Maniolas

Pro-Philippine hackers on Thursday defaced several Chinese government, educational and commercial websites to protest China’s reclamation work in disputed areas in the South China Sea, parts of which Manila calls West Philippine Sea. Anonymous Philippines posted on its Facebook account a list of the Chinese websites it claimed to have attacked and defaced. A screenshot of Anonymous Philippines’ message in one of several Chinese websites it claimed to have defaced, in protest of China’s reported reclamation work in disputed territory. While several of the sites in the list were still defaced as of 5 a.m. Friday, others had been taken offline. “Many of you are aware of the oppressive acts of the Chinese government over the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. Their claims over the said area is nothing but mere assumption and without solid proof… Once again, we must gather our brothers and sisters to stand against this tyranny,” read the group’s message on the defaced sites. It added that while others may think this action does nothing, “so does sitting around while waiting for something to happen.” “To the Government of China, stop the reclamation, do not put or establish any structure on that location thinking or claiming that you are the owner. Considering that there is no final agreement between both and other parties,” it said. On Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said China is doing reclamation work in seven reefs in the South China Sea, Read More …

Alekhine Nouri with Garry Kasparov after the former world champion’s recent visit to Manila. FACEBOOK PHOTO. LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Nine-year-old Filipino chess prodigy Alekhine Nouri beat the March 31 deadline and will compete in the 2015 Millionaire Chess Open scheduled in October at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The child prodigy from Escalante, Negros, created a sensation last year when he jumped two sections to finish strongly in the Under 1900 Section. He has moved up to the U2000 this year. First place offers $30,000 in this section, but focus will be in the Open Section, in which grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So are anticipated to battle for the $100,000 top prize. After scrambling for a sponsor to help him with the stiff registration fee, Nouri finally made it, thanks to Jeorge Balares of JBS Income Tax & Notary Service. “Thank God I finally made it,” said Nouri. “Thank you to Sir Jeorge,” he added in a Facebook posting. Born in Negros on December 12, 2005, and named after the great Russian grandmaster Alekhine, Nouri started playing chess at five under the tutelage of his father, Hamed Nouri, himself a FIDE master. To give his son full attention, Hamed quit his job and moved the family to Metro Manila, where Alekhine earned a scholarship at Far Eastern University. In June 2013, during the Asean Age Group Chess championships in Thailand, Nouri earned an outright FM title with his victory in the Open 8-under category, making him the youngest Read More …

The prosecution panel handling the plunder case of Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete blocked her application for bail late Wednesday, saying a hearing has to take place before any bail can be set. “It is only after the prosecution shall have presented its evidence and the court shall have made a determination that the evidence of guilt is not strong that Lanete [ask the court] to fix the amount of bail. Until then, the court is not duty-bound to accede to Lanete’s prayer,” the prosecutors said. In the same comment-opposition, the prosecutors also reminded the court of the criminal information filed against Lanete, and that even prior to a bail hearing, the evidence presented by the Commission on Audit against the former lawmaker appears to be strong. “A very strong case against the accused exists warranting the denial of her prayer that she be freed on bail,” government lawyers said. Meanwhile, prosecutors noted that the severity of the potential penalty of the crime of plunder automatically makes Lanete a flight risk, despite her claims otherwise. “Contrary to the accused’s contention that she is not a flight risk, the severity of the penalty of reclusion perpetua for plunder provides her a great incentive to flee,” they added. Lanete was among the second batch of lawmakers recently charged by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The other lawmakers were former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa, former Cagayan De Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraulla, former Read More …

Typhoon Maysak’s eye as seen from space. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoferetti tweeted a photo from the International Space Station showing typhoon Maysak over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, March 31, as it heads towards the Philippines. Cristoferetti said Maysak “commands respect even from space.” Samantha Cristoferetti via Twitter The Philippines issued warnings of possible landslides and storm surges, with Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) set to strike eastern coastal areas, where many resorts are located, over the Easter weekend. Chedeng, initially a top-rated category 5 typhoon, has weakened to category 4 as it lost strength over the water. It is expected to further lose strength as it hits the mountains of northeastern Philippines on Saturday or Sunday, the weather bureau said. But authorities are concerned foreign and Filipino tourists spending the long Easter weekend on the beaches along the eastern coasts of the main Luzon island may ignore warnings. The typhoon is expected to make landfall within 72 hours. The Easter holidays began on Thursday in the Philippines. “This will bring waves which our surfers really like. But this is a typhoon we are facing, even if we say it may become just a storm… The waves will be strong and it will be dangerous for our fellowmen in the eastern coasts,” Esperanza Cayanan, an officer at the weather bureau, said in a televised disaster briefing. Officials of Aurora province northeast of Manila estimate about 10,000 tourists were expected to troop to its Baler Bay, a popular spot for surfers. Storm surges Read More …

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas encouraged those who are going out of town to reconsider their travel plans, especially if their destination is one if the areas that will be  affected by Typhoon Chedeng during the long weekend. “Please adjust your travel plans… Tatama siya sa may Isabela-Aurora-Northern Quezon areas anytime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Mag-ingat po tayo,” he said. The DILG secretary also urged those who are already in these areas to return home by Friday before Chedeng is expected to make its landfall. According to PAGASA’s 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the typhoon is estimated to make landfall over eastern coast of Aurora or Isabela by late Saturday to early Sunday. “We can’t afford to risk the safety of the residents and an estimated 10,000 tourists in the various towns on the Eastern seaboard,” Roxas said. The DILG has already alerted the different government agencies to relay pertinent information, offer assistance to stranded travelers, as well as to ensure the safety of all people in the identified areas. “Listo lang po lagi tayo, and should you need any assistance, the whole of government is at your service,” Roxas said. According to PAGASA’s latest update, Typhoon Chedeng was located 930km East of Catarman, Northern Samar or 975 km East Southeast of Virac Radar Catanduanes as of 3 p.m. It has a maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is also expected to bring Read More …