Maniolas

Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binay (R) shakes hands with visiting former National Basketball Association (NBA) player and owner of the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks Yao Ming, during a visit to the Coconut Palace in Manila May 6, 2013. Yao and his Shanghai Dongfang Sharks basketball team are in Manila on a friendly visit, local media reported. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Senate blue ribbon subcommittee on Thursday decided to invite Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend the next hearing on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. The decision came following allegations by former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado that Binay supposedly received 13 percent kickback from all the infrastructure projects of the city during his watch. “We will extend a formal invitation to the Vice President to attend our next hearing on September 25, 2014 at 10 a.m.,” Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who heads the panel, said. It was Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who moved for the committee to invite Binay. Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano seconded the motion. The committee also invited Makati Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay III, a certain Ebeng, and Gerry Limlingan to the investigation. Binay and his son, Mayor Junjun Binay, have been named respondents in a plunder complaint in connection with the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II. Binay has denied the allegations against him, insisting that the complaint is part of a demolition job against him. (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Membership Meeting and launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program (MIAP) at the Function Hall 3, SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City on Monday (September 08). The event aims to rally PBSP members and other Mindanao companies around the idea of inclusive business, specifically on priority industries: coffee, cacao, corn, palm oil and rubber, as well as possible investments in Bangsamoro. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The chairman of the board of Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation claimed Thursday that the firm did not see the final plan for the Makati City Hall Building 2 despite being in charge of construction from start to finish. Speaking before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, Hilmarc board chairman Efren Canlas said his firm only concentrated on the scope of the work while bidding for the project’s five different phases. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano asked Canlas: “As the winner of the first phase and eventually lahat, there was no original plan of the whole building presented to you?” “Wala po, your honor,” Canlas answered. He said all government projects are usually constructed in phases. Sen. Koko Pimentel said he found it strange that Hilmarc did not see the structural design and final plan for the building when it was in charge of construction from the foundation all the way to the finishing of the 11-storey building. He asked Canlas: “Sir, yung mga drawings of the Read More …

DIAMOND Star Maricel Soriano has expressed her gratitude for the support the viewers are giving to GMA-7’s primetime series “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real”. In an interview with the seasoned actress at a recent pocket press conference of the series, Soriano said that she could not ask for more as her comeback show on television was a success. “Itong buong soap opera na ito, hindi ko makakalimutan. Ang saya saya ko. Pinagdasal ko ito e. First time kong gumawa ng ganito kabigat on television kaya proud na proud ako kasi yung mga kasama ko magagaling. Salamat talaga sa oportunidad na ito. Sobra akong masaya,” she said. The actress said she had a hard time portraying the role of Millet Real because she is the total opposite of her character in real life. She said she cannot give such kind of unconditional love to someone and would rather leave something for herself. “Honestly, nahirapan ako kay Milett. Ibang klase siyang mag mahal and hindi ko kaya yung ganung unconditional love na binigay niya sa asawa niya. Mahirap magbigay ng ganung klaseng pagmamahal,” the Diamond Star said. Despite her challenging role, Soriano said her main co-stars Lovi Poe and Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes are making her work easy. “Lahat sila magagaling at wala akong masabi sa professionalism nila. Masayang magtrabaho kasi maayos at mababait ang kasama mo,” she said. When asked if she is open in doing a similar project, Maricel said her doors are always open for shows on GMA-7. “Why Read More …

Fil-Ams among victims of debilitating disease By Rhony Laigo If not for the universal campaign of the Ice Bucket Challenge, the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease may have been just that – a disease that has no cure. Now, ALS is known worldwide. But unknown to many, another debilitating disease that affects many, including the young, also needs the same kind of attention and because it is passed from one generation to another. On September 20, American families, their relatives and friends, and advocates will do just that. They will troop to the City of Long Beach to participate in the Sixth Annual LA/OC Walk n’ Roll for Ataxia so more people may be aware of an unfamiliar neurological disorder called ataxia, which simply means “lack of coordination.” Starting from 340 S. Pine Avenue, the Saturday 1K Walk n’ Roll for Ataxia Awareness in Long Beach at the Aquarium of the Pacific area will coincide with the International Ataxia Awareness Day. Personally, I know people here in Southern California who have been suffering from ataxia or the lack of muscle control caused by the disease. One is close to Balita family and her name is Moira, whose mother, Saira Velasco, better known in the Philippine celebrity world as Bunny Paras, used to be our Advertising Manager for the Motoring Section. Saira had to semi-retire to focus on her daughter, who was diagnosed with the disease four years ago. Moira is only 15. Two other friends of mine, back from my Novaliches Read More …

I hope Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s intention to file a resolution requesting the Senate leadership to conduct question hour on Budget Secretary Butch Abad pushes through and force him to release vital information regarding the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). At least Santiago’s question hour with Abad is much, much more credible than the previous Senate inquiry that they did on Abad. Senate President Frank Drilon, the biggest “pork barrel” beneficiary, coached Abad in parrying questions thrown by some senators amid allegations that most, if not all projects funded through DAP, were either fake or grossly overpriced. As long as Drilon is the Senate President, and Belmonte as Speaker of the house, I don’t have much hope in both chambers ever reasserting their independence from Malacañang. Both Drilon and Belmonte will do whatever Malacañang wants. Drilon and some other senators and congressmen who benefitted from the DAP funds have lost all their moral authority to govern. The public has lost faith in them, except for a few lawmakers. Abad’s  presence in the Senate however will require presidential approval, according to a Malacañang spokesman. If and when President Noynoy invokes his executive privilege, the Senate cannot compel Abad to testify about the illegal DAP funds. I do not see any reason for the President to prevent Abad from appearing before the Senate and being subjected to the question hour since the information the Senate seeks is not covered by the doctrine of executive privilege. Unless the administration wants Abad to withhold Read More …