Maniolas

At a media forum, lawyer Levito Baligod said he culled the names of those involved in the multimillion peso anomaly through various interviews and there is no “Benhur List.” Baligod used to be the counsel for whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Merlina Suñas. MANILA (Mabuhay) — Another whistleblower in the pork barrel scam case has dropped Atty. Levito Baligod as her lawyer. In a one-page letter dated May 23, Friday, Merlina Suñas said she has decided to “continue [her] battles” without the guidance of Baligod. Suñas, however, did not provide any reason as to why she came up with the decision. She thanked Baligod for standing beside her “despite all the difficulties that we encountered along the way.” “Regrettably, I have decided to continue my battles without you guiding me.” “I would like to thank you for your time and effort in protecting my rights and in representing me in my legal battles. My family and I wish you all the best, both in your personal and professional life,” she said. “With deepest gratitude for our friendship, I formally release you from your obligation to litigate on my behalf and to represent me as my legal counsel effective today, 23 May 2014,” Suñas added. Last March, pork scam key whisleblower Benhur Luy also dropped Baligod as his counsel, saying that the lawyer has been too busy attending to his “other advocacies.” Baligod, for his part, has admitted he has been busy with other witnesses and concerns because of the number of Read More …

Those who are considering to upgrade their laptops, Dell releases its Inspiron 14 3000, plus 14 and 15 5000 series.

Remembering happy times with our ‘Teddy Bear’ By Myrna Aquitania David Casuco, flanked by his best friends Myrna Aquitania and Lydia Solis of Philippine News (right). The sad news on the sudden passing of our “Teddy Bear” David Casuco was not only shocking but numbing. Media colleague Lydia Solis (of Philippine News) and I shared Dave as our “huggable Teddy Bear” – a caring, charming and lovable friend. Though I’ve never met his family, Dave would relate how happy he was whenever he went home to his family on weekends to bond with them, particularly his son, Justin, who he spoke of so lovingly; He enjoyed playing with their dog, cleaning him up and dog-sitting. There were times when he would call me from the Greyhound station in Rosemead, to ask if I could pick him up so we could have lunch in Chinatown or to his favorite restaurant called Pista Sa Barrio in Eagle Rock, whom he called the place that served his “to die for” pancit bihon and surely, we always had fun bonding whenever we were together. Looking back, Dave strived to win the weekly “Biggest Loser” contest at the Balita/US Asian Post office, where he was our outstanding editor. He had quite a sense of humor, which only a few of us knew; he had the ability to make you laugh, particularly when he related his stories of the ‘aswangs” who “followed” him when he visited Siquijor. Once, the three of us (Lydia, Dave and I) Read More …

U.S. Navy CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters take off from the USS Bonhomme Richard during aviation operations exercises in the East China Sea, April 23, 2014. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III will inspect an upgraded naval post tasked to defend Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea, or the South China Sea, amid territorial issues with the country’s giant neighbor China, Malacañang announced Monday. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino will witness the capability demonstration of the Naval Forces West (NFW) Command Center and the conceptual master plan of the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan (NSCC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Tuesday. He said NFW, the Navy’s primary operational command securing the West Philippine Sea, is at the “forefront” of territorial defense operations in the Kalayaan Island Group. “Its upgraded Command Center, equipped with secure communications equipment and a satellite-based vessel tracking system, will further bolster our defense capabilities and ensure stability in the area,” Laciera said in a news conference. Lacierda said NSCC has been “slated for redevelopment,” which includes the rehabilitation of the pier, living quarters, and other support facilities. “These efforts are in line with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), through which we hope to further improve our defense capacities,” he said. Lacierda said the government will also commemorate during Tuesday’s event the sacrifice of Marine personnel who “bravely devoted themselves to protecting our territorial and maritime borders.” “We recognize their hard work and dedication, Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers addresses the 23rd World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) 2014 Opening Plenary at the Tacloban A & B, 2nd Floor, of the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City on Thursday (May 22, 2014). With theme: “Leveraging Growth for Equitable Progress.” The meeting will serve as an ideal platform for participants to deliberate the opportunities of the ASEAN Economic Community to promote greater inclusion across East Asia and to instill more resilient decision-making in the face of unpredictable economic and natural disruptions. More than 600 leaders from business, government, civil society and academia will participate, representing over 30 countries. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denied on Monday that the Philippine government is engaged in espionage after a Filipino was sentenced to death in Qatar for allegedly committing the said offense. Two other Filipinos charged for the same crime were meted life imprisonment by a lower court in Qatar. “We categorically deny that we are engaged in espionage,” Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose told reporters in a text message. The men, according to reports, were charged with providing information “to intelligence officials in the Philippines about Qatar’s aircraft, weaponry, maintenance and servicing records, as well as specific details about the names, ranks and phone numbers of staff members.” Jose said the Philippine government has raised this issue in several high-level meetings with Qatari officials. He did not provide the identity of the three Filipinos, but said the one sentenced to Read More …