Maniolas

Tubbatha Reef National Marine Park MANILA (AFP) – Twelve Chinese fishermen were handed long prison terms on Tuesday for illegal fishing in the Philippines after their ship ran aground on a World Heritage-listed coral reef, a court official said. The 12 were arrested at the Tubbataha Reef, a marine sanctuary in the western Philippines famed as a pristine dive spot, in April last year after their 48-metre (157-foot) boat hit and badly damaged it. Boat captain Liu Chiangjie and his crew had pleaded not guilty, telling the court in the western city of Puerto Princesa that they had merely got lost but regional trial court judge Ambrosio de Luna rejected the explanation as “highly incredible and unbelievable”. The court imposed the maximum punishment of 12 years for the boat captain and prison terms of between six and 10 years for the rest of the crew, clerk of court Hazel Alaska told AFP. The 12 told the court they would appeal against the ruling. All were found guilty of violating the anti-poaching provisions of a 2009 law that gave the Tubbataha Reef protected status, according to Alaska. The fishermen were also fined $100,000 each, while their boat was forfeited, Alaska added. They were the first foreigners to be found guilty of violating the law, according to Herminia Caabay, legal officer for a council that helps the western province of Palawan protect its natural resources. Dead pangolins in boat – The fishermen were still on trial for possession of protected species within Read More …

Nikki GIl (MNS Photo) Nikki Gil, who started her career as a singer, is grateful that audiences have also accepted her as an actress. Gil is part of the upcoming series “Hawak Kamay” with Iza Calzado and Piolo Pascual. “Siyempre nakakataba ng puso kasi hindi ko naman talaga pinangarap ‘yon, hindi ko siya goal kasi nag-umpisa naman ako as a singer,” she said of her acting career. “But para mapabilang at makatrabaho ko sila ay sobrang malaking karangalan and I’m very happy to be given a chance to learn also from great artists,” said Gil, who won the Best Single Performance by an Actress award at the 2013 Star Awards for Television for her performance in the “Ilog” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” In the new series, Gil plays the role of Pascual’s girlfriend. “Nagtrabaho siya sa cruise ship at nung medyo lost si Gin (Pascual) at ‘di niya alam ang gagawin niya sa life niya, nandoon ako, na-witness ko ang struggle na ‘yon,” she said of her role in the soap. Gil said she feels “blessed and privileged” to be given another soap, after last year’s “Maria Mercedes” and “Apoy sa Dagat. “I feel very blessed and privileged to be given a chance to work again. And, of course, it’s an honor to work with Papa P (Pascual) and Iza and, of course, the kids. I mean for this talagang kinuha nila only the best,” she said, referring to child stars Andrea Brillantes, Xyriel Manabat and Zaijian Jaranilla. Asked Read More …

Bamboo focuses on his next album at the same time that he gears up for the next season of The Voice Philippines this September.

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the “History and her Story” – A Special Commemorative Photo Exhibit on the 5th Death Anniversary of former President Corazon C. Aquino at the Glorietta Activity Center in Palm Drive, Makati City on Monday (August 04, 2014). The exhibit gives its readers a rare glimpse into Mrs. Aquino’s life – from her school years at the St. Scholastica’s College, to her marriage to the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr., to the People Power revolution that changed her life, and in the process, Philippine history. It also revisits Mrs. Aquino’s years as the first female President of the Philippines from 1987 to 1992. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Aquino’s proposal for a 2.6 trillion-peso national budget in 2015 gives him powers akin to what he exercised under the unconstitutional disbursement acceleration program (DAP), a lawmaker said Wednesday. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares grilled Budget Secretary Butch Abad about this during the Development Budget Coordinating Committee’s presentation of the proposed 2015 national budget before Congress today. Colmenares singled out the budget’s proposed redefinition of savings, which is meant to address the ruling of unconstitutionality on the DAP. “Redefinition of savings, ito crux of the matter. Sabi doon savings refer to portions of balances of appropriations, not released or obligated as result of discontinuance or abandonment of project of any cause at any time…Pwede niya stop at any time possible,” he said. Abad confirmed this. “Pwede ma-stop. There’s a standard. Congress can define that.” Colmenares explained that Read More …

Senator Pia Cayetano (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Pia Cayetano has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the construction of a condominium tower in Manila that heritage advocates oppose because it would despoil the Rizal Monument. Senate Resolution No.824 filed by Cayetano, who chairs the committee on education, arts and culture, Wednesday said the construction of DMCI Homes’ Torre de Manila would not only spoil the view of the monument but also disrespect the memory of national hero Jose Rizal. Last month, the Manila City council, responding to the clamor of those opposed to the condominium’s construction, unanimously passed a resolution suspending Torre de Manila’s building permit for violating zoning ordinances. An online petition on Change.org initiated by tourist guide and historian Carlos Celdran has so far gathered more than 8,200 signatures. Cayetano’s resolution notes that, “the Rizal Park and Monument is regarded not only as an artistic and cultural icon and famous tourist site,” but is also where “momentous events in our history” have taken place. It also said there is a need to review the laws and policies governing the preservation of national and historical sites. Among these are: Article XIV, Section 15 of the Constitution: ‘The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations’ Republic Act No.4846, otherwise known as the “Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act,” which defines a national cultural treasure as “a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, Read More …