Maniolas

Officials and members of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) join the famous “Salubungan” during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday (Feb. 25, 2016) in front of the Corinthian Gardens along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – More than seven of 10 Filipinos are still satisfied with the Philippine brand of democracy won 30 years ago by the historic People Power uprising that toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos, a recent Social Weather Stations survey showed. Results of the study were published Wednesday evening by SWS’ partner BusinessWorld. The study, conducted from December 5 to 8 last year, also showed that 58 percent of Filipinos believed that democracy is still preferable to any form of government, while 23 percent said the type of government doesn’t matter. Also, it showed that 18 percent of the respondents believed that under certain circumstances a dictatorial form of government is more desirable than democracy. The survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents spread nationwide, and that it had an error margin of  ±3. Moreover, the study showed that 76 percent of Filipino adults said they are satisfied with the way democracy works in our country, a slight change from 77 percent  in June 2015. The survey question was: “On the whole, are you (very satisfied; fairly satisfied; not very satisfied; not at all satisfied) with the way democracy works in the Philippines?” SWS noted that satisfaction with the way democracy works Read More …

Rosanna Roces (MNS photo) Rosanna Roces is getting married to a lesbian, the former sexy star revealed. “I found my match,” Roces said. “Alam mo kung paano ako magpalit ng lalaki noon, parang nagpapalit lang ng damit. …Parang may something missing. So ayun, nakita ko na iyong something missing.” The 43-year-old Roces did not reveal the identity or when and where they will get married. Roces said she and her partner first became a couple back when she was 15 years old. But their relationship hit a snag when she decided to get pregnant. “Akala niya mahal ko iyong tatay ni Grace,” said Roces, who was referring to her eldest daughter. “Which is not kasi ginamit ko lang talaga siya para magkaroon ng baby na palalakihin namin.” “So naghiwalay kami. Pero after noon, wala na akong naging seryosong relasyon. Parang may kulang eh. Alam kong hindi ito,” she added. After 27 years, Roces again met her partner. “Kapag pala tinatama mo ang buhay mo, lahat pala ng mga bisyo mo na hindi mo gusto nandiyan, kusang mawawala with the help of the Lord. God hates the sin not the sinner,” she said. Same-sex marriage is not allowed in the Philippines where more than 80 percent of the 100 million population is Roman Catholic. The issue triggered a debate among Filipinos after the comments of boxer-politician Pacquiao. He has apologized for his controversial remarks, but maintained that he is against same-sex marriage. Roces also talked about her return to television. She Read More …

President Aquino views two of the four FA-50 Golden Eagle jets that accompanied Philippine Airlines flight PR 001 as it arrived the Philippine area of responsibility Friday, from the President’s participation in the US-ASEAN Summit. The FA-50 jets are part of the PAF’s modernization program.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued an order abolishing the Philippine Veterans Assistance Commission (PVAC) and the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp. (PHIVIDEC), transferring their functions to other agencies. The President issued Memorandum Order No. 87 last February 11 for the abolition of the PVAC and the PHIVIDEC, which will be undertaken by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GCG), in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND). The PVAC’s function of providing services to veterans will be absorbed by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), while its commercial function will be given to the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA). The DND, PVAO and the Privatization and Management Office will undertake the disposition of PHIVIDEC assets. The Department of Finance (DOF), on the other hand, will pay for the outstanding financial obligations of PVAC and PHIVIDEC from the proceeds of the assets sale based on government budgeting and auditing regulations. The President’s memo also mandates the creation of the technical working group for the implementation of the order. This group will be composed of the DND, PVAO, PIA, DOF, Bureau of Treasury and PMO. The PVAC, created by Presidential Decree 244, was mandated to draw, invest and manage private Read More …

Manila Central Post Office, headquarter of the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) Photo courtesy of Scandi https://commons.wikimedia.org MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges against Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) postmaster general Josephine dela Cruz for the agency’s alleged failure to remit to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the loan amortizations of an employee. In a resolution recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, the anti-graft body found probable cause to charge Dela Cruz with 15 counts of violation of Republic Act 8291 or the GSIS Act of 1997. Also ordered charged with the same violation were PPC Eastern Mindanao area director Bernardito Gonzales and Arlene Bendanillo of PPC- Zamboanga City. Based on the Ombudsman’s investigation, the PPC failed to remit the loan amortizations of one of its employees in Zamboanga City, Santos Pamatong Jr., to the GSIS for the period of October 2011 to December 2012. In her defense, Dela Cruz claimed that due to insufficiency of funds, “the PPC prioritized the net take home pay of employees and operating costs, over the remittance to the GSIS of premiums and loan amortizations.” In her resolution, however, Morales dismissed Dela Cruz’ claim for lack of proof. “Dela Cruz has not presented any evidence that would support her allegation that the PPC lacked the funds to be able to remit to the GSIS complainant’s loan amortizations,” the resolution read. Under Section 52 of the GSIS Act, the heads and personnel of a national government office involved Read More …

Two of the most sought after young Filipino actors, both on screen, cinema and singing sensation, Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby – along with comedian extraordinaire, ‘Pokwang’ and budding male actor Darren Espanto, in one of a kind performance ever will lead the pack of performers live at Pechanga Resort & Casino on March 26 at 8p.m. and March 27 at 5pm. Pechanga Resort & Casino is well-known for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers such as international singer Gary Valenciano, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, the singer/actress and Tony Award winnerLea Salonga, popular comedian and actor Vice Ganda, winner of “Star Power Search 2011”Angeline Quintos, international actress and top endorser Anne Curtis, and Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo – who all gave wholesome entertainment to the delight of the crowd. Dubbed as ‘ Heartthrobs Reloaded Live at Pechanga, ‘ Pascual, an award winning actor and singer, was tagged as one and only ultimate heartthrob due to his peculiarity, smart looks and hot appeal. He’s being link to well-known famed celebrities and is notorious as every lady’s dream man. Born Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual on January 12, 1977 to Amelia “Amy” Nonato and Philip (Herzig) Pascual. The youngest of six (four girls and 2 boys), Peejay (his nickname) was considered a “miracle baby”.Pascual was discovered by a family friend who picked him up and on their way home and stopped at the taping of the late German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment show. It was there that a staff member saw a potential star in Piolo. He Read More …