May 222015
 
Gabby Eigenmann recalls meeting Carla Abellana

Carla Abellana (MNS Photo) Gabby Eigenmann shared there was no awkward moment between him and Carla Abellana, the ex-girlfriend of his cousin Geoff Eigenmann, when he met her on the set of television series “Pari ‘Koy.” The 28-year-old actress is the newest addition to the GMA program, which is topbilled by Dingdong Dantes. Abellana plays the character of Michelle, the new love interest of Jude portrayed by Eigenmann. “Maganda yung tatahakin ng relationship namin kasi siya, she’s longing for a child and ako naman naghahanap ng mother figure sa anak ko,” he said. According to the actor, he made the first move to welcome Abellana. He also found out that their friendship remains the same despite the actress’ bitter split with Geoff. “Yung trabaho okay naman. Excited naman ako and ako talaga mismo yung pumasok sa tent at nag ‘hi,’ tapos yinakap ko, tapos kinamusta, and na we’re finally working together, and kamustahan about work. Okay naman kami. We’re friends,” Eigenmann said. “We’re both reaching out for whatever it is. Sa amin naman kasi wala na eh, kung ano man ang naging past nila (ni Geoff). I tell her stories about the kids. Kung tutuusin updated siya kasi sa Instagram nakikita naman niya.” He’s also happy that even though Geoff and Abellana did not end up together, the actress remained warm towards the Eigenmanns. “Kung ano man ang naging cause and effect ng relationship nila, labas naman talaga kami doon e. Kahit tanungin mo pa ang opinyon ko kung sad Read More …

May 222015
 
Coming soon: Kris-Herbert movie

Herbert Bautista and Kris Aquino (MNS Photo) Actress-host Kris Aquino confirmed that she will be doing a movie with her former boyfriend, Quezon City Mayor and actor Herbert Bautista. Aquino made the confirmation on her Instagram account on Friday, saying that the upcoming movie will be directed by Antoinette Jadaone of “That Thing Called Tadhana.” In a previous blog entry titled “The State of My Heart,” Aquino shared some details of her past relationship with Bautista, with whom she has renewed ties as friends. On April 7, 2014, Aquino spoke about her ties with Bautista on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” She confirmed that they were indeed “partners,” ending weeks of speculation. “The next day, over the phone he broke up with me, right before Bimb’s (her son) 7th birthday party,” Aquino said. It was reported that the city mayor’s children with former partner Tates Gana were negatively affected by news on the relationship. (MNS)

May 222015
 
Lobregat: No to Bangsamoro chief police control

BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW: Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, listens to Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committee chair, during Monday’s (May 18, 2015) hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Alonto said they stand together with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The provision in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) granting the Bangsamoro chief minister operational control and supervision over the region’s police must be removed, a lawmaker said. Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said putting the control of the police at the hands of the Bangsamoro chief minister is dangerous as this would give him too much power. “Dapat tanggalin ito. Iyung puder na iyon ng operational control, it is given to the municipal and city mayors. It is not even given to the provincial governor,” Lobregat said. “Lahat ng munisipyo sa Bangsamoro siya ang mag-eemploy at magde-deploy ng kapulisan? Eh talagang maging super powerful nitong chief minister na ito.” The draft BBL being voted upon in the House ad hoc committee retains the provision giving the Bangsamoro chief minister operational control and supervision over the region’s police. Lawmakers said the police power was already devolved in the law creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which the BBL seeks to replace with a new Bangsamoro region. Power over the police control in the proposed region became one of the most contentious provisions in the Read More …

May 222015
 
De Lima: 3rd batch PDAF scam cases may be filed next week

Defense Secretary Volatire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas attend the 5th public hearing on the Mamasapano incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday said that the filing of the third batch of cases involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam may be done next week. According to De Lima, the final recommendation of the special investigation team created to determine who should be charged in connection with the PDAF scam will be completed next week. The DOJ Chief gave assurances that the result of the investigation will be immediately known just like what happened in the filing of the first batch of PDAF cases, including those filed against Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile and several others. De Lima also cited the filing of the plunder charges against the alleged PDAF scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the Php10-billion pork barrel and the Php900-million Malampaya Fund scams. (MNS)

May 222015
 
Kentex wants vindication, insists it was an ‘accident’

Members of labor groups light candles on Friday as they hold a sympathy protest in Valenzuela City, in front of the gates of Kentex footwear factory. They urged the government to take legal action against the company’s owners and local officials for the death of 72 workers in the fire that razed the factory. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The lawyer of Kentex Manufacturing Inc. said the company “suffered a total business loss.” Despite this, he said the owners’ families and friends have pooled their resources together for the initial compensation of survivors and kin of the victims in the massive fire last week, said Kentex lawyer Renato Paraiso. In a press conference, Paraiso said the company “suffered a total business loss. They have no funds to compensate the employees, but the family and their friends pooled money for the immediate relief of employees.” Each kin and employee, whether regular or agency-employed, was given P8,000 back pay and P5,000 assistance over the weekend. He said he has yet to look into other company assets. As it is now, he said it’s hard to communicate with family members of the owners because they were also victims of the fire. One owner is in the hospital for third-degree burns, while another is also confined after experiencing stress and trauma. He said the company is insured, but he has yet to see the document to be sure. “We’re just balancing our resources and our expected obligations. If we have excess, we would give Read More …

May 222015
 
LP solon: Poe’s citizenship non-issue unlike corruption raps vs others

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday presents a copy of the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) report and discusses the findings of the Senate committee on public order that she heads. Poe affirmed most of the BOI’s findings and stressed President Aquino’s responsibility on the incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A Liberal Party (LP) solon slammed reports which shed doubt on the issue of the citizenship of Sen. Grace Poe saying that it is just a smear campaign against the administration party’s possible 2016 presidential bet. Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone said on Tuesday that media reports which divulged Poe’s alleged US citizenship is a non-issue compared to allegations of corruption faced by other possible presidential hopefuls. “By bringing up the issue of citizenship against Poe, her detractors hope that it would create doubts in the minds of the electorate. But I think this is a non-issue compared to the issue of corruption,” Evardone said. On Monday, Poe said that she has denounced her US citizenship before she assumed the post of Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair in 2010. On the other hand, Evardone also hit detractors of Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who said that he would be sliding to the vice presidential post. The lawmaker said that Roxas is not a “non-winner” and is an “incorruptible leader.” “As to Roxas sliding to vice president, his opponents want to portray him as a weak presidential candidate. His detractors want to convince the Read More …

May 222015
 
VP Binay: I won’t back out from 2016 race

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during the 36th National Conference of Employers at Marriott hotel in Pasay City on Friday. Binay told the business community his family only has five bank accounts, denying the Anti Money Laundering Council report that he owns about 242 bank accounts. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Amid the corruption allegations against him, Vice President Jejomar Binay is still keen on seeking the highest elective post come 2016. “Yung ikinakalat nila na yung panlalait sa akin, kung anu-anong kasinungalingan ang itinatapon sa amin, hindi ito magiging dahilan para ako ay umatras,” Binay told reporters after his speech at the National Conference of Employers Friday. “Tuloy po ang laban, inumpisahan niya, tatapusin ko,” he added. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said he believes that Binay would surely back out from the presidential race because of the various accusations he is now facing.(MNS)

May 212015
 
Graceful in the Big Apple (Part 1 of 2)

New York – She rose to fame as “Grasya,” the round girl bearing the winning numbers for “Rambulaga,” the successful numbers game segment of “Eat Bulaga,” Philippines’ longest-running noontime variety show. The name was given to her by one of the show’s mainstays, Joey de Leon, who said that by bringing in the winning numbers, she was essentially bringing in a lot of graces from heaven. But after about seven years of making people’s dreams come true, “Grasya,” Samantha Lopez in real life, decided to pursue her own dreams. “I got burnt out. There was nowhere for me to go. There was no room for improvement. At the time, there were very few offers for TV, films, soap operas,” Samantha said of her move from Manila to New York. “My friends didn’t even know I was leaving. I went out to the club that night and told everyone I was leaving that same night. A lot of them ended up in a convoy to take me to the airport.” After about 14 years of finding her way out of the limelight she got used to in the Philippines, this dancer/model/actor is now a successful realtor in the concrete jungle. And true to character of bringing graces, she shares her tips for graceful living in the Big Apple. “Be yourself because if not, it’s easy to get lost in New York. You have to have that self-identity before you come here. That will be your strongest foundation.” Samantha Lopez Samantha explained Read More …