Maniolas

AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday urged the Philippine embassy on Monday to look into a report that domestic workers, including Filipinos, were being put on display at malls in Singapore. A report by news outlet Al Jazeera depicted the plight of the domestic workers in “maid agencies” in the city-state, where the workers are allegedly made to sit beneath signs and posters that testify to their qualities, or advertise promo rates and discounts. The workers were also allegedly made to simulate real-life housework, like taking care of the elderly or children. “The Philippine embassy should investigate the report and if needed, make the proper representations with Singaporean authorities,” Binay, also presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns, said in a statement. If the report was true, he said, the act of “displaying” domestic workers in malls “violates human rights and international laws upholding the rights of migrant workers.” “I am deeply concerned by these reports. If this is true, then the domestic workers are being subjected to an indignity that should not be allowed and is in fact, a violation of an international convention protecting the rights of migrant workers,” said Binay. The Vice President also expressed confidence that Singapore will act on the matter once it is brought to their attention. “I am confident that such acts will not be tolerated by Singapore. Singapore is a friend of the Philippines and Filipinos,” Binay added. There are more than 184,000 Filipinos in Singapore according to December 2012 records of the Read More …

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Submissions to the 3rd Annual Plaridel Awards for excellence in Filipino American journalism are now being accepted by The Philippine American Press Club, USA (PAPC). The Plaridel Awards was established in 2012 to acknowledge the contribution of outstanding writers and publishers in the Filipino American community. The awards celebrate the best works of Fil-Am mass communicators, who chronicle the lives and times of their compatriots, promote and share their culture and history, champion their causes and provide a venue where readers and listeners can voice their concerns. The Plaridel Awards was named in honor of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, a Filipino patriot, journalist and publisher who brought his craft and zeal as an expat in Europe in late 1800s. Plaridel was his pen name. Del Pilar was a prolific writer who kept his constituents abreast with the goings on in their expat community as well as in the homeland. In del Pilar, the PAPC has found a hero to emulate, an inspiration to Filipino writers and publishers everywhere who pursue their journalistic aspirations and service to their constituents in their new home. The Plaridel is open to all Fil-Am journalists whose articles or programs saw publication in a Filipino American-based media anywhere in the U.S. between June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. Deadline for submission is August 30, 2014. Awards will be given to the best stories and articles that provide unique perspective on the issues and concerns of Filipino Americans. Categories for print and online articles include Investigative Story, News Story; Personal Essay, Feature Writing, Profile Writing, Commentary or Read More …

Jinggoy arrives at Sandiganbayan to face plunder charge. Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, June 30, for his arraignment over the plunder charges filed against him and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the alleged P10-B pork barrel scam. GMA News The Sandiganbayan on Monday entered a not guilty plea for Senator Jinggoy Estrada following his refusal to enter one himself, in the plunder case filed against him in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations or pork barrel funds. Estrada told the court he cannot enter a plea because he has two pending petitions at the Supreme Court.  “I respectfully refuse to enter a plea, your honor,” he said. Estrada asked the SC on June 24 to stop the Sandiganbayan from hearing his plunder and graft cases and to invalidate the arrest warrant issued against him.   Alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty. Accused of plunder before the anti-graft court’s First Division are Estrada, Napoles, Estrada’s chief of staff Pauline Labayen and Napoles’ driver John Raymund de Asis. Labayen, and De Asis remain at large. Estrada allegedly diverted his PDAF allocation to fake NGOs put up by Napoles, and pocketed P183.79 million in kickbacks.  Aside from one count of plunder, Estrada is also accused of 11 counts of graft. —KG, GMA News

The Philippine National Police Custodial Center has been asked to explain the extended visiting hours for two senators facing charges for the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac referred to the alleged privilege for Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., GMA News’ Victoria Tulad reported. Sindac cited reports indicating the two senators were allowed to entertain visitors beyond the normal visiting schedule. Under the rules of the PNP Custodial Center, detainees are allowed visitors betwen 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays and Thursdays. However, lawyers and spiritual advisers are allowed to visit them anytime. Estrada and Revilla have been detained at the PNP Custodial Center since the anti-graft court ordered their arrest on graft and plunder charges. Revilla faces one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft at the Sandiganbayan. He and his co-accused allegedly received P224.5 million in kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 for funding the ghost projects of Napoles NGOs. Estrada, on the other hand, allegedly pocketed P183.79 million in kickbacks from similar dealings with Napoles NGOs. Revilla was arraigned last week while Estrada is to be arraigned on Monday. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News