Maniolas

Los Angeles  – The Philippine Consulate General is pleased to announce that we have opened our doors to serve the public at its new location at 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90010. The change of location, that is four blocks from its present location, is part of a wider effortof the Consulate to deliver better client experience and to enhance the image and representation of the Philippines in Southern California. Parking with validation is available at the Equitable Bank Building.

Senators Juan Edgardo Angara (left) and Aquilino Pimentel III (extreme right) exchange views before the Senate passage on third and final reading of the bill postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from Feb. 21, 2015 to the last Monday of October 2016. Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Senate committee on ways and means approved a bill that would institutionalize a monitoring system for tax incentives that business entities, corporations and private individuals are receiving from the government. In a hearing on Tuesday, the committee chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara approved Senate Bill (SB) 2669 or the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA) which seeks to promote transparency and accountability in giving and administering tax incentives. Though tax incentives are an important component of the fiscal policy to attract investments, their proper administration is necessary to ensure that the incentives would not have an adverse impact on government revenue, Angara pointed out in an e-mailed statement Wednesday. The incentives on investments in 2011 reached P144 billion, Angara noted, citing a report by the Department of Finance (DOF). The amount is equivalent to 9 percent of the actual government spending and 1.5 percent of the gross domestic product for that year, according to the report. “The Philippines remains strongly competitive in the region… The steady stream of FDIs or foreign direct investments into our economy is not a mere coincidence. It is Read More …

Farmers hold a noise barrage in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City on Tuesday for the passage of agrarian reform bills pending in Congress. A total of 81 Catholic bishops signed a petition on Monday appealing to President Aquino and Congress to pass the bills. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police General Hospital is waiting for the medical results of former APEC Party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez before they make a recommendation on his transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Dagong Diwa in Taguig. During the hearing before the Sandiganbayan 5th division, PNP medical officer Dr. Benaly Bayani said they are just waiting for the results of Valdez’s 2D echo test and full abdominal ultrasound. These tests were done after Valdez complained of chest pains. Valdez, accused of plunder and graft in connection to the pork scam, has hypertension and type-2 diabetes. Bayani said, however, that Valdez’s hypertension is manageable. His BP is at 120/150. The diabetes, on the other hand, does not require the injection of insulin, the doctor said. The fifth division earlier ordered that as soon as Valdez is discharged, he should be brought to the BJMP facility. Valdez’s lawyer, Joel Ferrer, said they will abide by the court’s ruling saying the continued stay of his client in the hospital may even worsen his condition. “Baka ‘pag nasa ospital, lalo pa magkasakit,” said Ferrer. (MNS)

The 650-sq.m. Facility, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday, is located at Km 21, East Service Road, South Superhighway, Sucat, Muntinlupa City. MANILA, Philippines — There is a new go-to place for lovers of vintage collectibles. Harringtons Lifestyle Auction held its third successful Auction Day on February 28 dubbed “Remnants of the Past” – and its bidders went away happy with their rare and valuable finds. Having earned the distinction of pioneering the auction industry in the Philippines, Harringtons has everything that an ardent collector or antiques enthusiast could wish for – from paintings to sculptures, porcelain vases and celadon jars, rosewood tables and elm wood chairs, hand painted Chinese ceramic plates and handcrafted Tibetan necklaces, English fine bone tea sets and ancient Indian stone statues, Italian dining chairs and Victorian wall mirrors. Name it, they have it. Most of the items auctioned off at the well-attended event were furnishings and décor pieces from a prestigious five-star hotel in Makati known for its grandeur and opulence. Among them were commissioned paintings by Phyllis Zaballero, J. Palencia and Jon Lucas Red. There were also paintings from renowned artists Roberto Chabet, Emmanuel Garibay, NenaSaguil, Romulo Olazo and Tony Mahilum, as well as a 1967 Dodge Dart GT. Sculptor Roland Castrillo, whose brass work entitled “Barong-Barong” was bought by a bidder, was present at the auction. The event was presided over by auctioneer Sam Powell, a member of the United Auctioneers Association based in the USA. Branch manager Cila Chua said approximately Read More …

Richard Yap shows up at the press conference of Someone to Watch Over Me looking different!