Maniolas

OVP, HOUSING AGENCIES BUDGET HEARING: Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Leni Robredo answers queries from senators during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the 2017 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), along with the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and other housing agencies on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. Robredo noted that previous budgetary allocations for the housing sector have been limited, and that the government was only able to provide an average of 200,000 socialized housing units per year, out of a backlog of 5 million units. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — All government officials, and not just President Rodrigo Duterte, should be cautious of what they say in public. This was the advice given by Vice President Leni Robredo in light of a perceived slur by Duterte against US President Barack Obama, who eventually called off his meeting with the Philippine chief executive. “Siyempre nakakahinayang iyon [hindi natuloy ang meeting]. Pero sa atin naman, I think mahahanapan iyon ng paraan, hindi iyong meeting, pero to repair whatever damage there is sa ating relations,” Robredo told reporters after emerging from a budget hearing at the Senate. Robredo, who beat Duterte’s runningmate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano in the May vice presidential race, reminded government officials to watch what they say, especially in public, since they represent Filipinos. “Ako, sa tingin ko, lahat tayo hindi lang ang Pangulo, pati ako, pati lahat ng government officials… maging maingat din… Kasi what we Read More …

President Duterte meets with the Filipino community in Laos: President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with the Filipino community in Laos at Feungfar Convention Hall in Ban Phonsinuane on Sept. 5, 2016. (Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD/PNA) VIENTIANE, Laos (PNA) — The Philippine government expressed deep regrets, deep regard and affinity for US President Barack Obama and the enduring partnership between both nations. The government’s statement was read by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar before the members of the international media present at the National Convention Center here, who are covering the three-day summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The statement said, “ President Rodrigo Duterte today affirmed that he continues to value the alliance with United States noting that both our countries share common goals and their pursuit against illegal drugs, terrorists, crime and poverty. “ Andanar read, “He also thank President Obama for his firm support FOR the Philippines during the G20 where President Obama emphasized the importance for China to abide by its obligation under international law and underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to the security of this treaty island. How did the statement start After President Duterte’s departure speech before he flew to Laos from Davao, he replied to a question from an international wire agency asking how he would respond to a question of President Obama on extrajudicial killings. President Duterte’s reply was , “You know, the Philippines is not a vassal state. We have long ceased to be a colony of the Read More …

By Lily O. Ramos Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada turnover a key to the city of Manila to President of the French Republic Francois Hollande during the wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Manila (MNS Photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday called on Filipinos to unite behind President Rodrigo Duterte in his quest to end terrorism and criminality in the country. “We should unite and rally behind President Duterte in his quest to remove the threat of terrorism in the country,” Estrada said in an interview as several sectors have raised concerns on the “state of lawlessness” declared by Duterte over the weekend following the Davao City bomb blast. “Ang masasabi ko (All I can say is), go Mr. President! Do not waver. Do not get distracted by what is happening in Davao City kasi tinatakot lang siya ng mga yan (because they are just scaring him),” Estrada said, referring to the Abu Sayyaf Group’s (ASG) laying claim to the bomb attack. As Duterte goes after the ASG and other terrorist and criminal groups, Estrada said the President should press on with his anti-narcotics drive. “He should continue his campaign, his all-out war against drugs and extremists. I support him all the way,” Estrada said. Earlier, the former president expressed his full support for Duterte’s war against the ASG, an Islamist extremist group that has been carrying out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion since 1991. On July 23, 2014, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Read More …

By Cielito M. Reganit Duterte in Davao Port (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept. 5 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a proclamation declaring a ‘State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence,” Palace officials have confirmed Monday. In an interview in Davao City, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the President signed the one-page proclamation shortly before leaving for the ASEAN Summit in Laos. Medialdea said that the spate of terror attacks like kidnappings, beheadings and finally the Davao night market bombing prodded the President to issue the proclamation. He also stressed it is not martial law, no curfew is being imposed and there is no timeline for its implementation. “The President will decide until he sees order and safety restored,” Medialdea said. Meanwhile, over in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary for Policy and Legislative Affairs Christian Ablan said that the Executive Secretary was already on his way to Manila with the signed proclamation. He said that among the salient points of the proclamation was the President’s order for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to undertake measures permitted by the Constitution and laws to suppress all forms of lawless violence in Mindanao. The President also commanded the AFP and the PNP to prevent lawless violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere in the country with due regard to fundamental and civil political rights. “The state of national emergency shall remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the President,” Ablan said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte talks to a wounded victim of the Davao City bombing incident during his visit at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. (MNS photo) MANILA, Sept 5 (Mabuhay) – Former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Arroyo on Monday threw her support behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of “state of lawlessness” in the wake of the Davao City blast last Friday. Arroyo said Duterte is in the best position to declare a state of lawlessness to crush any threat to the country’s peace and order. She believes that law enforcers would not abuse their authority, amid concerns that the situation will be used as an excuse to violate human rights. President Rodrigo R. Duterte comforts the families of the victims of the bombing incident in Davao City that left 14 people dead and over 60 others injured on Sept. 3, 2016. (MNS photo) “I did not experience them being abusive, and I don’t think they will be abusive now,” Arroyo said in a press briefing. “President Duterte is a much stronger leader than I am so if could handle them he can handle them even better,” Arroyo added. The President’s aides said the declaration simply meant that the police could call on the military to help suppress security threats. The declaration will not amount to martial law, nor will it lead to the suspension of civil rights, they said. In 2003, Arroyo placed Davao City under a “state of lawlessness” after successive attacks on the Read More …