Maniolas

Vice President Jejomar Binay hits back at his accusers during a televised press conference at the PICC in Pasay City on Thursday, September 18. Binay denied receiving kickbacks from the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and from other projects in the city during his term as mayor. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Chinese-Filipino businessman Antonio Tiu told a Senate hearing on Wednesday that he paid an P11-million downpayment to buy the controversial property in Batangas province, which is being linked to Vice President Jejomar Binay. Responding to queries of Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano during the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee, Tiu said he paid P11 million as downpayment for a 150-hectare property in Batangas, which costs P446 million. Former Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado earlier told the subcommittee that the property was 350 hectares with an estimated amount of P1.2 billion. He claimed that the property belonged to the Vice President. “The total downpayment made so far is P11 million,” Tiu said, responding to Cayetano’s question. “For P446-million property, P11 million pa lang binabayaran n’yo? Nasa TV kayo araw araw, (at sinasabing) akin na ‘yan,” Cayetano asked. (For a P446-million property, you have only paid P11 million? You are on TV every day claiming that that property is already yours.) “Nasa pangalan na po kasi (It’s already in my name). Meron na pong usufruct rights,” said the businessman, referring to his earlier statement that he had already bought the usufruct or right to Read More …

WITH the increasing presence of tech startups in Cebu, an official of a government-owned financial institution said startups, like other small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in traditional businesses, can avail themselves of financing from P200,000 to P5 million from the Small Business Corp., the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). SB Corp. Visayas Group head Francisco Buenavides said startups who have been “successfully operating” for two years can avail themselves of loans under the agency’s retail lending program. “Under our policy, we are not closed to (tech) startup businesses. Siguro lang, it would take an extra evaluation, extra process in evaluating the account,” Buenavides said. He said granting loans to this sector is new for them; hence the longer process than traditional businesses. He said bulk of borrowers in SB Corp. is in trading and general merchandise. Enterprises that are in the services sector like contractors also avail themselves of the agency’s retail lending program. Those who cannot get loans from SB Corp. are businesses purely involved in the trading of imported goods, real estate developers and those involved in vice-generating activities. SB Corp’s loan releases in 2013 was at P3.3 billion. By the end of 2013, SB Corp.’s total loan releases to micro and SMEs (mSMEs) already reached P40 billion, starting from 2001. Buenavides said those who would like to avail themselves of loans in SB Corp. should submit registration papers and financial documents. More detailed guidelines can be found in their office in Read More …

Judy Ann Satos-Agoncillo said acting is her passion. Philstar.com/Joyce Jimenez  MANILA, Philippines- Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is flattered to portray the role of Janice de Belen in the remake of the Filipino horror film “T’yanak.” The actress, however, said people shouldn’t compare their interpretation to the character of Julie. “Of course hindi ko naman puwedeng i-remake kung paano nila ginawa ‘yon,” she explained. “Kasi we’re two different people, hindi naman kami pareho ng pagtatrabaho. “But I try my best na magampanan ‘yong role ni Julie. With the story now of T’yanak, it’s a bit modernized compared sa 1990’s na T’yanak.” The film, directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, will be showing in all SM cinemas on October 29. Meanwhile, it has been a while since Judy Ann did a teleserye. Her last was in 2013 when she starred in  “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala” opposite Sam Milby and KC Concepcion. Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 She’s presently hosting two ABS-CBN shows, “I Do” and “Bet on Your Baby.” Judy Ann explained that although most of her projects now involve hosting, it doesn’t mean she’s giving up her passion in acting. “Hindi naman puwedeng ilagay ko lang sa backseat ang passion ko, so from time to time I still act,” she relates. “With hosting kasi it’s very relaxed, it’s all about being beautiful lang, makeup ka lang, outfit ka lang. With acting kasi it’s the passion, e. Pero kung hosting ang trabaho, bakit naman ako hihindi sa trabaho?” Read More …

‘Priority to give Jennifer justice’ By Christian V. Esguerra |Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:31 am | Tuesday, October 21st, 2014 ‘YESTERDAY’S HEROES’ President Aquino graces the 70th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing at MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug, Palo, Leyte province, on Monday. The event’s theme, “Leyte 1944, Leyte 2014: Yesterday’s Heroes, Today’s Inspiration on the Road to Recovery,” recalls the role of American troops led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur during World War II, when his promise, “I shall return,” became some sort of a battle cry. RYAN LIM/MALACAÑANG PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino on Monday rejected calls for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) following the killing of a transgender Filipino allegedly by a US Marine in Olongapo City more than a week ago. Speaking with reporters in Palo town, Leyte province, the President said the government’s priority was to ensure that the victim, Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, would get justice. “Why do we need to abrogate the VFA? I mean, name me any place that doesn’t have crime. And the sin of one person should be reflective of the entire country? I don’t think so,” he said. “What’s important is [that since] a crime has been committed, get all the evidence that will prove the guilt of the person behind this, and achieve justice,” Aquino said. The President said Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg were now “working to resolve this issue” of the United States having custody Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has recently energized the 230-kilovolt line connecting the northern and southern Mindanao. The 213-circuit kilometer-long line from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to Maramag, Bukidnon is part of the second stage of the new Mindanao transmission Backbone Project, NGCP said. The high voltage transmission project, known locally as the Kirahon-Maramag 230-kv line provides a vital link between northern Mindanao where most power plants exist and southern Mindanao where the load or demand is expected to go up on more economic activities. With an estimated project cost of P988 million, the Kirahon-Maramag line traverses two provinces and eight municipalities. NGCP president and CEO Henry Sy, Jr. said the southern part of Mindanao, particularly the SOCSARGEN area and Davao, is the load center of the island since it is also the center for commerce Thus, he said NGCP needs to ensure that the power generated from the north is transmitted reliably to SOCSARGEN and Davao, especially during the summer season. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The Kirahon-Maramag line and the new Mindanao Transmission Backbone will ensure that the supply is fully dispatched to meet the demand in the south,” he said. In all, the Mindanao Backbone Project intends to increase NGCP’s transmission capacity in Mindanao to 230 kv from 138 kv. It is seen to boost the transmission of power supply from the Agus and Pulangi hydro facilities, the main source of power in the island. According to NGCP, Read More …