Maniolas

By Jelly F. Nepomuceno President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ambassador to the Philippines Capaya Rodriguez Gonzalez; Islamic Republic of Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines Hazim Ahmed Mahmud Al-Yousifi; Republic of Brazil Ambassador to the Philippines Rodrigo do Amaral Souza; and State of Qatar Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki for a snap shot during the Presentation of Credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (May 24). Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday expressed confusion why some of his critics described him as leader who is lacking empathy to the suffering Filipino people. ”You know I looked for definition of empathy because, actually, I cannot understand if that criticism has basis,” President Aquino said in a media interview during the launching of the Balog-Balog-Multipurpose Project in San Jose, Tarlac. From Wikipedia, the President said “empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another being is experiencing from within the other being’s frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place oneself in another’s position.” He also cited definition of empathy from Merriam-Webster which states: “The feeling that you understand and share another person’s experience and emotions. The ability to share someone [else’s feelings].” To probe his critics wrong, President Aquino cited two events where he showed ‘empathy’ to the suffering victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013 and of the Zamboanga Read More …

Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte oversee the opening of the ballot boxes containing Certificates of Canvass at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The Joint Congress convened to canvass votes for the presidential and vice-presidential races.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II on Thursday said discrepancies that may be found by Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) for votes for president and vice president, do not immediately point to election irregularities or manipulation. Gonzales, head of the canvassing panel of the House of Representatives, said “Kami sa NBOC, we are just doing our ministerial duty na pagbibilang ng mga boto.” If there are discrepancies between the electronic and hard copies of the Certificates of Canvass (COC), the NBOC refers them to the Board of Canvassers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Gonzales explained. Comelec will then determine the reason for the discrepancy in the votes reflected in the electronic and hard copies. “Kung may pagkakaiba, then pinapupunta lang namin yung mga board of canvassers para lang ipaliwanag yung pagkakaiba at hindi nangangahulugan na mayroong manipulasyon,” Gonzales said. “Ang batayan namin sa electronic system would be the electronically transmitted results. Ang task is i-prepare namin yung boto na nakalagay diyan for president and vice president at kung nagta-tally ito pareho sa hard copy ng COC na manually pinadala sa amin,” Gonzales said. On Wednesday, NBOC deferred the canvassing of votes from the provinces of Laguna, Davao del Norte, and Ilocos Read More …

“The Dr. Oz Show” is proud to lead the Books Across America effort to give more children access to books and a chance at a brighter future,” said Dr. Oz(photo courtesy of http://www.kctv5.com/) Sacramento, Calif.— On Wednesday, May 25, “Books Across America” launches with “The Dr. Oz Show,” UPS, Scholastic, and the National WIC Association (NWA), a nationwide book drive and week-long campaign, May 25 to May 31. The drive aims to get books into the hands of children across the country ages 0 to 5. The campaign was inspired by First 5 California’s Talk. Read. Sing.® public service media campaign, which encourages parents and caregivers to verbally interact with children from birth which, research shows aids in brain development. “The Dr. Oz Show” is proud to lead the Books Across America effort to give more children access to books and a chance at a brighter future,” said Dr. Oz. “Too many children in our country lack this basic resource. Through our partnership with UPS, NWA, Scholastic, First 5 California, and individuals’ generous donations, we not only are distributing books, but helping to educate parents and caregivers about why talking, reading, and singing to children regularly is critical to their healthy brain development.” Participating The UPS Store locations nationwide will collect book donations from individuals who drop them off. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will distribute the books to families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at various clinic locations in partnership with NWA.Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher Read More …

Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte speaks at a press conference in Davao City, Monday. Duterte expressed openness on the return to the Philippines of Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, to participate in peace talks.(MNS photo) DAVAO CITY, May 26 (Mabuhay) – Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday disclosed that he talked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the Canadian kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf group and other concerns. In a press conference which started before midnight on Wednesday, Duterte said he and Trudeau had a talk over the phone at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Manila time. Among the topics they discussed were respect for human rights and the Canadian hostage of the Abu Sayyaf group. Duterte described their conversation as a “civil one.” “We are partners, we remain to be partners for all time. I’m aware there are Filipinos, a lot are working there, some are immigrants and I’m happy they have found protection in your labor laws,” Duterte quoted himself as saying, when asked what he told the Canadian leader. The long-time Davao City mayor said he also apologized that Canadian citizens were kidnapped in the Philippines. One of the two Canadian hostages, John Ridsdel, was beheaded late April after the bandit group’s ransom demand was not met. His head was found April 25 in Jolo, Sulu. “I said I’m very sorry for the incident which resulted in the killing of your national and we Read More …

Supporters of Leni Robredo hold a rally outside the Batasang Pambansa on Wednesday, as the Joint Session of Congress starts the canvassing of votes for president and vice president. The group pushed for a joint proclamation of the winners in the May 9 presidential and vice-presidential elections.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Leading vice presidential candidate Rep. Leni Robredo on Wednesday expressed concern about reports that the camp of rival Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is allegedly calling for “people power” to protest her proclamation. “Kagaya kahapon na may nagpadala sa atin ng videos at pictures na umiikot karamihan sa mga informal settlers na sites na nag-e-encourage ng people power at nagsasabi na sila yung panalo,” Robredo claimed during a press conference in Quezon City. Marcos is the son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was ousted from Malacañang in 1986 by a people power revolt. The uprising installed into power former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, mother of incumbent President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Former president Marcos, who died while on exile in Hawaii in 1989, was accused of committing human rights abuses and siphoning off some $10 billion from state coffers during his two-decade rule from 1965 to 1986. Meanwhile, Robredo remains confident that she will be proclaimed vice president. “Confident naman ako na kung ano yung katotohanan yun ang lalabas… Parang nakakalungkot lang na parang tine-take advantage yung hindi pagkaalam ng tao para paniwalaan yung isang kasinungalingan,” Robredo said. “Yung sa akin lahat naman tayo may karapatang Read More …