Maniolas

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Koko Pimentel III conduct an ocular inspection of the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II on Monday, September 1. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to put Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation, general contractor of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall building II project, on provisional blacklist for its supposed irregular practices. During the continuation of the hearing of the blue ribbon committee on the alleged overpricing, Trillanes also asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to withhold further payments to the construction company until the issue on the Makati City Hall building II is resolved. “Very unsound yung ginagawa nila. They will build a foundation [pero] hindi alam kung gaano kataas yung itatayong building. That is what you get, Hilmarcs. Kung hindi nyo sinisilip yung plano ng gagawin nyo, hindi dapat makakakuha ng proyekto ang Hilmarc’s and for COA to tignan muna, i-notify bago bayaran,” he said. Engr. Efren Canlas, chairman of the board and incorporation of Hilmarc’s, admitted during the hearing that they had yet to see the entire plan or design of the controversial building when they joined the bidding for its construction. He said what they saw was only the “scope of work.” “For the record po, when you bidded for Phase 1 [of the construction], wala kayong nakitang final look ng building na gagawin nyo? Na ginagawan nyo ng foundation for? You knew it was a building, ang itsura Read More …

Learn the Ivana Chubbuck Acting with Star Magic Workshop

Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin (MNS photo) Luis Manzano drew laughs in a joint interview with his girlfriend, Angel Locsin, when he said, in jest, that it’s up to the “Darna” actress to propose marriage. The couple was interviewed after participating in Batangas’ Alay-Lakad charity event, which was organized by Manzano’s mother and the province’s governor, screen veteran Vilma Santos. “Baka masyado mo naman dibdibin ‘yan, ah!” Locsin told Manzano, when he quipped that he has been waiting for the actress’ wedding proposal. Alluding to a controversial wedding mixup in Balesin Island Club, Manzano joked that they had been planning to hold their wedding there. The two, however, did not give a serious answer on their plans to wed. Locsin went along with Manzano’s jokes that she had agreed to shoulder the expenses of the special day, in exchange for the “gift” of his good looks. Reacting to her son’s statement, Santos said, in jest: “Mga kaibigan, masanay na po kayo sa anak ko. Ganyan lang po ‘yan, pero maniwala kayo sa akin, napakabait niyan!” “Mayabang lang po ‘yan. Mawala na ang yaman, huwag lang ang yabang!” In the interview, Santos also referred to Locsin as a “good first lady,” amid speculation that Manzano is planning to pursue public office in Batangas. The TV host, however, clarified that he has yet to make a decision and will likely come up with one in a month’s time.(MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in government officials for a photo souvenir after administering the oath in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (September 01). Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza. (MNS photo) MANILA, (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III is embarking on a four-nation official tour of Europe from September 13 to 20, his first to the region since he assumed office in 2010, to pitch for investments and support for the Philippine position to resolve the conflict in the West Philippine Sea. In a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Zeneida Angara-Collinson discussed in detail the President’s schedule in Europe, where he is set to meet with leaders of Spain, Belgium, France and Germany before heading to the United States to attend the United Nations Global Climate Change Summit. According to Collinson, the Chief Executive, accompanied by his official delegation, will depart on September 13 for Spain via a chartered flight, his first stop of the eight-day European trip. In all of his visits to these nations, the President will also discuss with his counterparts common issues that include the Philippines’ Generalized System of Preferences or the GSP+ application, the illegal and unregulated fishing, the Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCWS) and the latest developments in the comprehensive peace agreement on the Bangsamoro. In the Read More …

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a bold local official who seems to “endorse” violence against criminals. MANILA (Mabuhay) – If Senator Miriam Defensor will push through with her plan to run for President in 2016, her first choice for her running mate will be Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. “He (Duterte) will make an excellent Vice President for enforcement,” she said in a press conference on Wednesday. Santiago said she is also considering as running mate defeated presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro. Moreover, she said it will be good to see two women running together so she is also thinking of taking Senator Grace Poe as her vice presidential bet. “Miriam and Grace sounds like a restaurant,” Santiago said. The feisty senator also said, aside from running for the highest elected post, she also plans to join the International Advisory of a non-government organization or to write a book in Washington D.C. “If I don’t make a full recovery and go on to a dark place, I will come back anyway and sabotage the plans of corrupt politicians,” she added. (MNS)