Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, witness as Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor signs in the Palace guest book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the Prime Minister’s Working Visit to the Philippines and to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Thursday (March 27). MANILA (Mabuhay) — The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law will be submitted to Congress when it resumes session in July, Malacañang and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) committed on Tuesday. “At present, efforts have already been made to coordinate with the Senate and House leadership to ensure that the draft BBL is submitted to Congress when sessions resume in July,” Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal said in a joint statement released Tuesday. The BBL will formalize the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Its draft, which was crafted by the 15-member BTC, was based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed late March. Ochoa and Iqbal said they acknowledge the urgency behind the passage of the BBL but that they also recognize that a “thorough, extensive and comprehensive review of the draft law’s numerous provisions is a necessary part of the process to ensure that these are consistent with what the parties agreed upon in the 17 years of peace negotiation.” “We believe that investing time in Read More …

Officers of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) led by general manager Eduardo Chu launch its monthly Manila Bay port clean-up campaign on Monday (July 29, 2013) at the Navotas Fish Port complex in Navotas City. (MNS photo) BRUSSELS (AFP) – The EU warned Tuesday the Philippines, one of the world’s largest fishing nations, and Papua New Guinea that they faced an import ban if they do not curb illegal fishing. The European Commission said it had failed to make progress in talks with both countries and decided to issue a formal warning – a “yellow card” – that they must reach European Union standards on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. If the Philippines, listed as the 12th biggest global fishing nation, and PNG fail to come up to scratch “through dialogue and cooperation … then the EU can proceed to trade measures,” it said. The position will be reviewed in six months time to see if the two countries have made enough progress on action plans drawn up by the EU, it added. In March, the EU banned fish imports from Belize, Cambodia and Guinea for “acting insufficiently against illegal fishing.” The Commission similarly warned Panama, Fiji, Togo, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu in 2012 and South Korea, Ghana and Curacao in 2013 but said Tuesday most of these countries had “cooperated constructively” with Brussels. Illegal fishing is estimated to account for 15 percent of the world catch annually, with the EU importing about 65 percent of its seafood. Fisheries Read More …

Ken Alfonso jumpstarts showbiz career with a single titled “Umaasa.”

Phil and James played with football stars of Manchester United Legends Paul Scholes and Andy Cole.

Christine Love, a two-time winner of an Aliw Award, will be singing the Star Spangled Banner on the said Filipino Heritage Night. This will be the first time that a Filipino artist has been selected to sing the U.S. National Anthem in this annual celebration of Filipino culture. The Los Angeles Dodgers is hosting its 5th Annual Filipino Heritage Night on Friday, June 13 at the 56,000-seater Dodger Stadium. This is to honor the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day (June 12). Christine Love, a two-time winner of an Aliw Award, will be singing the Star Spangled Banner on the said Filipino Heritage Night. Through the efforts of Mutch Cariño of Maxx Promos, it will be the first time that a Filipino artist has been selected to sing the U.S. National Anthem in this annual celebration of Filipino culture. The L.A. Dodgers will be facing the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m., wherein everyone will enjoy a spectacular “Friday Night Fireworks” show after the game. The Filipino Heritage Night offers a Special Event Ticket package that includes: • A commemorative Dodger Filipino Heritage Night T-shirt • Access to the Coca-Cola All You Can Eat Pavilion • Unlimited Dodger Dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and soda A portion of the proceeds from this event will directly support the American Red Cross in their Philippine Typhoon relief efforts. Groups of 20 or more tickets can be purchased by calling the Dodger Group Sales department at 323-DODGERS or by emailing britnih@ladodgers.com. Groups of 20 or more will also receive special benefits including a personalized group Read More …