Maniolas

Muslims urge senators for immediate passage of BBL. Muslim women from several organizations in Metro Manila rally outside the Senate on Monday, January 26, to call for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is calling for the suspension of hearings on the BBL following the deaths of at least 37 policemen in an ambush on January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao by MILF fighters. Danny Pata The establishment of the Bangsamoro territory will reduce the sovereignty of the Philippine government, a former Supreme Court justice said Monday. “My understanding of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is that the Bangsamoro government may change what presently exists in the Philippine government. If I am wrong, I will be very happy to be corrected,” Justice Florentino Feliciano said during the hearing of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes. Florentino said the statement that “the Bangsamoro authority shall remain a part of Philippine territory” should be given a more forceful meaning. He added the provision on the Bangsamoro government having exclusive power on several aspects such as agriculture, livestock, food security, laws on foreign corporations, trade and industry, foreign investments, labor, freeports, banking system, education, public utilities operations, ancestral domain and natural resources, land management and distribution, Shariah courts and Shariah justice system, and education would result to reduction of the general sovereignty of the Philippine government.  “Those powers are vested today in the government Read More …

Former US Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte WASHINGTON, DC — When the leadership of the US-Philippines Society led by Ambassador John Negroponte call on President Aquino in Manila next week, they expect to be able to bring back with them more good news about the Philippines. Negroponte and other US-based personalities will be in Manila from 29 to 31 January to attend the annual board meeting of the US-Philippines Society, a Washington-based non-profit organization launched during President Aquino’s official visit to the US in 2012. “Our meeting with President Aquino presents a timely opportunity for us to learn more about all the exciting new developments in the Philippines,” said Negroponte, who co-chairs the US-Philippines Society with Filipino tycoon Manuel Pangilinan. “We also want to examine ways on how we can be even more effective in carrying out our mission of raising awareness in the US about today’s Philippines and promote business opportunities,” said Negroponte, a prominent American diplomat who had previously served as US ambassador to Manila. Aside from Ambassador Negroponte and Pangilinan, the Society’s binational board includes more than 30 prominent Filipino and American private sector and community leaders led by Washington Z. Sycip and Maurice Greenberg who both concurrently serve as Honorary Chairmen. In addition to Negroponte, three former US ambassadors to the Philippines sit on the Society’s board: Tomas Hubbard, Frank Wisner and Richard Murphy. The President of the Society, Ambassador John Maisto, and its Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, were also diplomats who served at the US Embassy Read More …

Wesley So (left) shakes hand with Anish Giri of the Netherlands in the Tata chess tournament in Wijk ann Zee, the Netherlands. CHESSDOM.COM PHOTO LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Wesley So bowed to an old nemesis, grandmaster Anish Giri of the Netherlands after an epic, eight-hour battle ending in his first loss. But he remained just one point behind the tournament leader with one round left in the Tata Steel chess tournament in Wijk ann Zee, the Netherlands. Giri beat So after 111 moves in the 12th round, handing the Filipino his first loss in about a year and grabbing solo second with eight points behind Margnus Carlsen, who is showing the way with 8.5 points. The 20-year-old Giri, the youngest in the tournament, outplayed So in a queen-and pawn endgame, promoting a distant passed as the Filipino grandmaster gallantly held on, hoping for at least a perpetual check to draw the game. Despite the loss, his first since April 2014 – a span of 55 games – the 21-year-old So remained within striking distance with 7.5 points, a point behind Carlsen, the Norwegian world champion who drew his 12th round match. So will play the white pieces against another Dutch player, Loek Van Wely, in the 13th and last round today, Sunday. Giri, who beat So in 2010, also in Wijk ann Zee – “when we were kids”, So said – jumped to No. 5 in the world in live rating, with 2797.2, ahead of former world champion Vishy Anand, while Read More …

Two killed in Zamboanga City explosion. At least two people were killed while 52 were injured following an explosion near a bus terminal in Zamboanga City Friday afternoon. YouScoop/Mervinne Minano President Benigno Aquino III arrived Sunday morning in Zamboanga City to check the security there after the deadly car blast last friday that left two people dead and hurt 52 others. The airplane carrying the President landed at 10:30 a.m. at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City, according to a report on dzBB by Jayvee Francisco. According to the  report, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman were with the President upon arrival in the city. Aquino will proceed to the blast site, the report said, adding that the President is being briefed by local authorities regarding findings of the investigation on the attack. The President is expected to pay his respects to the two poeple killed in the explosion in front of the Guiwan bus terminal and Red Palm Inn last Friday. He is also expected to visit the 52 people who were injured. On Saturday morning, police said the death toll had risen to two, with 52 wounded, and that the explosives used in the incident was a car bomb. Security was tightened in the city after the bombing, with police and military forces conducting checkpoints and paneling operations. Full alert Philippine National Police Region 10 OIC director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr on Saturday said he issued a directive to all Read More …

The Department of Education has issued guidelines on activities and materials involving indigenous peoples’ culture. In a news release, the DepEd said this came after consultations with indigenous peoples communities, educators, and civil society support groups nationwide. “Kami po sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ay patuloy na pinag-aaralan ang mga katutubo nating kaalaman. Kami po ay mga guro pero alam ko po na sa larangan ng katutubong kultura ay marami pang dapat malaman. Hindi po kami mga eksperto sa mga bahaging ito. Kaya hinihiling namin… na huwag po ninyo ipagkait sa amin ang mga katutubong kaalaman, bagkus, patunayan po ninyo na kayo ang tunay na nangangatawan sa pinapahalagahan ng ating mga katutubong komunidad,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said. The guidelines provide guidance on the ethical assessment of learning activities and related engagements of schools, DepEd offices, and other education initiatives that involve aspects of indigenous peoples’ culture. DepEd credited IP community representatives for being instrumental in crafting the guidelines. Luistro emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in better understanding indigenous culture in education. Meanwhile, the DepEd has also been recognizing private educational institutions serving IP learners to promote the right of IP communities to cultural integrity and due recognition of “katutubong kaalaman” in the education system. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News