VP Binay denies plan to use PAGIBIG ads for mileage

 News
Jan 112015
 
VP Binay denies plan to use PAGIBIG ads for mileage

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday denied that he planned to use the advertisements of the Home Development Mutual Fund, better known as the PAGIBIG Fund, for media mileage, “24 Oras” reported. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano had accused the Vice President of planning to use the PAGIBIG advertisements for political gain in the upcoming 2016 general elections. Also, Senator Antonio Trillanes accused Binay of awarding PAGIBIG mass housing projects to favored contractors. Binay is the chairman of the PAGIBIG Fund. “Alam naman nila na nagsisinungaling lang sila. Ako pa nga ang nagsasabi roon sa PAGIBIG, huwag ninyong ilalabas ang mukha ko,” Binay said. These new allegations against Binay may be discussed in upcoming Senate blue ribbon committee hearings. The Vice President has been the subject of Senate blue ribbon committee hearings due to corruption allegations, among which are the allegation that the Makati City Hall Building II was overpriced and his alleged ownership of a property in Batangas which he failed to declare in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan, GMA News

Activists to welcome pope with postcards on plight of the poor

 News
Jan 112015
 
Activists to welcome pope with postcards on plight of the poor

Christian activists will welcome Pope Francis with postcards that they will deliver on Monday to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila, where Pope Francis will be staying during his five-day visit to the Philippines. Promotion for Church People’s Response, a member of umbrella activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said it will deliver the postcards during a “Pilgrimage of Welcome.” In a statement, it said the so-called pilgrimage will start at St. Scholastica Archives-Museum in Manila and end at the Papal Nunciate. “Personal welcome messages and articulations of the cry of the poor are handwritten on the backs of postcards in six designs that combine relevant photographs with proclamations of Pope Francis,” it said. During the pilgrimage, participants will wave welcome pennants or flaglets and ask the pope to “hear the cry of the poor” and “stand with us for justice and peace.” A serenade and prayer will be held at the Papal Nunciate to “express our journey of solidarity with the poor as we deliver the postcards,” the group said. The group said that for the last 90 days, a “Giving a Voice to the Cry of the Poor Campaign” was initiated by the National Clergy Discernment Group, Religious Discernment Group, Task Force for Urban Conscientization-Association of Major Religious Superiors, Citizens Alliance for Just Peace, and the Promotion of Church People’s Response. The PCPR said the groups are hopeful the pope “will speak to the real situation of the toiling majority during his visit.” — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

LTFRB starts public hearing on buses, taxis, UV Express fare reductions

 News
Jan 082015
 
LTFRB starts public hearing on buses, taxis, UV Express fare reductions

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday started hearings on petitions for fare reductions for buses and taxis. Photos tweeted by the office of LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez showed the hearing started at about 9 a.m. Ginez led the hearing, which was also attended by stakeholders. Earlier, the LTFRB scheduled for Friday the hearing of petitions for lower fares on taxis, buses and Utility Vehicles (UV) nationwide. Former LTFRB board member and Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway had filed a petition to cut the flagdown rate of taxis to P30 from the current P40 and to decrease by P1 the additional P3.50 charge for every 300 meters covered. Iway also asked the LTFRB to reduce the minimum bus fare to P8 from the current P10 and the additional charge for the succeeding kilometers to be lowered as well. He cited the lower prices of fuel in seeking the fare reduction. Before this, the LTFRB on Dec. 11 ordered a P1 rollback on the minimum jeepney fare in Metro Manila. However, some taxi operators called the reduced flag-down rate unfair. A report on 24 Oras quoted Philippine National Taxi Operators Association president Bong Suntay as saying the petition calling for lower flag-down rate was “unfair.” —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

PAL cancels flights during Papal visit

 News
Jan 082015
 
PAL cancels flights during Papal visit

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 SAN FRANCISCO — A total of 71 Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights will be cancelled on January 15 and 19, 2015 to give way to the arrival and departure ceremonies of Pope Francis at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the airline announce today. The 31 cancelled domestic and international PAL flights on Jan. 15 are: Manila-Bacolod-Manila (2P2907/2908) Manila-Busuanga-Manila (2P2033/2034) Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila (2P2527/2528) Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila (2P2525/2526) Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2057/2058) Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2049/2050) Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2063/2064) Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2053/2054) Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2817/2818) Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2819/2820) Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2823/2824) Manila-Dumaguete-Manila (2P2543/2544) Manila-Laoag-Manila (2P2196/2197) Manila-Legazpi-Manila (2P2927/2928) Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila (2P2787/2788) Manila-Surigao-Manila (2P2095/2096) Manila-Tacloban-Manila (2P2985/2986) Manila-Tacloban-Manila (2P2987/2988) Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila (2P2777/2778) Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila (2P2014/2015) Manila-Zamboanga-Manila (2P2997/2998) Davao-Manila (2P2808) Jan. 16 Cebu-Manila (PR2860) Manila-Cebu-Manila (PR2861/2862) Manila-Cebu (PR2863) Manila-Singapore-Manila (PR511/502) Manila-Hong Kong-Manila (PR318/319) Manila-Hong Kong-Manila (PR312/313) Manila-Kansai (PR408) Manila-Bangkok-Manila (PR736/737) Manila-Honolulu-Manila (PR100/101) Those cancelled on Jan. 19 are: Manila-Bacolod-Manila (2P2903/2914) Manila-Basco-Manila (2P2084/2085) Manila-Busuanga-Manila (2P2031/2032) Manila-Butuan-Manila (2P2967/2968) Manila-Cagayan de Read More …

Consuls in NLEx accident want bus firm suspended

 News
Jan 082015
 
Consuls in NLEx accident want bus firm suspended

MANILA, Philippines–The family of two honorary consuls has sought an investigation into a bus company plying north Luzon for negligence, after one of its buses rammed their vehicle last weekend. Rene and Fortune Ledesma, honorary consuls of Bulgaria and Monaco in the Philippines, respectively, and their family were injured when a First North Luzon Transit bus rear-ended their Hyundai Starex van on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Apalit, Pampanga, on Jan. 4. His mother appeared to have suffered the worst injury, according to son RJ Ledesma, with a bone-deep cut on her forehead that required surgery. On Thursday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) summoned representatives of the bus company to a hearing next week. The Ledesma couple, along with other son Rico, his wife Sheila, their 2-year-old daughter, nanny Delia Espinosa and driver Eduardo Pineda were returning to Manila from Baguio City when they were caught in traffic on the inner southbound lane of the NLEx in Barangay (village) San Juan around 11 a.m. on Sunday. Based on the Apalit police report on the incident, the Ledesmas’ car was slowing to stop, following the vehicles ahead, when the First North Luzon bus behind them driven by Paul Villanueva, 44, crashed into their rear. The impact pushed the Starex into the rear of the Baliwag bus in front of it. The Starex was crumpled between the buses and its engine burst into flames. The van passengers all sustained cuts and bruises, with Mrs. Ledesma losing consciousness after Read More …

DFA urges Filipinos to leave troubled Yemen

 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 …

Gov’t looks to the past to bolster papal security

 News
Jan 082015
 
Gov’t looks to the past to bolster papal security

MANILA, Philippines–The lone papal souvenir on display at the Presidential Museum and Library in Malacañang is the guest book bearing the signature of now St. John Paul II when he first visited the Philippines in 1981. But also kept in the archives are a plastic replica of the coat of arms of Blessed Paul VI, who was attacked by a Bolivian assassin at the Manila airport tarmac in 1970, and a copy of Ferdinand Marcos’ diary claiming credit for saving the Pope’s life. The incident was among the “relevant antecedents” security officials have considered in preparing for next week’s visit of Pope Francis. “There was an appreciation of all the dangers that need to be avoided,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters, citing other incidents such as the Ultra stampede in 2006 and the “crowd surge” that cut short the Mass during the Feast of the Black Nazarene last year. President Aquino and his Cabinet met Thursday with Catholic Church officials led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, to firm up preparations for the papal visit. The group was aware of what happened on Nov. 27 nearly 45 years ago when Paul was stabbed twice by a Bolivian painter, Benjamin Mendoza, who was disguised as a priest. The Pope had just alighted from an Alitalia plane and was greeting the huge crowd at the airport. Marcos claims credit Then President Marcos later claimed he Read More …

Coast Guard to enforce 'no-sail zones' near papal visit venues

 News
Jan 082015
 
Coast Guard to enforce 'no-sail zones' near papal visit venues

Starting Monday, Jan. 12, the Philippine Coast Guard will implement no-sail zones in areas near the venues of Pope Francis’ engagements. Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the security measure will be in effect until Jan. 19, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported Thursday. Balilo said they will advise owners of motor bancas and yachts in Manila Bay against getting near the Mall of Asia and Quirino Grandstand. The Coast Guard will also implement a similar policy in the waters near Tacloban City and Palo town in Leyte. Pope Francis is due to arrive in Manila on Jan. 15. During his visit, he will take part in public engagements in Pasay City, Manila, and Leyte – including a lunch with victims of supertyphoon Yolanda.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

VP Binay explains backing out of Trillanes-led mutiny in 2007

 News
Jan 082015
 
VP Binay explains backing out of Trillanes-led mutiny in 2007

Vice President Jejomar Binay disclosed Thursday the reason he backed out from the mutiny led by then Navy officer, now senator, Antonio Trillanes IV against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2007. Binay said he decided not to join the protest action because the agenda of those pushing for it were not fully disclosed to them.  “Alam mo si Mr. Trillanes, napakasinungaling na tao n’yan. ‘Yon e hindi na ako sumama. Pero hindi lang ako, ha? Kami nila Bro. Mike ay hindi na sumama no’ng bandang huli kasi maraming agenda na hindi naman sinasabi ro’n sa mga sumasama,” he said in a radio interview. He did not elaborate who he meant by “Bro.Mike.” In November last year, when Binay backed out of his scheduled debate with Trillanes, the senator lashed out at the vice president describing him as a man who cannot keep his word. Trillanes said Binay, then mayor of Makati City, backed out at the last minute from participating in the protest action that led to the failed Manila Peninsula siege. He said Binay was with them when they were still planning the protest march.  The senator blamed Binay for not making good on his promises of gathering people, which led to the failure of their protest action and the senator’s continued detention. The vice president’s camp initially denied Trillanes’ claim. ‘Messianic complex’ Binay said Trillanes has a messianic complex or a belief that he can save the world or mankind. “Nu’ng nagkita kami n’yan no’ng Read More …

DOTC chief Abaya skips House hearing on MRT, LRT fare hikes

 News
Jan 072015
 
DOTC chief Abaya skips House hearing on MRT, LRT fare hikes

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was a no-show at the House transportation committee’s hearing Thursday on the fare increase for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). According to Transportation Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Abaya asked to be excused from attending the hearing because he is busy with preparations for the papal visit next week. “The secretary [is] very much involved in the preparations for the papal visit . Because of the meetings for this, he asked to be excused from the hearing,” he said. This did not sit well with Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who said Abaya should be present at the hearing to explain the DOTC’s bases for hiking fares. “Secretary Abaya has been all over the place in the media explaining the fare hike but he is not here to answer our questions,” he said. Colmenares said the timing of Abaya’s absence is suspect since meetings related to the preparations for the papal visit could have been done on another day. Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said Abaya’s presence was important because he was the signatory in the documents related to the MRT and LRT’s operations, such as the concession agreement the government signed with MRT Corporation, the private operator of the MRT-3. Aside from Lotilla, present at the hearing were Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, MRT-3 officer in charge Renato San Jose and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Honorito Chaneco.  Representatives of commuter groups opposed to the fare hike also attended the Read More …

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