Aug 292014
 
80,000 more cops needed to safeguard 100 million Pinoys – Mar

Police Deputy Director General Ager P Ontog Jr, Deputy Chief PNP for Operation/ Commander National Task Force SAFE 2013 gives out guidance regarding the deployment of PNP personnel in the field especially in areas vulnerable to attacks of lawless elements in response to the call for Secure and Fair Election (SAFE 2013). MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police needs 80,000 more personnel to meet the ideal police-to-citizen ratio of 1:500 for a country whose population is now 100 million, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Wednesday. “1:500 is the rule of thumb …and to arrive at this, we need an additional 80,000.  We need this to improve police presence and visibility,” Roxas told the hearing for the Department of Interior and Local Government’s proposed 2015 budget at the House of Representatives. The PNP’s current strength of 153,000 personnel makes for a police-to-citizen ratio of 1:700.  It could actually be worse since 30,000 personnel are engaged in administrative work, Roxas pointed out. “We really need more people,” he said, adding that there are 900 local government units without police stations and 300 municipalities without fire stations or fire trucks. Next year, the DILG will get a budget to hire 10,000 more police personnel, the same number it was supposed to hire this year. Director General Alan Purisima and National Police Commission executive director Eduardo Escueta, for their part, said the PNP is having difficulty recruiting new personnel because of the stringent process. Applicants to the police force need to be Read More …

Aug 292014
 
CBCP chief raises bioethical concerns on Ice Bucket Challenge

President Benigno S. Aquino III greets His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo following the Thanksgiving Mass in celebration of his elevation to the College of Cardinals at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon Avenue, Cotabato City on Tuesday (March 11). Cardinal Quevedo received his red hat and ring from Pope Francis during a solemn consistory at the St. Peter’s Basilica on February 22, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The wildly viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge may be for a good cause, but it may have some bioethical issues, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines warned. In a statement, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas also reminded Filipinos taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an act of compassion and not a fad. “As a pastoral guideline, we therefore urge those participating in the ice-bucket challenge and making donations to ALS research to make a clear and unequivocal declaration that their donation is made on condition that none of it is to be applied to research that involves the use of embryonic stem cells, in vivo or in vitro,” he said. He said Catholics who participate in the challenge and who make donations to this research must also demand from organizers an assurance that none of the donations made will be applied to researches that are “ethically reproved.” But he maintained the Church will push support for such research so long as they “keep within the confines of the ethical demands of human dignity.” “As long Read More …

Aug 292014
 
KC Concepcion on mom Sharon: We’re all behind her

KC Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta (MNS photo) ACTRESS KC Concepcion is certain that her mother, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, will surpass difficulties with her weight gain and disappointments in her showbiz career. KC said that her mother did not mention the issue to her during their last conversation. “Nag-usap kami ni Mom and wala naman siyang na-mention sa akin na problem. Masaya nga yung talk nami sa phone nun,” she said. Concepcion believes that the Facebook post of Sharon is intended for her loyal supporters. “I feel na that open letter is Mom’s way of letting her fans know that she is still here, and she still cares for them. Sa lahat ng ginagawa ng mom ko, she always remembers her fans and wants them to be happy. It’s her way of saying she has not forgotten them,” she said. As for Cuneta’s weight gain issue, Concepcion said it will take time but she is positive that her mom will get the hang of things. “Her struggle to get back in shape is a long process, hindi naman ganun kadaling magpapayat to be honest,” she said. The 29-year-old actress also thanked close friend, Judy Ann Santos, for the continuous love and support not just to her mom, but to their whole family. “I am very thankful that Ate Juday has always been there for my mom, sincere siya sa friendship nya and she’s part of our family. Like Ate Juday, me, our family, friends and her loyal fans are all behind Read More …

Aug 292014
 
Vice praises new ‘leading man’ Richard Yap

Vice Ganda (MNS Photo) Comedian Vice Ganda is all praises for actor Richard Yap, who will be his co-star in the sequel of hit film “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin.” “Okay siya, swabe lang, hindi OA, sakto sakto lang, sakto sa role sakto sa okasyon at maganda ang personality,” the “It’s Showtime” host said of the “Be Careful With My Heart” star. “Gusto ko si Richard di lang as an actor kung hindi as a person – sobrang bait at mature. Kapag nag-uusap kami ay sobrang mature. Nakakatuwa siya,” he added. Shooting for the movie, which is part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, has started last August 1. The host-comedian said he really wanted to do a movie with Yap – and vice-versa. “Natuloy na kaya ang saya,” he said. Apart from Yap, Vice Ganda said he is also lucky to have Kris Aquino’s son, James “Bimby” Yap Jr., in the movie. “Sobrang support si Kris kaya nakakatuwa,” he noted. (MNS)

Aug 292014
 
VP Binay: No plan yet to file charges vs. detractors

Vice President Jejomar Binay as he receives the Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor from Ninoy Aquino Movement Chairman Heherson Alvarez during the 31st death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday (August 21, 2014) in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said Wednesday he has no plan yet to file charges against his detractors. “Tignan po natin. Ipagpapasa-Diyos na lang natin yung ginagawa niya sa amin,” Binay said at a press conference in Pasay City. He added also clarified that the Makati city government only shelled out P2.2 billion and not P2.7 billion as claimed by lawyer Renato Bondal for the construction of the now controversial Makati City Hall Building 2. He said the building was initially intended for parking but they later decided to house other offices there. “Sa ngayon po, mas marami na ang opisina kesa sa parking,” he said. Binay said aside from the alleged overpriced building, other issues will be brought out by his detractors. He earlier said the ongoing Senate probe on the alleged overpriced building could be linked to an upcoming survey concerning the 2016 presidential elections. “Sa mga hearing, binibigyan laya lang ang mga gustong manira sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Ang dahilan ay ang parating daw na survey siguro,” said Binay, who has been topping surveys on possible presidential candidates in the 2016 elections. The Senate blue ribbon committee is conducting an inquiry in Read More …

Aug 292014
 
BIR files Php 63.93-M tax evasion raps vs. 2 delinquent lady taxpayers

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henarez advises the camp of boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to talk with the BIR to know all the problems on the garnishment order against his bank accounts during a press conference at the Department of Justice on Thursday (Nov. 28, 2013). Flanking her are BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela V. Sales (left) and Atty. Albert Opon. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a total of Php 63.93 million tax evasion cases against two delinquent lady taxpayers. Charged was Evangeline M. Sertesa, sole proprietress of E.M.S. Enterprises. She is a contractor and merchandising broker located in Novaliches, Quezon City. Also charged was Socorro H. Viar, sole proprietress of Coring’s Grocery. She is engaged in the retail of grocery items located in Sta. Elena, Marikina City. In a press conference, BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said that they charged the two respondents for violating Section 255 of the Tax Code for willful failure to pay tax. Henares said that Sertesa was sued for deficiency tax liabilities for taxable year 2007 in the aggregate amount of Php 52.77 million, inclusive of increments, such as Php 31.03 million in Income Tax (IT) and Php 21.74 million in Value Added Tax (VAT). Likewise, Viar was assessed deficiency tax liabilities for taxable year 2007 in the sum of Php 11.16 million, inclusive of increments, such as Php 6.29 million in IT and Php Read More …

Aug 292014
 
Why PNoy won’t certify FOI Bill as urgent

President Benigno Aquino III grace the ceremony of the Pambansang Kongreso ng Wika at the Leong hall,Ateneo de Manila University(ADMU) in katipunan ave. q.c. with Theme “WIKA NATIN ANG DAAN MATUWID with Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin ADMU Pres. And Virgilio Almario Chairman of KWF ….(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacanang cannot certify the freedom of information bill as urgent. President Aquino made the statement in an interview on Bombo Radyo Philippines. He said unlike the sin tax law and the reproductive health law, the FOI bill is not a matter of national emergency. The President said failing to pass both the RH Law and the sin tax law would have resulted in health car problems and government’s failure to meet development goals. “Nasa Saligang Batas kasi kailangan bago ma-certify as urgent kailangan may emergency. Paniwala namin dun sa Sin Tax at sa RH Law may emergency…” “Pagdating sa FOI mayroon po ba kaming tinago sa inyong impormasyon? Or to anybody? Di ba kami napaka-transparent? Diba may tinatawag na ‘bottom up budgeting’, pinalitan po yung pangalan niyan, kung saan lahat ng gawain, lahat ng tanong pinipilit naming sagutin.” (MNS)

Aug 292014
 
VP Binay: Trillanes tried to intimidate witness in ‘overpriced’ building probe

CAPITOL HILL MEETING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos and Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay discuss bilateral issues with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chair of the Sub-Committee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs of the United States Senate, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Ariel Penaranda) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of intimidating a witness in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged irregularities in the construction of Makati City Hall Building II, which supposedly benefited the Binay family. “Alam ba ninyo, kahapon tinangka pang pigilan ni Sen. Trillanes ang testimonya ng kontratista? Sinabihan siyang wag nang tetestigo, pinagmumura pa siya ni Sen. Trillanes,” Binay, who was Makati mayor when the building was constructed in 2007, said at a press briefing in Pasay City. He added that Trillanes, who filed the resolution that set the blue ribbon committee investigation in motion, even threatened to file a plunder complaint against the witness if he will not cooperate. “Dinuro pa siya at tinakot [yung witness], sinabing ipinasasama pa sa reklamo, tinakot na ipa-plunder,” Binay said, as he reiterated that neither he nor his family received kickbacks from any Makati projects during their tenure as Makati mayor. “Ako at ang aking pamilya, wala kaming tinanggap kahit kailan o kahit saan,” he said Trillanes has yet to comment on Binay’s accusation. Binay, who has been topping surveys on Read More …