Maniolas

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the oath-taking ceremony for newly-promoted generals and flag officers at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan on August 23. (MNS photo) CAMP GENERAL MATEO CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte urged the Commission on Human Rights to consider the safety of the 104 million Filipinos before criticizing his intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign. ”Itong mga human rights, mamili kayo: Is it the comfort and safety of the population? Or the lives of criminals?” President said in his speech before the more than 300 soldiers belonging to 2nd Infantry Division of Philippine Army here. President Duterte said illegal drug is destroying the country and “there’s always a price to pay.” ”Itong mga… those who are pag magkaharap itong mga ganito, lumalaki ‘yung bunganga pati ‘yung ulo eh and they talk nonsense,” the President said. Police have reported that over 700 drug pushers and users have been killed already in legitimate police operations since aggressive war against drug started almost two months ago. ”We are supposed to protect the integrity of our Republic and the safety of the citizens there,” the President said. Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday said that the agency has witnesses to provide the evidence against Senator Leila De Lima and former DoJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan link to the illegal drug trade in New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. However, Aguirre said the agency did not go into details on what evidence they have against Read More …

President Rodrigo Duterte, along with non-uniformed personnel of the 2nd Infantry Division, does the fist gesture at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on August 24. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The military must have access to every inch of the country, including areas of indigenous peoples or lumad in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte said at past midnight Thursday. Asked about the issue of militarization of lumad communities that IP leaders believe should be eased with the advent of the ceasefire and peace talks with communist leaders, Duterte said, “There is no such thing as a militarization.” “Every inch of this property of republic must be occupied by soldiers of the government,” Duterte said in a news conference in Davao City. “There is no such thing as hindi kayo papasok diyan kasi no militarization there,” he added. President Rodrigo Duterte, along with the 2nd Infantry Division army troopers, does the fist gesture at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on August 24. (MNS photo) What may be prevented, Duterte said, are open conflicts between the military and the lumad, and the influences behind each. “Siguro yung overt acts , yung makipagway, ‘yun ang iniiwasan,” Duterte said. Duterte said conflict only developed because of the involvement of the Alamara paramilitary group and the Communist Party of the Philippines. “Kanya-kanyang sphere of influence,” Duterte said.(MNS)

Eligible immigrants strongly urged to take the first step now to have a chance of becoming a U.S. citizen before November election   Over 300,000 Asian immigrants in L.A. County currently eligible to naturalize and become a U.S. Citizen LOS ANGELES – Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA), in close partnership with community-based organizations and local government, announced an unprecedented campaign to encourage and increase the number of Asian American immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship. Community based organizations serving the Asian American community will receive additional funding and support to process citizenship applications. In addition, Asian ethnic media will be invited to join the effort as official campaign partners, to promote the benefits of citizenship. In Los Angeles County, over 300,000 Asian American immigrants are currently legal permanent residents who are eligible to naturalize and become U.S. citizens. “The United States was founded by immigrants and continues to thrive because of the contributions of immigrants,” said Stewart Kwoh, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA. “For many Asian Americans, the risk of leaving their native countries in pursuit of better opportunities outweighed all their fears of the unknown. Today, we are launching ‘Endless Possibilities. Citizenship Now!’ in seven Asian languages, drawing on an unprecedented partnership between nonprofits, government, and media, with the purpose of reminding immigrants that citizenship is a pathway to the many benefits and opportunities many hoped to achieve for themselves and their families by coming to America.” “More than 1 million people in Read More …

President Rodrigo Duterte elaborates more on the allegations against Senator Leila De Lima during a press conference held at the Presidential Guest house in Davao City on August 20. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Rodrigo Duterte will convene an advisory body with lawmakers to boost his plans to overhaul the country’s creaking infrastructure and untangle crippling traffic jams in the capital, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Tuesday. The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which is chaired by the President, will meet as early as next month, Pernia told reporters. Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, convened the LEDAC only twice, compared to past presidents who met with lawmakers every quarter. Duterte will propose drafting a national transport policy, amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer law to resolve “right of way” problems and raising the minimum cost for projects that will require approval by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board to P5 billion from P1 billion. The measures will “fast-track the appraisal and approval process while still ensuring quality” of the projects, Pernia told reporters. The LEDAC will also tackle amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and the creation a “super body” for water resources, he said. Pernia said immediate solutions to ease traffic in Metro Manila include constructing a bridge from Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Center to divert 25 percent of traffic on EDSA. The construction of a common station that will connect LRT Line 2 and the MRT 3 will also be fast-tracked, he said. The Read More …

Martial Law victims raise their fists after they filed a petition on Monday asking the Supreme Court to intervene and stop the planned hero’s interment for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani next month. President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered the military to prepare for Marcos’ burial scheduled on September 18.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Former President Ferdinand Marcos would not be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for the next 20 days, the Supreme Court said Tuesday in response to petitions by various groups seeking to deny the late strongman a hero’s burial. At a press conference, SC spokesman Theodore Te said the high court issued a status quo ante order directing the parties to observe the status before Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana came out with a memorandum on August 7 instructing the military to facilitate the burial. The SC also postponed the oral arguments on the issue, initially set for Wednesday, to 10 a.m. of August 31. Petitioners of the burial, some of them Martial Law victims and former government officials, have urged the SC to shot down the impending burial backed by President Rodrigo Duterte, citing Marcos’ dubious record as a war soldier and massive human rights violations and corruption that tainted his 20-year rule. The government opted to go strictly by the book, emphasizing that the directive is within Duterte’s powers under the Constitution and the Administrative Code. Marcos, however, would not gain the status of a “hero” as Read More …