Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The mayor of the Philippines’ main financial district was arrested Thursday for contempt and escorted to a Senate hearing to answer allegations of corruption after he repeatedly snubbed the legislature. Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. was picked up by Senate security personnel on orders of lawmakers investigating allegedly anomalous contracts in the city. Binay Jr. succeeded his father Jejomar Binay as mayor of the country’s wealthiest city after the latter was elected vice president in 2010. He was detained at the office of the Senate sergeant-at-arms then escorted to a sub-committee hearing amid shouts by his supporters. He refused to answer questions, saying his lawyers have advised him not to attend because they were questioning the Senate’s jurisdiction. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the sub-committee, took note of Binay’s position and allowed him to leave more three hours after his arrest. The Binays have emerged as a powerful political dynasty and the father has been mentioned as a possible presidential contender in 2016. They have been dogged by criticism of nepotism and alleged corruption, which they deny. “Let me be clear, we are not fighting with the Senate as an institution,” Mayor Binay told the commitee. “What we are saying is we also have rights which need to be heard.” Pimentel insisted that his sub-committee has jurisdiction. The Binays also face plunder charges before the anti-graft prosecutor for the same allegedly overpriced projects. Binay later complained at a news conference that the Senate refused Read More …

By Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) – The United States would welcome a move by Japan to extend air patrols into the South China Sea as a counterweight to a growing fleet of Chinese vessels pushing Beijing’s territorial claims in the region, a senior U.S. Navy officer told Reuters. Currently, regular patrols by Japanese aircraft only reach into the East China Sea, where Tokyo is at loggerheads with Beijing over disputed islands. Extending surveillance flights into the South China Sea will almost certainly increase tensions between the world’s second- and third-largest economies. “I think allies, partners and friends in the region will look to the Japanese more and more as a stabilizing function,” Admiral Robert Thomas, commander of the Seventh Fleet and the top U.S. navy officer in Asia, said in an interview. “In the South China Sea, frankly, the Chinese fishing fleet, the Chinese coast guard and the (navy) overmatch their neighbours,” Thomas said. China’s foreign ministry said it had no immediate comment on the interview. Thomas’s comments show Pentagon support for a key element of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push for a more active military role in the region. That is crucial because U.S and Japanese officials are now negotiating new bilateral security guidelines expected to give Japan a bigger role in the alliance, 70 years after the end of World War Two. “I think that JSDF (Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces) operations in the South China Sea makes sense in the future,” Thomas said. Read More …

Police Deputy Director General Ager P Ontog Jr, Deputy Chief PNP for Operation/ Commander National Task Force SAFE 2013 gives out guidance regarding the deployment of PNP personnel in the field especially in areas vulnerable to attacks of lawless elements in response to the call for Secure and Fair Election (SAFE 2013). MANILA, Jan 28 (Mabuhay) – No one should be spared from liability in connection with last Sunday’s supposed misencounter between elite policemen and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao, a neophyte senator said Wednesday. “People died, maraming namatay na kapulisan, hindi pwedeng mawala na lang yun. That has to be investigated and if there are charges that have to be filed, they have to be filed,” Senator Bam Aquino told reporters. Asked if the liability could go as high as Malacañang, Aquino, cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, said, “Yes.” At least 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) were killed while 12 others were wounded in an encounter with MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a splinter group of MILF, in Mamasapano town last Sunday. They were supposed to arrest Zulkipli ‘Marwan’ Hir, one of the most wanted Jemaah Islamiyah leaders operating in Southeast Asia. The leadership of the PNP claimed they were not aware of the operation. Sen. Aquino said the Senate investigation will try to find out what really happened and the incidents that led to it. The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs will Read More …

Dynamic duo: Chefs Margarita Forés and Myrna Segismundo will be cooking at Madrid Fusión 2015 in the Spanish capital This is the decade of Philippine cuisine, and one man could be credited for launching it with a big bang: Tourism  Secretary Ramon J. Jimenez Jr. He’s the one responsible for bringing Madrid Fusion Manila,  the Spanish gastronomic summit here, the first ever in Asia. Manila’s culinary world is abuzz with excitement for the forthcoming Madrid Fusión Manila 2015 slated from April 24-26 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. No stone will be left unturned in preparation for what could be the greatest gastronomic event in our history as a nation. This will be preceded by a large Philippine delegation from the government, media (including this writer) and private sectors attending the main Madrid Fusión 2015 conference at the Spanish capital next week, from Feb. 2-4. Not only will Madrid Fusión Manila 2015 be formally launched there, but also two of our kababayan chefs will showcase the wonders of our cuisine. If we have been collectively griping in the past about why Philippine cuisine hasn’t taken off internationally, this could be the singular event that could propel us to new stratospheric heights, surpassing all our Asian neighbors that have long passed their prime. I recall an interview by Carlo Tadiar (Metro Home, June-August 2008) with American author of Eat My Globe and Cutthroat Kitchen judge Simon Majumbar declaring: “I underestimated just how delicious Filipino food is. I can only say Read More …

MJ Lastimosa thanked her fans for their support during the Miss Universe competition, and asked them not to blame anyone on the pageant’s results. PR Photo/ ABS-CBN MANILA, Philippines – Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa on Tuesday night posted a video message on Facebook calling on Filipinos to stop blaming anyone for her loss in the 63rd Miss Universe. “Let’s not blame anyone anymore. Let’s just spread the love and be at peace kasi ‘yan lang ang nakakaganda,” MJ said in her video message. MJ was able to make it to the Top 10 finalists, but failed to enter the top 5. Miss Colombia was eventually crowned Miss Universe 2014. After MJ’s loss, several netizens blamed the Colombian-designed gown of the Philippine bet. “Don’t be sad, kasi nakita naman ng buong mundo na pinaglaban natin, ‘di ba? So let us be happy and always be positive,” MJ said. MJ, meanwhile, thanked her supporters, called “MJ All The Way,” for supporting her her three-year journey in the beauty pageant field. She joined Bb. Pilipinas three times before finally winning the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Tatlong taon din natin itong pinaghirapan, and ito tapos na, first day of finally graduating sa pageant career,” she told her fans. “Sobrang masaya. At least ‘yong ending ng journey ko, naging proud kayo sa akin sa kung anuman ang kinalabasan ng competition.” MJ also asked Filipinos to support this year’s winners in the Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant. The event Read More …