Maniolas

By Lilian C. Mellejor — President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Natural Science Museum during the inauguration of the Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in Sitio Tumalite, Barangay La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental on Wednesday (May 4, 2016). (MNS photo) HAMIGUITAN, Davao Oriental (PNA) – President Benigno Aquino III officially opened the Mt. Hamiguitan Eco Park and Interpretation Site which also houses the Natural Science Museum on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Aquino, who together with Governor Corazon Malanyaon unveiled the park’s marker, lauded the opening as it would serve as a critical habitat to protect biodiversity. He said the site will spike tourist arrivals in the province and open more opportunities for jobs and livelihood. As he is bowing out of office in June, President Aquino said he is leaving as legacy to the province the improved roads to the heritage site. President Aquino unveils the marker of the Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in Davao OrientalPresident Benigno S. Aquino III unveils the marker of the Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in Sitio Tumalite, Barangay La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental on Wednesday (May 4, 2016). Also in photo are Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Senen Sarmiento, Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon, and San Isidro, Davao Oriental Mayor Justina Yu. (MNS photo) The national government has complemented building of roads and bridges in the province at the cost of Php236 million. Governor Malanyaon thanked the President for his administration’s support to Read More …

Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte holds a national flag during a motorcade as he campaigns in Malabon, Thursday. The frontrunner has a double-digit lead based on election surveys released recently with only 10 days left before election day.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo has endorsed the candidacies of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for president and vice president, respectively, for the May 9 elections. According to a report on Eagle News, the official online news site of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, on Thursday, Duterte and Marcos’ names were contained in sample ballots that were distributed to all Iglesia Ni Cristo members. Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Santiago (right) and vice-presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left), the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, gesture to supporters during a campaign rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Tuesday, at the start of the campaign for the May 10 national elections.(MNS photo) For senatorial candidates, the influential religious group throws its support behind the following: former TESDA chief Joel Villanueva, former senator Dick Gordon, Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Sen. Ralph Recto, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Vicente Sotto, Valenzuela Rep. Win Gatchalian, former Senator Panfilo Lacson and former Senator Migz Zubiri Iglesia Ni Cristo, with its membership of close to 2 million, is known to practice bloc voting during elections. (MNS)

Zsa Zsa Padilla and Conrad Onglao (MNS Photo) Actress-singer Zsa Zsa Padilla has called off her engagement with architect Conrad Onglao, her daughter Karylle confirmed. Speaking to reporters at a campaign sortie for a presidential candidate, the 35-year-old Karylle said that Padilla and Onglao have split and has asked for the press to give her mother “time to heal.” “May mga moments katulad nito na kailangan lang maging private,” she said, refusing to reveal more details about the break-up. “I’ll leave it to my mom to explain.” In a statement released through her talent manager, Padilla said that both she and Onglao tried to save their relationship. “It didn’t work out,” she said. Back in March, Padilla told reporters that she was already planning her wedding with Onglao and that it would happen sometime this year. Padilla, at the time, admitted that she wants an intimate ceremony. Padilla and Onglao, who proposed to the actress in August last year, have been a couple for more than two years. Before Onglao, Padilla was the long-time partner of the late Comedy King Dolphy. She was also married to dentist Modesto Tatlonghari, the father of Karylle. They separated in 1987. Onglao, on the other hand, was previously married to interior designer Ivy Almario, with whom he has two sons. They were divorced in the United States and obtained a legal separation, and church annulment here in the Philippines. (MNS)

Consulate reminds Filipino citizens who wish to cast their PHL votes to come now until May 9 (photo courtesy of Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, CA) Overseas Voters registered with the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles are being reminded that voters who have received their ballots should mail back their accomplished ballots as soon as possible in order for USPS to be able to deliver them to the Consulate General on or before 06 May 2016 (Friday) in time for the May 9 (Monday) 2 a.m. deadline for the receipt of ballots. Please be informed that USPS does not deliver mails on weekends to the Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles.  Voters who may want to ensure that their ballots be received by the Consulate General before 2:00 am of 09 May 2016, may wish to personally deliver/submit their accomplished ballots at the Consulate’s Polling Place. Undelivered/returned ballots by U.S. Postal Service due to insufficient or incomplete address may still CAST their votes personally at the Philippine Consulate General. List of undelivered/returned ballots can be viewed on this link: http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/announcement-undeliveredreturned-ballots PERSONAL VOTING Overseas Voters in Los Angeles Country should drop by the Consulate to cast their ballots personally at the Philippine Consulate General, located at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90010 The polling place is open daily including Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On May 6, , Sunday, the Voting Center will be open from 8 a.m. up to 2 a.m. of Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with Pamplona, Cagayan Mayor Aaron Sampaga; Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson; and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, the President leads the inaugural drive-thru of the new Pamplona Bridge during the inauguration Ceremony in Barangay Masi, Pamplona, Cagayan on Monday (May 02). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Survey front runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was again the target of President Benigno Aquino III’s campaign speech in Iloilo on Tuesday, wherein he questioned Duterte’s style of leadership. Aquino said Duterte acts like a dictator who threatens to violate the Constitution, citing the mayor’s statement that he will close down Congress to thwart attempts to have him impeached over allegations of hidden wealth. “Pinag-aralan ko po ‘yung ating Saligang Batas at hinahamon ko po kayo lahat dito, lahat ng nakikinig sa atin, hanapin niyo sa Saligang Batas: Saan ang kapangyarihan ng Presidente na i-abolish ang Kongreso?” Aquino told the crowd gathered at the Plazoleta Gay in Iloilo Tuesday night. Iloilo is considered a bailiwick of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), with party stalwart Senate President Franklin Drilon hailing from the said province. “I-abolish rin ang Supreme Court, baka iyon ang susunod, ewan ko. Pero hanapin ho niyo, walang ganung karapatan. Sinasabi nga ho: Sa Saligang Batas, co-equal branch e. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin no’n? Kapag umabuso si Presidente, nandiyan ‘yung Kongreso sa pamamagitan ng impeachment, pananagutin,” Aquino further said. “Kapag umabuso ‘yung Kongreso at ‘yung Presidente, nandiyan ‘yung Supreme Court, pwedeng tingnan Read More …