Jan 092015
 
Sandigan ‘sekyu’ denies soliciting from Napoles lawyer

Janet Lim Napoles, wearing a bullet proof vest, listens as her lawyer Howard Areza whispers to her while Napoles attended a public inquiry at the Senate in Manila that was held last year. Latest reports said she implicated more lawmakers and officials as apparently involved in the scam. MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan security guard accused of soliciting money from the lawyer of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles has denied the allegation, saying it came from individuals with sinister intentions. “Isa lang po ang masasabi ko sa alegasyon. Hindi po ako ang nagsolicit ng pera sa sinasabi ninyong abogado. At wala po akong tinatanggap na pera buhat sa kanya, dahil hindi ko naman po sila kilala,” Roland Allan Gole Cruz said in his four-page sworn statement dated December 15, 2014. In his statement submitted to Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang Gole Cruz said all the allegations against him were baseless. “Sinong Security Personnel po ang nagsabi na ako ay nagsolicit? Si Rosita Domingo. Nasa fourth floor po ako naka duty, siya ay sa backdoor. Paano nilang nasasabi na ako ay nagsolicit at tumanggap ng pera? Wala pong abugado na nagbibigay sa akin ng pera, puro tsismis lang po lahat ito at walang konkretong katibayan. Hindi ko rin po kilala ang camera man na idinawit nila sa mga imbento at gawa gawang report,” he said. Early in December, Cabotaje-Tang received a letter detailing the supposed actions of Gole Cruz. According to the letter written by two other security guards at Read More …

Jan 082015
 
NDRRMC: Damage from Seniang rises to P809.9M

Forest debris awashed by Seniang litter shores of Misamis town. People sift through logs, sticks and dead animals washed on the shoreline of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday, January 7, after some of their huts were destroyed by the debris that reportedly came from Agusan and Surigao provinces following strong rains brought by Typhoon Seniang. Gerry Gorit The damage from Tropical Storm Seniang rose to P809.9 million as of Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 8 a.m. update, the NDRRMC noted increases in the damage caused by Seniang to both agriculture and infrastructure. Of the total P809,941,934.75 damage as of Friday, P719,205,534.75 was to agriculture while P90,736,400 was to infrastructure. The damage estimate covered Mimaropa in Luzon; Western, Central and Eastern Visayas; Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga. On the other hand, the death toll remained at 66, with 43 injured and six missing. At least 124,305 families or 578,549 people were affected. Some 27 roads and 20 bridges in Bicol, Western, Central and Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga remained impassable. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Jan 082015
 
DFA urges Filipinos to leave troubled Yemen

popular Smartmatic deal not justified, say 2 Comelec commissioners Church ‘offender’ airs appeal to Pope Francis Authentically French, but not necessarily traditional Financial Times ed calls Charlie Hebdo ‘stupid,’ draws flak Bureau of Plant Industry chief relieved over garlic price hike fiasco Jihadist ‘eager for fame’ accidentally reveals Syria location on Twitter–report Pope’s visit stalls naming of new health secretary Chris Brown talent fee fully paid: ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ videos Vigils in Latin America pay tribute to Paris attack victims France attack suspect gives up; police hunting 2 others Black Nazarene devotees share stories of healing Osmeña: Ombudsman should suspend Alcala Sen. Marcos recounts meeting Pope Francis MANILA, Philippines–Filipinos in Yemen were urged anew to leave the country as soon as possible due to the “continued deterioration of the political, security and peace and order situation” there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday. In a statement, the DFA said this advisory was issued by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh. It reminded that alert level 3 status, which called for the voluntary repatriation, remains to be effective in Yemen. This meant there was a total deployment ban there and that travels to Yemen, including to those who are on vacation and returning there, will not be allowed. The DFA said Filipinos who would like to go home should coordinate with the Crisis Management Team in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a.–Christine O. Avendaño Tags: alert DFA ofws Overseas Filipino workers Yemen Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Read More …

Jan 082015
 
1962 Miss Phl Cynthia Ugalde now a widow

MANILA, Philippines – Just got a letter from Cynthia Ugalde, 1962 Miss Philippines who represented the country in that year’s Miss International pageant. Cynthia relayed the sad news that Dr. Oscar Pelaez Tan (inset), her husband of 49 years, died at age 76 of cardiac arrest due to complications in October last year in Ormoc City where the family is living permanently after many years in the US. Photo shows Cynthia with daughter Camille and son Omar, with daughter-in-law Natasha.

Jan 082015
 
Well-wishers reminded: NAIA 3 is for passengers only Jan. 15, up to noon of Jan. 19

Well-wishers, be reminded: The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)’s Terminal 3 will be closed to non-passengers on Jan. 15 and up to noon of Jan. 19, in connection with Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines. The Manila International Airport Authority said the NAIA-3’s arrival and departure lobbies will be closed to non-passengers on these dates and times. “The NAIA Terminal 3 arrival and departure lobbies will be closed to non-passengers the whole day of January 15 and from midnight to noon on January 19, 2015,” it said.  Pope Francis is due to arrive on Jan. 15. He will take part in activities in Metro Manila and Leyte and depart for the Vatican on Jan. 19. Last Monday, the MIAA reminded passengers with flights at the NAIA on Jan. 15 and 19 that they may have to show up more than three hours ahead of schedule. “Since departure flights will proceed on the 15th and the 19th, (Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel) Honrado reminds passengers with departing flights on these days to be at the airport much earlier than the usual three hours advice for them not to miss their flights,” the MIAA said. “It would be best for passengers to make their way to the airport way ahead before the roads within the NAIA complex start to close at 3p.m. on January 15 and at 7 a.m. on January 19. On these days, the NAIA Complex will only be accessible via South Superhighway through Bicutan, Alabang and Read More …

Jan 082015
 
Italpinas offers New Year’s Treat to Buyers

BUON Anno Nuovo! Are you looking for an investment this 2015? The New Year is a good occasion to re-evaluate your portfolio and start hunting for promising new investments. As an early gift this new year, Italpinas offers P75,000 discount to the first 5 buyers only for the month of January 2015. “New year is the best time to make a fresh start and new beginning. Wouldn’t it be great to live in your own place (if you are just renting) or think of renting out your unit to earn more? This is the best time to do that wise move. Invest and own a condominium unit and be one of the lucky few to enjoy its numerous advantages,” said Gladys Echano, VP for Sales. Currently, Primavera Residences’ furnished units are being rented out and managed for short-term and long-term rentals, as part of its In-house Asset Management Program. Due to the success of this program, a large number of clientele are requesting for more rentable units, bringing in more investors for its income-generating opportunities. Located in Pueblo Business Park in uptown Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences is in the middle of many important establishments, like SM CdeO, universities, a world-class golf course and many more. Being located uptown also means that your property is in a flood-free, and therefore, a safer zone. “For this new year, Italpinas is offering P75,000 discount for the first 5 buyers this January, This is our Buena mano treat aside from the discount upon Read More …

Jan 082015
 
Philippine traffic officers to wear nappies for papal visit

Philippine traffic officers and crowd control personnel are to wear adult diapers on the job during next week’s visit of Pope Francis, when they will spend long hours marshalling crowds expected to run into the millions, authorities said Thursday. The nappies will ensure that about a thousand of the personnel can stay at their posts without diverting for the call of nature during the papal tour, Metro Manila Development Authority official Emerson Carlos told AFP. He said the diapers will get a trial run during the procession of the Black Nazarene, an annual parade of a wooden image of Jesus Christ which will also draw enormous crowds in the capital on Friday. “We will be giving them these diapers because we don’t know when the crowds may rush in,” said Carlos, the agency’s deputy general manager for operations. The government expects millions from Asia’s biggest Catholic population to turn out for the much-admired pope, especially for an early evening mass in Manila on January 18. The diaper plan has attracted some ridicule in Philippine media, but Carlos was undaunted. “It just requires a shift in outlook if it is really necessary,” he said, adding “there have been no complaints” from the traffic constables themselves. National police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the 25,000 regular police officers on papal security detail would not be following the lead of the Metro Manila Authority. “We are trained for these situations and as of now, we have not considered (diapers),” he said.

Jan 082015
 
PHL Consulate will transfer to new location in March 2015

Photo above shows Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim congratulating Mr. Audie de Castro as thePhilippine Honorary Consul for San Diego, CA. Los Angeles – The Philippine Consulate General is pleased to announced that it will move to a new location at 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA beginning the 1st week of March 2015. The change of location that is four blocks from its present location is part of a wider effort of the Consulate towards delivering better client experience and enhanced image and representation of the Philippines in Southern California. “At these times when the respect for our people and our country has increased considerably,” said Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, “it is timely that we establish a presence in Los Angeles that matches up with that achievement.” The Filipino community is one of the fastest growing communities in the Midwest region.  Based on the 2010 US Census, there is about one million Filipinos within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Jan 072015
 
Preparations to secure Pope in PH still need improvement—Roxas

MANILA, Philippines–Government agencies and security forces met with President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday to present plans to secure Pope Francis and millions of people ‎who will gather during the Pope’s four-day visit to the country. But Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II admitted on Wednesday that after the President scrutinized and critiqued the proposals of various agencies, more improvement is needed. “Yesterday we had a four-hour session led by President (Aquino). He went over the proposed security plans for each part of the Pope’s visit and critiqued them. May mga dapat pang paigtingin at palakasin (We still have to iron out and fortify a few things),” Roxas told reporters during the Philippine National Police’s traditional New Year’s call in Camp Crame. With only eight days left before the Pontiff’s arrival, Roxas added that the concerned agencies, including the PNP, will continue to polish the security measures for the people and the Pope. Also during the meeting, all intelligence services of the government merged and presented a report to the President. Roxas refused to divulge the report’s content but he named the agencies involved, which included the National Security Agency (NSA), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the intelligence units of the military and police. “We are doing everything to make sure the Pope is safe. Also, the security of the people is equally important,” he added. In a separate interview, PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said they have not monitored any threats against Read More …

Jan 062015
 
Three Filipinos injured in Libyan air strike on tanker

popular PAL adjusts flights during Papal visit The ‘Pope Francis List’ DOTC asked to account for P120.7B gov’t poured into MRTC Ariella Arida to host online stint for Miss Universe pageant It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals Free ‘Abadilla 5’ during Pope’s visit, Aquino urged Liquor ban imposed in Manila for Pope’s visit 2nd NBI raid yields Bilibid VIP’s P100K, Bluetooth videos Bilibid inmates’ kin file human rights complaint against De Lima S. Korea hopes North is sincere with offer to improve relations How Portugal’s big waves are boosting the economy Devotees pin hopes on Black Nazarene Golden Globe menu unveiled DALY CITY, California – An air strike on a Greek-registered oil tanker injured three Filipino crewmen while the vessel was docked in a port in Derna, Libya, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. DFA spokesman Charles Jose reported that one of the Filipinos was seriously hurt while the two others were in stable condition. He also said that the other Filipino nationals who were among the oil tanker’s crew were unharmed. However, a Greek and a Romanian national who were part of the crew were reportedly killed during the air strike. Libyan militaty officials said that after a warning not to enter the port was given, the tanker acted suspiciously. They suspected it of transporting Islamist militants to Derna where the ship was at anchor when it was hit on Sunday. The attack was done by Operation Dignity Forces, the remaining semi-official armed force in Libya, according Read More …