting tougher challenges. Yes, I will be dreaming bigger dreams for our people and for our nation.” This statement stirs the crowd to applaud lone district Congressman Manny Pacquiao in his State of the District Address at the Capitol gym Monday, October 5. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) Manila, Philippines | AFP   – Boxing great Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday it would be an honour to fight for the Philippines at this year’s Rio Olympics, where professional fighters could be allowed to compete for the first time. The eight-time world champion said he had been “personally invited” to the Rio de Janeiro Games by Wu Ching-Kuo, president of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) — the governing body for amateur boxing. “It would be my honour to represent the country in the Olympics,” Pacquiao said in a statement to AFP. “If I would be asked to represent boxing, why not? I would do everything for my country.” The 37-year-old, one of the world’s wealthiest boxers, made the comments while training for what he said would be his last professional fight, an April 9 Las Vegas rematch with American Timothy Bradley. Wu told AFP in Switzerland on Monday that AIBA would vote within three months on proposals that would allow all professional fighters to compete in the Olympic Games, including Read More …

Laban pa rin! (from left: PALM President Mitzi Pickard, Jon Melegrito, Maurese Oteyza Owens and Richard Villa Mercado are the main speakers at the Embassy Talakayan to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of People Power Revolution on 29 February 2016. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Filipino community in the Metro DC area swapped stories and insights into the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution in a Talakayan held on 29 February 2016 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy. The Talakayan was jointly organized by the Embassy and the Philippine Arts, Letters and Media Council (PALM) to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of People Power. “The first peaceful uprising in history, EDSA not only restored democracy and supremacy of civilian authority in the Philippines, but also laid out for the world to see the best of the Filipino – courageous, peace-loving, and compassionate,” said Philippine Ambassador to the Philippines Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in his keynote address. Consistent with this year’s anniversary theme, “Pagbabago: Ipinaglaban N’yo, Itutuloy Ko,” Ambassador Cuisia made a call to action for the protection of People Power’s legacy. “To honor the memories of those who fought for the restoration of Philippine democracy, we are duty-bound to ensure that the lessons of the Revolution are well-learned and never forgotten,” the Ambassador stressed. He highlighted the need to engage the younger generations of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in order to keep the spirit of EDSA alive. Memories of a peaceful revolution (Photo courtesy of Dr. Annabelle Carnice and her husband, Jonathan) “It is therefore my fervent Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III pays respect during the transfer and reinterment of the remains of the late President Elpidio R. Quirino at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (February 29). In photo are Former president Fidel Ramos, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has convicted three former officials of the Department of Finance (DOF) for graft and estafa for their involvement in the P5.3-billion tax credit scam in the 1990s. The anti-graft court promulgated a 60-page ruling on the matter February 29 and was released to the media on Tuesday. In the ruling, the Fifth Division found former DOF Executive Director Uldarico Andutan Jr., former Deputy Executive Director Raul De Vera and former Senior Tax Specialist Rosanna Diala “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and estafa as defined under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Also convicted of the same offenses were private individuals Mukesh Uttamchandani and Olivia Demetrio, owner and manager, respectively, of the company Precision Garments International (PGI). The accused were sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment for graft. They were also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. For estafa the accused Read More …

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III raises the hands of LP Presidential Candidate former DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and LP Vice Presidential Candidate Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo during the Meeting with Local Leaders and the Community at the PAG-ASA Gymnasium in Barangay F.E, Marcos, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (February 24, 2016).(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – “Dagdag pa more for ‘Daang Matuwid’!” (More increase for “Daang Matuwid” (“Straight Path”)!) Administration presidential bet Mar Roxas and running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Tuesday requested the residents of Parañaque City to help improve their preference survey ratings ahead of the upcoming national elections in May. “Dati four percent kami. Ngayon ay 20 percent. Pakiusap namin sa inyo, dagdag pa more!” Roxas asked some 4,000 supporters, who were all wearing yellow, at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Parañaque City. (Before, we got four percent. Now, we have 20 percent. We request you to further increase (our preference survey ratings)!) Acknowledging his lackluster performance in the poll surveys, Roxas said he and Robredo wouldn’t be able to continue the reforms of the “Daang Matuwid” with only a 20-percent standing. “Dahil kung 20 percent lang kami ni Leni, ‘di namin matutuloy ang ‘Daang Matuwid’ at ‘di namin magagawa ang layon na nais mangyari sa lungsod at sa ating bansa,” explained the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer. (If Leny and I will only get 20 percent, we will not be able to continue Read More …