Maniolas

Government agencies are investigating Vice President Jejomar Binay of unduly making money from the government’s housing projects, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has said. “Ang impormasyon diyan ay yung mga mass housing projects ay binibigay niya sa mga favored contractors na nang arrangements with Pag-IBIG,” Trillanes said on GMA News’ “24 Oras” on Tuesday. “Bagong anumalya ito,” he added. Trillanes accused Binay, the chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, of getting a huge share from the profits of Pag-IBIG’s housing contractors. “Pag komisyon, you get the percentage which is less than half. Pero pag partnership, or at worse, kung dummy lang, you get th bulk of the profits,” Trillanes said. Trillanes initiated the Senate investigation on alleged graft committed by Binay when he was mayor of Makati. The Vice President has denied the allegations. The HUDCC oversees the government’s housing agencies including Pag-IBIG, or the Home Development Mutual Fund that offers more affordable housing loans to its members. Joey Salgado, one of the Vice President’s spokespersons, said Trillanes was lying. “Senator Trillanes admitted that there are no documents to back up his latest allegation. He could not even identify the government agencies conducting the alleged investigation if there is such an investigation,” Salgado said. “Then again, we do not expect fairness, candor and veracity from the senator. His agenda is to sway the public’s perception with innuendoes and outright falsehoods,” he added. Lawyer Darlene Marie Berberabe, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Pag-IBIG, said as much against Read More …

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has sought a probe on the alleged special treatment of high-profile inmates and their illegal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). In Senate Resolution 1088 filed on January 5, 2015, the senator said he wanted to review the current correctional system that tolerated special treatment to inmates “with the end view of enacting remedial legislation that would prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.” “It is apparent that NBP personnel committed violations against their mandate when they allowed the entry of prohibited items and the construction of high-end ‘kubols’ inside the NBP as these did not just appear in an instant,” Trillanes said in a press statement Tuesday. He said the first step to reform the correctional system is to identify and hold accountable the NBP personnel and other involved government officials who are responsible for the proliferation of contraband items. On 15, 19, and 22 December 2014, surprise inspections were conducted in the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound, which houses convicted drug lords and notorious robbery gang leaders. The inspections revealed numerous activities and items inside the prison such as the apparent continuation of drug trade within the premises of NBP. High-end special detention area or ‘kubols’ which have extra-ordinary facilities such as jacuzzi, sauna, bath tub, music studio, generator, split-type air-conditioning units, Wi-Fi, long conference table, game console, private gym, bar and a kitchen were also found. Authorities also recovered diamond-studded Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier and Officine Panerai watches; a Louis Vuitton cash box; bottles Read More …

Airport authorities have been strengthening  security measures in preparation for the papal pisit, GMA News reported via its “24 Oras” early evening newscast on Monday.  Public works crews started to remove the Circulo del Mundo rotunda in front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Parañaque City in preparation for the Papal Visit on January 15-19.  The structure which cost P50 million was originally planned to be taken down by the Department of Public Works and Highway in preparation for the construction of a skyway in NAIA.  No-fly zone   Aviation authorities have other security measures for the papal visit. NAIA runways will also be closed when the aircraft with Pope Francis on board lands and takes off at NAIA. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has already issued a Notice to Airmen about the implementation of no-fly zone effective on January 15 and 19 over NAIA during the Pope’s arrival and departure and on January 17 over Daniel Z. Romualdez (Tacloban) Airport from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. No-fly zones will also be in effect over other areas such as Rizal Park, University of Sto. Tomas, and Tacloban where Pope Francis is set to hold activities.  “Expect that they will all follow these limitations, these flight restrictions para sa kapayapaan ng loob nating lahat kasi it involves safety and security,” CAAP’s Deputy Director General for Operations Ret. Gen. Bgen. Rodante Joya explained.  Airline companies and operators that will violate the no-fly zone implementation may be fined Read More …

The Philippine National Police on Monday revealed that there were at least 62 stray bullet incidents during the just-concluded holiday season, resulting in 44 reported injuries and one death. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor disclosed to GMA News via text that the incidents were recorded from December 16, 2014 to January 5, 2015. The lone fatality in the bullet stray cases is 11-year-old Jercy Decym Buenafe of Tabaday, Abra.  She was hit by a stray bullet while she and her family were watching the festivities outside their house. The National Capital Region had the most stray bullet incidents at 18, followed by Western Visayas with 13. With the number of victims being hit by stray bullets during New Year revelries on the rise, the PNP admitted that its efforts to stop the practice of indiscriminate firing have not been enough. The police vowed to intensify its campaign against loose firearms, which it said are commonly used by suspects in indiscriminate firing. Meanwhile, the police arrested a total of 17 individuals for illegal discharge of firearms during the holidays: seven policemen, six civilians and four security guards. The police recorded a total of 25 illegal discharge of firearms as of Monday morning. The PNP has also confiscated 129,795 firecrackers and arrested 57 individuals for selling prohibited firecrackers. The police tallied 115 injuries due to firecrackers and eight cases of fire incidents. The number of casualties from fire totaled to seven, with four persons injured and three others dead. — BM, Read More …

For many years, Johnny lived separately from his family in Manila. When US President Barack Obama announced his new immigration initiatives through executive action, he became hopeful that somehow he would be able to reunite with his family. Johnny is looking forward to applying for the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability; or, the deferred action for parents of American citizens or lawful permanent residents. If the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start accepting his application, he will be able to apply for an employment authorization document. With this document, he will be able to come out of the shadows and be a more productive employee. But, whether or not he will receive an authorization to temporarily travel outside the United States to visit his family in the Philippines is still unclear until the UCSCIS releases its regulations. Despite this uncertainty, Johnny remains hopeful until he heard about recent roadblocks to Obama’s executive action on immigration brought about by lawsuits. What are the effects of these lawsuits that were filed against Obama questioning the legality of the executive actions? What is the effect of limiting the federal funding of the US Department of Homeland Security? Maneuvers to halt implementation An Arizona sheriff in Maricopa County, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, was quick to file a lawsuit against Obama alleging that actions by him are unconstitutional for overstepping his power by changing the law himself and bypassing Congress. Last week, the US District Court dismissed this lawsuit. Another lawsuit filed by the Read More …