Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Vice President Jejomar Binay during the79th Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Day Celebration at the AFP General Headquarters Grandstand of the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday (December 18, 2014). This year’s theme is: “Sandatahang Lakas: Ika-79 na Taong Naglilingkod ng Tapat tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan”. (MNS photo) MANILA, Apr 28 (Mabuhay) – Former rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson admitted Tuesday that Vice President Jejomar Binay asked him if he is interested in becoming his running-mate in the 2016 election. Lacson said Binay once asked him about his political plans and whether he would be open to joining forces. “During one of the Cabinet meetings we were seated together and he whispered to me: ‘Ano ang plano mo?’ Sabi ko: ‘Wala pa nga e.’ Sabi niya: ‘Magsama na lang tayo.’” “After that, I haven’t considered anything yet. Basta ang importante lang is to improve on my numbers, nandoon ang focus muna. I haven’t decided nga e. You cannot put the cart in front of the horse.” Asked if he is closed to the idea of running with Binay, Lacson said: “Not at all.” Lacson said he is still getting the public’s pulse on his possible bid for the presidency in 2016. The former senator ran for president in 2004 and placed third in the race with over 3 million votes, behind Fernando Poe Jnr and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Lacson said his political plans would depend on how Read More …

Jinkee Pacquiao says Manny needs to knock out Mayweather Andrew Lincoln looks forward to ‘Walking Dead’ movie version Talk N’ Text import Johnson has been a ‘menace’ says Guiao Tree planting, surveys DENR’s top programs—Paje Duterte applies brakes on speeding Binay not speaking for gov’t—Palace Thousands beg Australia not to deport autistic Filipino boy Halt Indonesia executions until graft claims probed—Australia MANILA, Philippines–Oil firms are raising pump prices this week amid continued buying in the regional market. Petron, Shell, Chevron, Seaoil, Total, Eastern Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Flying V and Phoenix Petroleum are set to hike prices by 70 centavos per liter for gasoline and 30 for diesel beginning Tuesday. Fuel prices were also raised last week following two weeks of rollbacks. The total price increase since January for gasoline is P3.07 per liter and 39 centavos per liter for diesel. International market reports said fuel inventories continued to rise even as the number of active US oil rigs continued to plunge.–Riza T. Olchondra Get Inquirer updates while on the go, add us on these apps: Tags: diesel Gasoline oil price hikes Philippines Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, Read More …

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is keen on including in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law a provision that would state that the Bangsamoro political entity will remain part of the national territory of the Philippines. He said the inclusion of such provision is needed to allay fears that the BBL will be used to separate the Bangsamoro entity from the country. “Kailangan nating ilagay dahil baka nangangamba na ito ay hakbang sa paghihiwalay ng Bangsamoro sa Pilipinas,” Marcos said in a phone interview with reporters Thursday. Marcos said the same provision is stated in Article III, Section 1 of the Organic Act, which created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The provision states: “Integral Part of the Republic. – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall remain an integral and inseparable part of the national territory of the Republic as defined by the Constitution and existing laws.” Marcos, chairman of the committee on local government discussing BBL, said he asked the peace panel why such provision was not included in the draft BBL. He said the panel told him there is no need to because the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has no plan of separating from the Philippines. “Ang sabi ng peace panel, hindi naman daw kailangan, hindi naman daw nila planong gawin kaya there is no need to put it. Parang wala naman daw tayong tiwala sa MILF sa kanilang pangako,” he said. “Sinasabi ko na kung yan ang balak nila, bakit hindi na lang natin ilagay. Read More …

(Family Features) Busy weeknights call for meals you can prepare quickly, but there’s no need to compromise on flavor and quality. One way to save time is combining fresh ingredients with frozen sides, such as those offered by Alexia Foods. Made with premium, natural ingredients and creative flavor combinations, they lend a deliciously gourmet complement to any meal. Don’t be fooled by the complex flavors of these dishes — they’re surprisingly fast to prepare, requiring only about thirty minutes of hands-on time (or less). For more time-saving recipes featuring real ingredients that serve-up exceptional taste, visit www.alexiafoods.com. Chicken Paella with French Green Beans Chicken Paella with French Green Beans Hands-on: 30 minutes Total: 60 minutes Servings: 6 (1 2/3 cups each) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 small onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 1/2 cups parboiled white long-grain rice, uncooked 2 cups chicken broth 1 can (14.5 ounces) Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes, undrained 1 package (11 ounces) Alexia French Herb Green Beans 1/3 cup sliced ripe olives 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley Lemon wedges Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper. Cook 7–9 minutes or until golden brown on all sides. Transfer to plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and heat. Add onion, garlic and paprika. Cook 3–5 minutes or until Read More …

‘Furious 7’ zooms past $1 billion mark Video: Islamist ISIS kills Ethiopian Christians in Libya BIFF attacks Army, PNP posts in Maguindanao Meet Cody and Caleb Walker, the men who filled in for Paul Walker in ‘Furious’ 7 Studies: Merck drug Keytruda effective against 3 cancers Report: Kuwait discovers 4 new oil fields in kingdom Pagasa issues thunderstorm warning over Metro Manila Top Islamic leader meets Senate leaders, pushes BBL Philippine stocks pared losses early Monday but still ended in negative territory, in line with the rest of Asia. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed down 1.03 percent, or 81.62 points, to 7,865.27, or still within a trading range that analysts said the measure would trade at this week. The broader all-shares index was down 0.94 percent, or 42.69 points, to 4,494.17. Stock across the region were also in the red as stimulus efforts in China aimed at countering slowing growth failed to lure investors back into the market. In the Philippines, foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of P703.8 million Monday, data from the PSE showed. A total of 1.14 billion shares changed hands for P18.57 billion. The volume spike was mainly due to a block sale of about P9.97 billion worth of Rizal Commercial Banking Cop. shares. It closed Monday an investment deal allowing a unit of Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. to take a 20-percent stake in RCBC at P64 a share. Miguel R. Camus Get Inquirer updates while on the go, add Read More …