Mar 112015
 
Fewer crime victims in Q4 2014, but fear still high – SWS poll

Women, students and activists perform the One Billion Rising dance in celebration of the International Women’s Month at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila. One Billion Rising is a global movement first held in 2012 to address issues on rape and sexual violence against women. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Fewer Filipinos were victims of crimes in the last quarter of 2014, but fear of being victimized remained high, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations. The SWS poll found that 6.7 percent of respondents, equivalent to four million families, said that either they or their kin were victims of common crimes involving property or violence. In the third quarter, 7.9 percent or 4.7 million families said they were crime victims. Also in the fourth quarter, there was an average of 12 crimes for every 10 victimized families Meanwhile, the average common crime victimization rate for 2014 was 7.5 percent, a new annual record low. The previous record low was set in 2013, at 8.5 percent. The SWS pointed out that victimization by any common crime has been at single-digit levels since March 2012, except in March 2013 when it was at 10.5 percent. The figure was at its lowest in June 2014  at 6.5 percent. A breakdown of the most common crimes finds and that: Some five percent (about three million families) said they were victimized by pickpockets in the past six months, down from the 5.5 percent (estimated 3.3 million) in the third quarter. The 2014 Read More …

Mar 112015
 
Palace seeks legal opinion on Purisima puzzle

Members of women’s group Gabriela join religious and civil society organizations in forming a human chain along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City on Friday to commemorate the 40 days of the Mamasapano incident. The activity was one of several events calling for peace in Mindanao. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The President has asked his legal team to study how to deal with having to appoint a Philippine National Police (PNP) chief even while a four-star general is still on active duty in the police organization. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President is aware that the PNP chief has to have four stars but there can only be one four-star general at a time. “Normally, when a person is appointed, nae-elevate siya to the position and the rank especially in the rank. Pero ang problema ho ngayon, the position is vacant but the rank is not so that has to be looked into as well,” Valte said. Director General Alan Purisima has resigned as chief of the PNP following the Mamasapano incident. He, however, has not yet retired or left service. “Matagal na hong pinapatingnan din ng Pangulo ‘yan. Remember the former chief of the PNP is retiring November pa of this year. So, yes, that is an issue that is being studied,” Valte said. Asked if the President would appoint an officer-in-charge instead, she said, “The President is quite aware of the urgencies of appointing a chief PNP.” The Palace also assuaged fears that Aquino will Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Pacquiao- Mayweather bout: A rallying event for Filipinos

Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao whose bout with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand Arena on May 2 maybe the biggest fight of his life. True to form, the Filipino boxing icon exudes a solid confidence resulting from many rounds of squaring off with grizzled boxers of varied styles. The two megafighters are fighting maybe for different reasons. Mayweather, who holds an impeccable unbeaten record will not allow anybody to grab the honor and distinction away from him. And he too is fighting for the “right reason” as a prizefighter. He has set his eyes for the million right incentives to go through the rigors and danger of the 12-round event. The kitty is hefty and enough motivation for him, maybe. It took five years of taunting, bitter word exchanges and skillful negotiations before an agreement was reach for the ”fight of the century.” While some releases had it that the Filipino boxing hero of many talents has been quoted as seeing this skirmish with Mayweather as “a bout like any other fight”, to those following him closely, the fight is more than that to his countrymen. On Pacquiao’s shoulders fall the nobler task of proving what the Filipinos are capable of doing. He symbolizes the tenacity and resilience of his race. The money factor which in many instance brought him in “trouble” might not be the biggest consideration, as it sometimes bring in conflict with people whose job is to look for people who make too much and want Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Gloria Arroyo being persecuted? Palace tosses question to Sandiganbayan

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives with husband, Jose Miguel, at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 11, 2012. Arroyo entered a plead of not guilty to allegations of graft and corruption in the tainted telecommunications deal with China in 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) MANILA, Mar 9 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Monday played coy about the case filed by British lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney against the Philippine government over the continued detention of former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In a text message, presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda did not give a direct answer when sought comment on the case filed before the United Nations. Instead, Lacierda just said that Clooney was “doing her job as a lawyer.” “What more can we say?” the Palace official said. Asked for Malacañang’s response to Clooney’s position that Mrs. Arroyo is a victim of political persecution, Lacierda responded: “Perhaps one should ask the Sandiganbayan that question.” The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court is currently hearing a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds during Arroyo’s presidency. On Sunday, Mrs. Arroyo’s lawyer, Modesto Ticman, confirmed that Clooney filed the case last month before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), a body under the UN Commission on Human Rights. Clooney, wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney, wants Mrs. Arroyo to be released from her detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Jinggoy unfazed by court allowing evidence from AMLC

Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, June 30, for his arraignment over the plunder charges filed against him and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the alleged P10-B pork barrel scam. (MNS photo) MANILA, Mar 9 (Mabuhay) – While Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is disappointed by the decision of the Sandiganbayan to allow the testimony of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in his bail hearing, he remains confident of his chances for temporary freedom. “Athough we are saddened by the decision of the court, we have to abide by it. We are ready. I’m totally unfazed,” Estrada told reporters after his bail hearing Monday. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denied with finality the motion of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to block the admission of the AMLC inquiry report on his bank accounts and other assets as the prosecution’s evidence against him for his plunder and graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam. In an 18-page resolution issued on Thursday, the anti-graft court junked Estrada’s motion for reconsideration for “lack of merit,” saying the senator failed to prove that he had the right to protected from the State’s power to inquire into bank accounts believed to be engaged in illegal activities. Estrada said his lawyers would come up with an appropriate defense against the report, so long as the AMLC special investigator does not tell tall tales. “Ayos lang, basta wag lang sila gumawa ng ibang kwento,” Estrada quipped. In his motion for reconsideration filed last month, Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Amid resignation calls, Aquino gets support from evangelical church leaders

Thousands of students from the University of the Philippines participate Friday in a simultaneous walkout in campuses nationwide to call for President Aquino’s resignation. Different student organizations joined the protest calling for justice, accountability, and change to commemorate the 1st month of the Mamasapano incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday received support from evangelical church leaders amid calls for him to resigned over the bloody Mamasapano operation last January 25. During the prayer meeting at the Malacañan Palace grounds, Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva urged Aquino on behalf of other evangelical church leaders not to quit his post. “We are beseeching you to fulfill your duty, your constitutional duty to finish your term,” Villanueva told Aquino during the prayer gathering. Villanueva also assured the President of “all-out support to protect the Constitution.” Before this, the JIL leader read Bible verses on submitting to government authorities and warning against rebellion. Villanueva’s son, Joel, its the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and is Aquino’s close pal. (MNS)

Mar 092015
 
Kitchen Stories: Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce

We’ve been cooking a lot of chicken dishes lately, particularly white chicken meat, which has a little less fat and fewer calories compared to dark meat. We are really trying our best to make healthier choices when it comes to our meals. Chicken breast meat has more protein and less cholesterol, so it’s the better choice. We like adding it to our salads, or serving it with some roasted or steamed vegetables and we look forward to sharing our chicken recipes with you! She Said: Our New Year’s resolution to eat healthier meals has been going well so far. We’ve been eating more fruits and vegetables and we’re slowly choosing lean meats over fatty cuts. she said: Now, we only hope to be successful when it comes to desserts! We both have a weakness for all things sweet and can’t resist chocolates, cakes and cookies, but we’re really trying our best most especially for the Lenten season. This recipe calls for skinless chicken breast fillet. The accompanying sauce is a French classic, made with mustard and heavy cream which you can substitute with milk or even plain yogurt. It makes a perfect sauce for pan-seared fish and as topping for pork tenderloin, too. Serve this with some steamed string beans and rice on the side and you’ve got yourself the perfect lunch. Enjoy! Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce(adapted from The Pioneer Woman) 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 tablespoons olive oil Read More …

Mar 092015
 
Balance and flexibility in your senior years

Seniors and the elderly should stretch two to three times a week, performing each stretch three to five times with a 20-30-second hold. Photo from quotering.com My father is an inspiration to his many friends and acquaintances. He is the epitome of a healthy nonagenarian who still drives his car, plays golf, travels, goes to office, and exercises on a daily basis. During my father’s 90th birthday some years back, one segment of the program we prepared for him was to ask a few of his friends to talk about their experiences with him. Almost all of his friends have known him for decades although they are younger than him. They are bound by their love for golf and they travel together to attend golf tournaments for senior citizens.  All of them talked about how sprite and flexible Dad is at his age. One particular friend was Dad’s roommate during one of their trips and, in his speech, he said he was astounded to see Dad doing shoulder stands as part of his exercise regimen before getting ready for the day’s golf game.How did Dad achieve flexibility and strength till his nonagenarian years?For what it is worth, there was not a time in Dad’s life that he did not do a kind of sport — basketball in his younger years, swimming and tennis in his 30s and 40s, golf in his 50s till the present, in his 90s.His exercises include a lot of stretching ( leg, body, and arm stretches), Read More …