Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Positive developments abroad during the Lenten holidays carried the benchmark index past the 6,700 level for the first time this year. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 1.44 percent or 96.33 points to 6,767.51, its best since closing at 6,800.11 on July 25, 2013. The broader all shares index jumped 1.26 percent or 50.74 points to 4,063.77. “A favorable newsfront over an extended Lenten weekend delivered positive impetus to this week’s opening trades, extending the PSEi’s winning run to a third day and validating the 6,570 to 6,600 support band,” said Justino Calaycay Jr., an analyst at Accord Capital Equities Corp. “This is a positive reaction to international markets, which strongly moved up over the long weekend and Lenten break due to positive economic data in the US,” Nisha S. Alicer, research strategist at DA Market Securities, said in a text message. For instance, tensions in the Ukraine eased following a pact reached by the Western allies and Russia, Calaycay said, adding that positive numbers emerged from the US on the jobs and manufacturing fronts. In contrast, Asian markets lacked buying leads and closed silently yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slightly fell 0.03 percent or 3.89 points to 14,512.38. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the local scene, all counters ended in positive territory, paced by the service sector that rallied 2.22 percent or 43.69 points to 2,014.24 while property firms surged 2.21 percent or 57.59 points to 2,663.10. “Locally, we’re getting positive Read More …

That’s me with Mike Enriquez and Fr. Jerry Orbos at the Temptation Restaurant in Jericho where you can find the best lamb chops in the world! Ito nama’y sa ganang akin at sa gana nang kainin! From left: A Man of the Cough (‘Ehem, excuse me po!’), A Man of the Cloth and A Man of the Loin Cloth (Starzan eh!). Nang sa Terra Sancta o Holy Land nagtungo Nung ikalawang linggo ng buwan ng Marso At nang kami’y nananghalian sa Jericho, Nakita si Father Orbos at kanyang grupo. Sa isang kainan na tigilan ng tao Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Na mga manlalakbay nagkikita dito — The Temptation Restaurant ang pangalan nito At sa Mountain of Temptation malapit ito. At kami ni Mike Enriquez na kasama ko, Nagpalitan ng pagbati at mga kwento, Nasabi nga naming akalain ba n’yo Na sa dami ng lugar nagkita pa dito. Katatapos lang kumain ng aming grupo At sina Father Jerry dumating na bago, At sa kanya rin ay masayang naikwento — Pinaka-THE BEST na LAMB CHOPS nakain dito! At kami ay nagulat sa sinagot nito — Na kaya nga rin sila tumitigil dito Sa tuwing daraan sa panig ng Jericho Ay dahil sa Lamb Chops na kanyang gustong-gusto! He, he, he… o di ngayon nakita rin ninyo — Kaming lahat mga pangkaraniwang tao, Sa Banal na Paglalakbay na tulad nito, Busog sa Lamb of God… at Lamb Chops sigurado! Iisipin n’yo bang dito pa sa Jericho Itong si Read More …

The United States on Tuesday asked North Korea to look at Iran’s example, saying it was willing to negotiate with a hostile nation when it is “serious” about its promises.

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Local and foreign business groups have warned anew of a more serious economic damage that the expanded truck ban policy may cause when the volume of trucks coming in and out of the port of Manila picks up in the next two months. The situation will require better and more inclusive solutions that will ensure a more efficient use of the Manila port and better utilization of those in Batangas and Subic, according to the Joint Foreign Chambers and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. in a joint statement on Sunday. “We are aware that individual stakeholders discuss solutions with individual affected parties at the moment, but the fact remains that only an inclusive stakeholders’ roundtable can assess the magnitude and the complexity of the issue and develop short, mid-term, and long-term solutions for the Manila port and the usage of the ports of Batangas and Subic,” the groups explained in the statement. “The business community is of the opinion that such roundtable should be headed by the national government, preferably a senior Cabinet member, to drive the search for solutions and see to it that those are implemented. In our opinion that inclusive roundtable should take place now, before the trade volume picks up in a month or two, which will aggravate the logistics situation,” they further stressed. Stakeholders that should be invited in the dialogue include the port operators; shipping lines; truckers; local government units of Manila, Caloocan, and Read More …

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has yet to receive the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) report on the investigation it conducted on the alleged $30-million extortion claim against Metro Rail Transit general manager Al Vitangcol III. De Lima on Friday admitted that while the NBI fact-finding team has completed its investigation on the controversy, the report still has to be reviewed by the bureau’s legal division. “Ganoon ang SOP [standard operating procedure] sa NBI. Before they submit officially a report or before they release the transmittal, kung may papakasuhan nire-review muna iyan ng legal to make sure that the legal aspects are grounded on solid basis,” she said. De Lima said from the NBI legal department, the report will next land on the desk of NBI Director Virgilio Mendoza for his approval. Only after Mendez has given his go signal will the report be transmitted to De Lima’s office. “Since this is a high profile case, they might clear it with me before it is finally released,” De Lima said. “So I am actually waiting for it already. Standby na ako dyan sa report na iyan.” Earlier reports, citing leaked documents, claimed that Vitangcol was cleared from possible charges for lack of evidence, and that claims that he demanded money from Czech firm Inekon Group was not corroborated. The NBI investigated the alleged extortion upon instructions from President Benigno Aquino III. Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar claimed Vitangcol and other officials tried to extort $30 million from Inekon in order for Read More …