General – Page 5

Duterte will act like a statesman

General

May 112016

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte arrives to a cheering crowd for his campaign sortie in Tondo, Manila on Tuesday. Duterte kicked off his 90-day campaign addressing Tondo residents, mostly migrants from Visayas and Mindanao, with a promise of decentralizing development in the country.(MNS photo) DAVAO CITY (Mabuhay) – Presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is ready to be a statesman, contrary to public expectations. His common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña said Duterte’s tough-talking image is just something he donned for the vicious campaign period. “The character that he projected during the campaign was the character very appropriate for the campaign period kasi awayan iyan eh. Presidency, are you still going to don such character when you should act like a statesman?” she said early Tuesday morning. Describing the campaign as a battle between lions and tigers, Avanceña said Duterte needed to put on his tough hat to survive. “Pero ano siya, he respects the position. Presidente na siya ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Lawyer siya eh. Alam niya iyong pinasok niya. Alam niya iyong panghahawakan niyang position,” she said. During a program aired on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s broadcasting arm Sonshine Media on Monday night up to early Tuesday, Duterte also said that he will behave well if he begins to serve as President of the Philippines. Although Duterte was leading by a large margin when the interview was conducted, Avanceña remained unassuming, saying that nothing is final yet until Duterte is proclaimed president. When that time comes, she said Duterte will Read More …

US, Australian embassies send foreign observers for polls

General

May 102016

US, Australian embassies send foreign observers for polls

Members of the Compact for Peaceful and Democratic Election (COMPACT) launch the 2016 International Observer Mission(IOM), in an effort to ensure free, peaceful and fair elections in Quezon City, Friday. Fifteen foreign observers will monitor the conduct and outcome of upcoming elections.(MNS photo) DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) – The embassies of the United States of America and Australia in Manila have sent some personnel to Negros Oriental to act as observers in Monday’s synchronized polls. Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, acting provincial election supervisor of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), confirmed that the foreign observers have coordinated with him prior to Monday’s elections. Castillano disclosed he has met with two people from the US Embassy and two others from the Australian Embassy. The American foreign observers will visit four schools in Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, while the Australian Embassy personnel were scheduled to visit Dauin town and also some schools in Dumaguete, Castillano further disclosed. As observers, Castillano said they are accredited by the Comelec and have a checklist of what to do. They don’t meddle, they don’t question the voters and before they can enter the voting precinct, they have to ask permission from the BEI, he added. The Australian Embassy duo were spotted at the Dumaguete City High School in Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete on Monday morning. They declined an interview by this reporter but in a casual conversation they expressed appreciation of the “democracy” experienced by the Filipinos and how “passionate” the Filipinos are in exercising their Read More …

Grace Poe drops by FPJ’s tomb before losing presidential race

General

May 092016

Grace Poe drops by FPJ’s tomb before losing presidential race

Senator Grace Poe ,actor, Fernando Poe Jr., presidential candidate ,Manila North Cemetery , FPJ, Santa Lucia Elementary School , presidential campaign, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, MANILA, May 9 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe went to the tomb of her late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., before casting her vote in San Juan. The presidential candidate stopped by the Manila North Cemetery to pay her respects to the elder Poe, more popularly known as FPJ, before heading to Santa Lucia Elementary School to vote. At the cemetery, the senator said she makes it a point to visit her father’s tomb whenever there is an important occasion in her life. After casting her vote, Poe admitted she was emotional at the conclusion of her presidential campaign. “Talagang isang madamdamin itong araw na ito sapagkat natapos na rin ang ating dapat gawin para sa kampanya. Naging maayos ang aking pakikitungo sa abot ng aking makakaya dito sa eleksyon na ito. At para sa akin inaalay ko ito sa Diyos, sa aking ama at sa ating mga kababayan,” she said. The senator said she is dedicating her presidential bid to her father because his popularity enabled voters to become familiar with her. “Hindi naman ako makikilala ng ating mga kababayan kung hindi dahil sa kanya (FPJ) kaya nga hinahandog ko rin ito sa kanya,” she said. The late actor ran for president in the 2004 elections but lost to then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His camp alleged that he was cheated of victory in the presidential Read More …

DepEd reminds teachers: Stay neutral, non-partisan

General

May 072016

DepEd reminds teachers: Stay neutral, non-partisan

Comelec-accredited Quezon City employees unload boxes of official ballots to be used for the 2016 national elections as other Comelec officials and police officers keep watch on Sunday at the Quezon City Hall. The poll body started distributing machines and election paraphernalia to precincts nationwide.(MNS photo) MANILA (PNA) – Stay neutral and non-partisan, the Department of Education (DepEd) reminded public school teachers as they perform election duties on the upcoming May 9 polls. ”The Department of Education is confident that our public school teachers will rise to the occasion and take on the responsibility – as they have done in the past – to serve the country,” said Education Sec. Armin Luistro said in a statement. On election day, teachers will serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), support staff, polling center supervisors, and member of the board of canvassers. Luistro assured the department will coordinate closely with local officials and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure the safety of the teachers who will render their service during the polls. The agency has also reactivated its Election Task Force (ETF) Operation Center at its central office in Pasig. The ETF will provide teachers with adequate information as well as technical and legal assistance in the course of the performance of their duties. The ETF Operation Center will be established in the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office in Pasig starting 1 p.m. of May 8 until 6 p.m of May 10. ”DepEd believes that our school Read More …

Rita Avila’s book encourages children to become ‘angels on earth’

General

May 052016

Rita Avila’s book encourages children to become ‘angels on earth’

Rita Avila (MNS Photo) Grief can consume us leading to depression. It is how we deal with grief that spells the big difference in our earthly life. This somehow is the underlying philosophy that actress Rita Avila wants to impart to people in general and not only to readers of her books. You see, she is not only a talented and awarded actress, she is also an author. All the grief she felt when she and husband TV director Erick M. Reyes lost their son Elia Jesu (named after Erick’s favorite director Elia Kazan) to congenital heart ailment when he was only three-week old, she translated into something positive. She transformed all those sad feelings into an inspirational book entitled “8 Ways to Comfort With Grace.” Rita doesn’t just write books – she writes them with a purpose. For instance, her first book, “Si Erik Tutpik at si Ana Taba,” which was actually based on her and Erick’s childhood experiences, is about children who experienced bullying. When they were young, Erick was thin, while Rita was chubby. So naturally, they were subject to bullying. After this, Rita started number one of her “The Invisible Wings.” And just this year, she came out with number two, “The Invisible Wings 2 (Little Sacrifices and Rewards),” which she dedicated to “our angel son, Elia Jesu E. Reyes” and starring once more Mimay, Popoy and Pony who wanted to become “angels on earth.” Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Read More …

Why Sarah avoids doing teleseryes

General

Apr 242016

Sarah Geronimo (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — It’s been years since Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo appeared on a teleserye and fans have been wondering if they’ll get to see their idol do one more having signed a new, two-year contract with ABS-CBN recently. Well, the fans may have to wait a bit more as the 27-year-old singer-actress is not keen on it for now. “Kasi sobrang napapagod ’yung boses ko,” she explained. Nevertheless, Sarah is open to accepting movie projects. “Hopefully makakuha ako ng movie project na talagang ma-i-in love ako at ma-i-inspire akong gawin at gustong-gusto kong gawin. Hindi ’yung parang, ‘Sige gawin na lang natin para may pelikula ka,’ ganu’n,” she said. Sarah is focusing on her singing career, which is the reason she’s not on the upcoming season of “The Voice Kids Philippines.” “Gusto ko lang bumalik sa ‘ASAP,’ ’yung mag-concentrate naman ako sa growth ko bilang artist. Kasi I feel na bilang coach parang lagi kong sinasabi na role playing talaga ’yung pagiging coach eh, ’yung para bang alam ko lahat at ’pag nagbibigay ako ng opinyon para bang ang galing-galing ko. Medyo nag-he-hesitate pa rin ako du’n eh although sobrang masaya naman talaga at fun ’yung experience,” she said. She’s not closing her doors on the possibility of returning on “The Voice Kids Philippines” in the future. “Baka next season, why not? Kung gusto pa rin nila ako maging coach,” she said. Sarah shared her excitement for her replacement on the show. “Whoever comes in, Read More …

Wong, Deguito, Bautista allow Senate to access phone records

General

Apr 202016

Wong, Deguito, Bautista allow Senate to access phone records

RCBC –Jupiter Branch Manager Maia Santos-Deguito takes an oath before testifying during a Senate hearing on the US$81 million money-laundering scandal, at the Philippines Senate on Tuesday. Deguito was summoned to shed light on the Philippines’ biggest anti-money laundering case involving money stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Key personalities involved in the $81-million money laundering scheme on Tuesday allowed a Senate panel to access their phone records in confirming how the funds stolen from the Bangladesh Bank account in New York ended up in casinos, high rollers, and junket operators. Specifically, the Senate blue ribbon committee is interested in looking into the phone records of former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Jupiter branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito, PhilRem Service Corp. president Salud Bautista and PhilRem treasurer Michael “Concon” Bautista. The committee intends to examine their phone records from February 5 to 13 – the days when cash deliveries were made by PhilRem to one Weikang Xu. During the hearing, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV asked Deguito, Wong, and Michael and Salud Bautista to write each other’s numbers on paper. Before the committee made decided to check their phone records, PhilRem executives butted heads with Deguito and Wong on how the money transfers were carried out. The Bautistas claimed that they informed Deguito on how much money they could raise on a certain day, which the former bank manager denied. “For the cash deliveries, wala akong instructions. I would like to believe na derecho na sila (PhilRem Read More …

House panels approve bill creating Quezon-Bicol Expressway

General

Apr 172016

House panels approve bill creating Quezon-Bicol Expressway

An aerial shot from the helicopter of the Metro Manila Development Authority shows the monstrous traffic jam at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) as vehicles bound for the 101st anniversary celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo occupy almost the entire northbound portion of the expressway. (MNS photo) MANILA (PNA) – The development and progress among regions in Southern Luzon is expected to be enhanced by a bill seeking to establish the Quezon-Bicol Expressway, which has already been endorsed for plenary approval. The House Committees on Southern Tagalog Development chaired by Rep. Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr. (2nd District, Rizal) and on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) have both approved House Bill No. 6475 or the proposed “Quezon-Bicol Expressway Act” and have endorsed it for plenary passage. The bill substituted HB 5623 authored by Rep. Scott Davies S. Lanete (3rd District, Masbate) and HB 3741 by Rep. Aleta C. Suarez (3rd District, Quezon). It provides for the creation of the Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QuBEx) which shall be financed, constructed, operated and maintained by a grantee, offeror, consortium or proponent, under and by virtue of Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by R.A. 7718, otherwise known as the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law. The QuBEx shall link the province of Quezon with the Bicol Region starting from Malicboy, Quezon and terminating in Sorsogon. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineering District concerned shall construct the connect road for the purpose of linking the terminus of the SLEX Toll Read More …

How Daniel, Erich balance work, relationship

General

Apr 122016

How Daniel, Erich balance work, relationship

Erich Gonzales (MNS photo) Erich Gonzales admitted that she was initially worried about starring with boyfriend Daniel Matsunaga on the ABS-CBN daytime series “Be My Lady” since this means being together almost all the time. “First time ko makatrabaho ang karelasyon ko so parang iniisip ko na baka hindi mag-work kasi siyempre iba ang personal life sa trabaho,” she said. But it seems she has nothing to worry about. “Everything is going well. Mas nakikilala po namin ang isa’t isa and we get to spend more time with each other. We make more memories,” she said. In fact, Matsunaga shared that they haven’t had any major fight since they officially became together last year. “Narinig namin from friends na it’s really hard to have a relationship and a show at the same time. Well, I guess, God is really good. He is really at the center of our relationship. Lahat ng opportunities na binigay sa amin, we are doing good. It’s such a blessing because we are getting to know each other better and better and we are going stronger,” he said. Daniel Matsunaga (MNS photo) But in case they encounter misunderstandings in the future, the two said they promised to resolve things immediately so as not to affect their work. “I guess, just by talking and understanding each other, [we can resolve things]. Trust is important as well,” said Matsunaga. Meanwhile, Matsunaga and Gonzales shared that they recently marked their first anniversary as a couple. Asked how they celebrated Read More …

Court reduces Pemberton’s sentence to 10 years, denies bail petition

General

Apr 052016

Court reduces Pemberton’s sentence to 10 years, denies bail petition

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (left) and US Marine officials inspect the 20-ft. shipping container which was converted into a temporary detention cell for USMC Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey Laude, in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, October 22. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 has denied the petition of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton to reverse his conviction for homicide. The court also denied the US Marine’s bail petition but lowered his jail sentence from 12 to 10 years. The family of killed Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude welcomed the court’s decision to affirm the American’s conviction. “We are happy that Pemberton’s motion for reconsideration was not fully granted. We are happy that the decision remains: that Pemberton is guilty of killing Jennifer Laude. We are happy that he was denied bail,” Atty. Harry Roque said. Although the Laude family lamented the reduction of Pemberton’s sentence from 12 to 10 years, Roque stressed that Pemberton still will not be able to request for parole. Roque also said they hope this will urge authorities to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “We are not pleased with the lighter penalty granted…We stress that the lighter penalty of 6-10 years imprisonment still disqualifies Pemberton from seeking early release through parole. He will continue to spend time in jail.,” he said. “We hope that this development will inspire a review of the VFA.” Pemberton was found guilty Read More …

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