September 23 – An Earth Day for Voters

 Entertainment
Sep 172014
 
September 23 – An Earth Day for Voters

By Anna Challet New America Media “The main idea was to try to do for civic engagement what Earth Day did for the environment, and really create one positive, fun, exciting day where everybody could plug in, in whatever way was easiest for them,” says Jessica Reeves, the vice president of partnerships at Voto Latino, one of the organizations involved in starting National Voter Registration Day (NVRD). September 11, 2014 – In a world where every day is a holiday – there’s National Doughnut Day, Pi Day (honoring the number 3.14 and celebrated by eating pie), and Talk Like a Pirate Day (that one is international) – a group of organizations came together and decided that surely one of these days should be dedicated to voter registration. They designated a day and proceeded to register over 300,000 voters in their first such effort – on the fourth Tuesday of September in 2012. “The main idea was to try to do for civic engagement what Earth Day did for the environment, and really create one positive, fun, exciting day where everybody could plug in, in whatever way was easiest for them,” says Jessica Reeves, the vice president of partnerships at Voto Latino, one of the organizations involved in starting National Voter Registration Day (NVRD). This year NVRD falls on Tuesday, September 23, about a month before the Nov. 4 general elections. Through on-the-ground efforts by participating organizations, as well as online and media communications, the initiative has registered voters in every Read More …

Obama vows US will not fight another ground war in Iraq

 News
Sep 172014
 
Obama vows US will not fight another ground war in Iraq

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida –  President Barack Obama vowed on Wednesday the United States will not fight another ground war in Iraq, seeking to reassure Americans about the level of U.S. involvement after a top general suggested combat troops could be deployed against Islamic State forces. Obama, who has spent much of his presidency distancing himself from the Iraq War, stressed during a speech at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa that airstrikes would be the central U.S. contribution to the fight against Islamic State, along with coordinating a coalition that he said now includes more than 40 countries. “I want to be clear. The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission,” Obama said. “We will train and equip our partners. We will advise them and we will assist them. We will lead a broad coalition of countries who have a stake in this fight.” His message came a day after General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, left the door slightly ajar to the possibility of some ground forces during congressional testimony that worried some Democrats. “As your commander in chief I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq,” Obama said. The United States has launched more than 160 airstrikes against Islamic State targets in several areas in Iraq and Obama has authorized similar attacks against the extremist group’s strongholds in Syria. Read More …

Anti-crime groups call for PNP chief's resignation

 News
Sep 172014
 
Anti-crime groups call for PNP chief's resignation

Various anti-crime groups called for the resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Allan Purisima following his refusal to comment silence on the recent crimes involving cops. In a report from GMA’s “24-Oras” program on Wednesday, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) said Purisima should start speaking up about the issues plaguing his leadership. “Si General Purisima ay hindi na talaga katanggap-tanggap sa mga taong dapat pinagsisilbihan niya. Nagtatago siya sa saya ng presidente. Hindi dapat ganoon,” VACC Founding Chairman Dante Jimenez said. Jimenez’s sentiments were echoed by the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) and also asked for Purisima’s resignation. “Kahit kami we have confidence in him but then as a gesture to show your men that you stand on principles the first thing you do is resign. Hindi lang siya, [pati] ‘yung ibat-ibang station [commander],” Teresita Ang See from the MRPO said. Last Tuesday, Purisima failed to attend a Senate hearing for the modernization and reorganization of the PNP which irked Senator Grace Poe. “He has gone far too long relying on his spokespersons to speak for him. I don’t see any reason why the PNP chief should be exempt from having to directly address the people,” Poe said. But PNP spokesman C/Supt. Reuben Sindac explained that there was just a miscommunication between the two parties. “The Chief of PNP submits to the authority of the Senate and he respects that. Kaya po sa susunod na pagimbita he said he will be Read More …

An authentic taste of Italy in the Walled City

 Entertainment
Sep 172014
 
An authentic taste of Italy in the Walled City

The gamberetti at Raffaele in Bay Leaf Hotel: White shrimps, preserved lemon, garlic, chili and almonds If a restaurant is named after the genius that fathered the Italian pizza, one should expect that due respect be given to the creator. True enough, Raffaele, one of the newest stars on the Italian cuisine scene, rose to the challenge and, in my taste, has passed with honors. Home to the most delectable, authentic wood-fired pizza creations, Raffaele has secured a spot in the local firmament as a worthy ambassador of Italian gourmet. To label it as a pizza parlor would be an injustice. I know; I have been there and will likely be back for more. Located on the third floor of the charming Bayleaf Hotel, Raffaele (named after Raffaele Esposito, a 19th-century master pizzaoilo or pizza maker from Naples, Italy) has continually been praised since it opened two months ago. I found out why when I was invited to an informal gathering of food writers for lunch at this captivating trattoria. Our host, the president and owner of the Lyceum of the Philippines and Bayleaf Hotel, gave us a glimpse into the 60-seater chic restaurant. The feel of the place was elegant yet comfy, spacious yet warm. Natural sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling and walls and gave us a panoramic view of Intramuros’ old-world, nostalgic charm. The romantic ambience indeed served as an ideal backdrop for the food. Glancing at the special menu for the day, I realized that I Read More …

WATCH: Activists nearly mob Butch Abad at UP

 News
Sep 172014
 
WATCH: Activists nearly mob Butch Abad at UP

Student-activists nearly mobbed Budget Secretary Florencio Abad at the University of the Philippines in Diliman after speaking at a forum at the School of Economics on Wednesday night, GMA News TV’s State of the Nation has reported. The report said the students, who picketed the venue, even chased Abad until he reached his car. The activists alleged that Abad defended the Aquino administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program during the forum. “I don’t that’s unusual at UP,” Abad said in a statement after the incident. “They were violent and meant to harm but nothing serious,” he added. The Supreme Court in July declared the DAP partially unconstitutional. —NB, GMA News

A year after 1st batch of pork scam raps, DOJ still studying case vs. 3rd group

 News
Sep 172014
 
A year after 1st batch of pork scam raps, DOJ still studying case vs. 3rd group

A year after the Department of Justice filed the plunder charges before the Ombudsman against three senators in connection with the pork barrel scam, it continues to verify the pieces of evidence against the third group of lawmakers that it said were also involved in the multibillion-peso racket, a report from GMA’s “24-Oras” said Wednesday. According to DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, the National Bureau of Investigation is still verifying the documents especially those with alleged forged signatures. “Naniniguro lang talaga tayo. We don’t want that na maapektuhan or madilute ‘yung mga kaso na yan dahil mahaluan ng mahina-hina na kaso,” De Lima said. Whistleblowers of the pork barrel scam are admitted to have forged various documents. Still, the problem lies with the said forging of other documents related to the third batch. “May mga dokumento na admitted to be forged for example the liquidation papers. Pero ‘yung endorsement ng lawmakers, unless there is a good explanation that is expected to be genuine,” she said. Thirty-three lawmakers, including former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, composed the second batch of respondents charged by the DOJ before the Ombudsman in November 2013 in connection with the scam.  —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News

Binay denies premature campaigning in Cagayan

 News
Sep 172014
 
Binay denies premature campaigning in Cagayan

VP Binay at PHL mining confab. Vice President Jejomar Binay (center) exchanges pleasantries with Artemio Disini (right), Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) chairman, and Benjamin Philip Romualdez, CMP president, during the 25th Philippine Mining Conference at Sofitel in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 17. Danny Pata Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday denied that he was already campaigning when he went to Cagayan and Isabela to bring relief goods to victims of typhoon Luis, a report on GMA’s “24-Oras” said Wednesday. He said his visit to the Cagayan Valley an act to help victims of the typhoon after he was questioned for giving out t-shirts. “Unang-una, masama ba ‘yun? Pangalawa ‘di ba mataas ang priority nun? Biro mo naman dahil sa Signal No. 3 ‘yung dumating ang isang taga pamahalaan ay nagpapakita na mayroong caring na government,” he said. Meanwhile, members of the United Makati Against Corruption (UMAC) picketed outside the Vice President’s office in the Coconut Palace. The UMAC challenged Binay to face the Senate investigation on the alleged overpriced Makati Cityhall parking building. Binay and his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, are facinig plunder charges in connection with the P2.7-billion  Binay is set to deliver a public address around 2 p.m. on Thursday regarding the issue at the Philippine International Convention Center. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News

Jessa Zaragoza nervous about performing Himig Handog entry

 Entertainment
Sep 172014
 
Jessa Zaragoza nervous about performing Himig Handog entry

Jessa Zaragoza (MNS photo) The country’s “Phenomenal Diva” Jessa Zaragoza will be interpreting “Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan,” an entry to this year’s Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songwriting contest, written by Sarah Jane Gandia. Jessa will be performing the song live during finals night on Sept. 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And she is nervous. “I know this is a songwriting composition but people will also expect a lot from the interpreter of the song. So, for me, I really want to give justice to ‘Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan,’ (to) make the composer happy as well as the people listening to it,” shared Jessa. This is not the first time that Jessa will interpret a song for Himig Handog. In 2004, She interpreted “Susubukan Kong Muli,” an entry written by Jan Lopez. She didn’t know that she was four months pregnant at the time, and when she found out, she opted to not to sing during the finals. “I didn’t want to be stressed,” Jessa recalled. According to Jonathan Manalo of Star Records, it was Arnee Hidalgo who took over Jessa’s role. Seeing the list of interpreters for this year’s competition added pressure to Jessa, noting how these include some of the country’s best. Among singers included in the list are Morissette (“Akin Ka Na Lang” by Francis Louis Salazar); Jovit Baldivino (“Dito” by Raizo Brent Chabeldin and Biv De Vera); Ebe Dancel with Abra (“Halik sa Hangin” by David Dimaguila); Angeline Quinto (“Hanggang Kailan” by Jose Joel Mendoza); Juris (“Hindi Read More …

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