Maniolas

Two associate justices may have opined that President Benigno Aquino III should answer for the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), but Malacañang said Friday that the majority ruling did not impute liability on anyone for the controversial spending mechanism. “The government maintains that any interpretation regarding the DAP should be based solely on the main decision of the Supreme Court (SC),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement. He added that the SC’s modified ruling on the DAP stated that “authors are presumed to have acted in good faith.” Earlier this month, the high court partially granted the executive’s motion for its earlier DAP ruling, which struck certain acts under the spending mechanism as unconstitutional. In its modified decision, the SC allowed “the funding of projects, activities and programs that were not covered by any appropriation in the General Appropriations Act.” Aside from this, the high court also said that only the DAP’s authors, not the proponents and implementors of the projects, could possibly be held liable for unconstitutional acts. The majority ruling did not identify who the DAP’s authors were. In their concurring opinions to the DAP ruling,  Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Arturo Brion however said that Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad should be held liable for economic stimulus program. Quoting Abad, Coloma further said SC “upheld the application of the doctrine of operative fact, which re-states presumptions of good faith and regularity.” The doctrine of operative fact would dictate that all the plans and projects Read More …

BY LEANDRO MILAN – Manny Pacquiao, full-time professional boxer and part-time everything else (entertainer, Bible preacher, politician and basketball coach) has a number of rivals – among them Floyd Mayweather Jr. – for the distinct title “Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer.” Until the proposed mega fight with the unbeaten American boxer materializes, the Filipino boxing idol will have to settle for just being one of the best inside the ring. But Manny doesn’t have to fret for he has just been bestowed a new title all his own, albeit it’s for something he did – or more accurately, he did not do – outside the ring. Our sporting hero, who goes by the official government designation of Honorable Emmanuel Pacquiao, Congressman of Sarangani Province, has just been crowned “Top Absentee Member of the House of Representatives in 2014.” According to House records, the Gentleman from Sarangani showed up for work at the Lower House only four days last year. Coming in poor second is Negros Occidental Congressman Jules Ledesma (better known as the husband of actress Assunta de Rossi) who was marked “present” seven times in 2014. Unlike in regular work or school, the absentee solons did not get any pay cut or even a reprimand. There is no law or House rule that compels members to attend sessions and committee hearings, so Congress leadership is helpless in enforcing attendance. A boring day in Congress Last December former Senator Rene Saguisag, scandalized by the congressman’s wanton disregard for House rules and proper Read More …

TORONTO, Canada – A Filipino woman in this city has been charged with immigration fraud that preyed on the Filipino community, the Toronto Police Service reports. Police allege more than 500 people from six different countries may have been defrauded by GoWest Jobs International of a total of more than $1.5 million. GoWestJobs is a recruiting agency. The police probe investigation began in October. Workers were allegedly recruited from other countries for jobs in Canada. A large number of Filipinos were among the applicants. GoWest asked for payment for documents, references and employment contracts. According to police, the applications were submitted to the government agency in the applicant’s home country. Applicants’ entry to Canada, however, was denied because the documents submitted on their behalf were allegedly fraudulent. The applicants were banned from re-applying for two years. Imelda Fronda Saluma, 46, of Toronto has been charged with 11 counts of fraud over $5,000, nine counts of pass off wares/services, eight counts of fraud under $5,000, nine counts of obtaining money by false pretense, and one count each of making a false statement to procure a discount and making a document without authority. Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto police at 416-808-3100, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3100, Toronto Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the Read More …

Dr. Juan Agustin Coruña IV [via Philstar] A resident doctor at a Department of Health regional hospital in Central Philippines has invented a surgical technique to fix bone fractures with the use of nylon cable ties. The nylon cable ties, commercially available as nylon ties used to organize and keep computer cables from tangling, are meant to replace the more expensive stainless steel wires used to strengthen fracture fixation in broken bones with the same healing effect to the bone. The use of nylon cable ties is expected to reduce orthopaedic surgery costs. Dr. Juan Agustin Coruña IV, a doctor in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department of the government-run Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental has been presenting the new orthopaedic cabling system in medical conventions around the world. Dr. Coruña, a University of the East Ramon Magsaysay College of Medicine graduate and Ateneo de Manila University BS Psychology alumnus started developing the new cerclage system in 2012. Together with CLMMRH colleagues Dr. Jose Maria R. Coruña, Orthopaedics and Traumatology department chairman, with Dr. Hans Francis D. Ferraris, Laboratory department and Research Committee chairman, and Dr. Dove A. Demandante, resident of Laboratory department, Dr. Coruña developed the study for presentation to clinicians, academicians and researchers. Dr. Coruña is expected to perform strength testing on the nylon cable ties before applying the new surgical technique to humans. The post UERM doctor invents cheap bone fracture surgery fix appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: UST picked Read More …

The snow sculpture of the Manila Cathedral towers over guests at the 66th Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan. SCREENGRAB SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL WEBSITE MANILA, Philippines — A large snow sculpture of the historic Manila Cathedral wowed tourists at the annual Sapporo Snow Festival (SSF) in Hokkaido, Japan. The 13-meter ice replica of the Manila Cathedral was designed and sponsored by the Japanese media firm Hokkaido Broadcasting Co. (HBC). “The Cathedral withstood numerous calamities including typhoons, fire, earthquakes, and wars, and is a symbol of the resilience of Filipino faith,” HBC said in statement. “The intricate designs and decors of this Neo-Romanesque structure contributes in making the Manila Cathedral as one of the most-prized edifice of the Filipino Christian heritage,” HBC added. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. in a Twitter post said it was an “honor” for the Philippines to be part of Japan’s snow festival. “First time ever! Ice replica Manila Cathedral at Sapporo Snow Festival. What an honor. Mabuhay!” Jimenez posted. The snow festival opened last February 5 and will run up to February 11. The Manila Cathedral, built in 1581, has been damaged and destroyed several times by fire, earthquake and by war but has been repeatedly rebuilt. The current cathedral building was built in 1958. It was closed for renovation in 2012 to make it withstand earthquakes. It was reopened in 2014 after completion of the renovation. RELATED STORIES The Manila Cathedral, like Pope Francis, has humble start Brighter, tougher Manila Cathedral Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on Read More …