Sep 122014
 
Alex asked: Joseph or Arjo?

Alex Gonzaga (MNS photo) Alex Gonzaga is proud to be single. The 26-year-old actress said that she is enjoying juggling several projects. Gonzaga was part of the recently concluded reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” and was one of the hosts of ABS-CBN’s “The Voice Kids.” She is currently stars in the primetime series “Pure Love.” “Talagang I’m so proud of myself. It has been 8 months. I’m so single and so loving it,” she said. Gonzaga was formerly in a relationship with Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano. She has since been linked with a celebrities, including comedian Ryan Bang and “Pure Love” co-star Arjo Atayde. The two have expressed their intentions of wooing the actress, although Bang appears to have moved on after introducing his new “inspiration” in an episode of “It’s Showtime.” Asked who she would pick between Atayde and her other co-star Joseph Marco, the actress picked the latter. “Kay Joseph po. Kasi mas malapit siya sa edad ko. Pero okay lang si Arjo, okay siyang kaibigan. Sobrang bait niya,” she said. While she has only had a few relationships, this did not stop Gonzaga from writing her first self-help book about breakups. “Gusto ko po talaga sa book is to help young girls na feeling nila na ‘yung lalaki na ‘yun ang buhay nila na magpapakamatay na sila, hahabulin nila,” she said. “There are two things in life that you don’t chase—true love and true friends,” she added. (MNS)

Sep 122014
 
DAP fund controversy

I hope Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s intention to file a resolution requesting the Senate leadership to conduct question hour on Budget Secretary Butch Abad pushes through and force him to release vital information regarding the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). At least Santiago’s question hour with Abad is much, much more credible than the previous Senate inquiry that they did on Abad. Senate President Frank Drilon, the biggest “pork barrel” beneficiary, coached Abad in parrying questions thrown by some senators amid allegations that most, if not all projects funded through DAP, were either fake or grossly overpriced. As long as Drilon is the Senate President, and Belmonte as Speaker of the house, I don’t have much hope in both chambers ever reasserting their independence from Malacañang. Both Drilon and Belmonte will do whatever Malacañang wants. Drilon and some other senators and congressmen who benefitted from the DAP funds have lost all their moral authority to govern. The public has lost faith in them, except for a few lawmakers. Abad’s  presence in the Senate however will require presidential approval, according to a Malacañang spokesman. If and when President Noynoy invokes his executive privilege, the Senate cannot compel Abad to testify about the illegal DAP funds. I do not see any reason for the President to prevent Abad from appearing before the Senate and being subjected to the question hour since the information the Senate seeks is not covered by the doctrine of executive privilege. Unless the administration wants Abad to withhold Read More …

Sep 122014
 
VP Binay got 13% kickback from every Makati project: former vice mayor

“I will be the next president” is perhaps what Philippine’s Vice President Jejomar Binay is telling U.S. President Barrack Obama as he welcomes the U.S. president upon his arrival at an airport in Manila April 28, 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay received 13 percent kickback in every contract for projects entered into by the Makati City government during his incumbency as mayor, former Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado told the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday. During the hearing, Mercado said the 13 percent is divided into three portions – one for Mayor Junjun Binay, Binay’s son who was then a councilor; another for a certain Ebeng, supposedly Binay’s assistant; and another for Gerry Limlingan, Binay’s finance officer. He said he personally delivered the money to the three. Binay, a strong contender in the 2016 presidential elections, and his son have been named respondents in a plunder complaint in connection with the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II. Mercado said the money was placed in three different bags. He said the portion for Junjun Binay was for their family while the portion for Limlingan was for Binay’s vice presidential bid. He said the amount of the money depended on the collections they got. “Depende sa koleksyon, sa voucher na nakukolekta. P1.5 million to P2 million ang minimum. Minsan umaabot din sa P10 million ang isang bag,” Mercado said. Money was delivered two or three times a week, Mercado said, although Read More …

Sep 122014
 
Trillanes wants contractor of controversial Makati building blacklisted

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Koko Pimentel III conduct an ocular inspection of the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II on Monday, September 1. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) –Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to put Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation, general contractor of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall building II project, on provisional blacklist for its supposed irregular practices. During the continuation of the hearing of the blue ribbon committee on the alleged overpricing, Trillanes also asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to withhold further payments to the construction company until the issue on the Makati City Hall building II is resolved. “Very unsound yung ginagawa nila. They will build a foundation [pero] hindi alam kung gaano kataas yung itatayong building. That is what you get, Hilmarcs. Kung hindi nyo sinisilip yung plano ng gagawin nyo, hindi dapat makakakuha ng proyekto ang Hilmarc’s and for COA to tignan muna, i-notify bago bayaran,” he said. Engr. Efren Canlas, chairman of the board and incorporation of Hilmarc’s, admitted during the hearing that they had yet to see the entire plan or design of the controversial building when they joined the bidding for its construction. He said what they saw was only the “scope of work.” “For the record po, when you bidded for Phase 1 [of the construction], wala kayong nakitang final look ng building na gagawin nyo? Na ginagawan nyo ng foundation for? You knew it was a building, ang itsura Read More …

Sep 122014
 
Aquino visit to France seen to reap ‘economic, political, cultural gains’

By Matikas Santos |INQUIRER.net 5:11 pm | Friday, September 12th, 2014 Ambassador Gilles Garachon. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The French Ambassador to the Philippines sees the upcoming visit of President Benigno Aquino III to France as a big boost to the diplomatic relations of both countries. “President Aquino’s trip to France, as well as to the other European countries and to the European Union (EU), shows the existing partnership between our governments, as well as the continuing friendship between our peoples,” Ambassador Gilles Garachon said in a statement Friday. “This visit is expected to reap economic, political, and cultural gains for both our countries, which we hope would lead to greater opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Perhaps next year, we could see a visit by French President François Hollande to the Philippines,” he said. Aquino will be travelling to four countries in Europe: Belgium, France, Spain, and Germany from Sept. 13 to 20. After Europe, Aquino will fly to the United States, where he will visit Boston, New York, and San Francisco from Septemer 20 to 23. This is Aquino’s first trip as Philippine president to the European countries. Diplomatic relations between Philippines and France were first formalized in 1947. There are at least 51,000 Filipinos in France as of December 2012 figures of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The majority of them, around 42,000, are irregular in status while there are 8,600 permanent and 1,000 temporary Filipinos in France. “Today, we are witnessing an exciting phase in bilateral Read More …

Sep 122014
 
DFA assures China nationals are safe in PH

By Matikas Santos |INQUIRER.net 4:57 pm | Friday, September 12th, 2014 DFA Assistant Secretary and spokesman Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has assured the Chinese Foreign Ministry of the safety of Chinese nationals in the Philippines despite reported threats. “We would like to reiterate that the Department has reassured the Chinese Embassy of appropriate and necessary protection to guard against threats and prevent any violent incidents,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement Friday. “We have also reassured them that the appropriate Philippine authorities are fully investigating the group associated with the three suspects of the NAIA Terminal 3 incident on September 1, 2014,” he said. China published a security advisory on their Ministry of Foreign Affairs website Friday asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines because of threats. “Given that the safety situation in the Philippines is deteriorating, the consular service of the foreign ministry is asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines for the time being,” the security advisory said. A group had attempted to bomb NAIA Terminal 3 with incendiary devices. The airport was just one of their planned targets which include the Chinese Embassy, Chinese businesses, and a major mall. The group reportedly was not satisfied with the government’s steps in the country’s maritime dispute in the South China Sea with China. RELATED STORIES China issues travel warning for the Philippines Chinese teenager kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay Group behind Naia bomb try Read More …

Sep 122014
 
400 kilos of ‘shabu’ seized from 4 Chinese nationals in Pampanga

By Julliane Love de Jesus |INQUIRER.net 3:25 pm | Friday, September 12th, 2014 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–At least four Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday in a raid at a covert drug laboratory in a San Fernando, Pampanga subdivision. Chief Inspector Roque Merdegia Jr., Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP AIDSOTF), said in a text message to INQUIRER.net that ‎about 400 kilos of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were seized. Merdegia, however, could not give an estimate yet on ‎the value of shabu seized. The raid was a joint operation of the PNP AIDSOTF and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). RELATED STORIES PNP slams acquittal of 3 Chinese drug suspects 10 kilos of shabu seized from Chinese national in buybust operation–report Follow Us Other Stories: UK envoy supports US attack vs ISIS California solons push for ‘Health for All’ law for the undocumented Aquino to talk of good governance, economic growth in European trip Filipinos, other residents march against violence in SF neighborhood Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Short URL: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/?p=111019 Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Read More …

Sep 122014
 
China issues travel warning for the Philippines

Associated Press 2:39 pm | Friday, September 12th, 2014 INQUIRER.net STOCK PHOTO MANILA, Philippines— China on Friday warned its citizens not to travel to the Philippines after a Chinese teenager who worked in a family-run store was kidnapped. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it was worried because of plots confirmed by the police in the Philippines that criminal groups planned to attack the Chinese embassy, Chinese companies and public venues such as malls. “Given that the safety situation in the Philippines is deteriorating, the consular service of the foreign ministry is asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines for the time being,” the warning read. The warning comes as relations between the countries have soured and even turned hostile in recent years as Beijing and Manila battle over claims to the same territory in the South China Sea. On late Thursday, 18-year-old Li Peizhi was seized by unidentified gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay province’s Kabasalan township, Senior Inspector Leo Castillo said. The gunmen also took 20,000 pesos ($455) from the store’s cash register. Castillo, the provincial police spokesman, said officers in pursuit found the kidnappers’ vehicle burning in a village about two kilometers (1.25 miles) away. Mayor George Cainglet said Abu Sayyaf militants who kidnapped Australian Warren Richard Rodwell in 2011 may have been involved. He said no ransom demand had been made. RELATED STORIES Chinese teenager kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay Group behind Naia bomb try bitter at gov’t tack vs China – NBI Follow Us Other Stories: Read More …

Sep 122014
 
UK envoy supports US attack vs ISIS

By Matikas Santos |INQUIRER.net 2:23 pm | Friday, September 12th, 2014 British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad expressed support for the US’ order to launch airstrikes against ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) saying that the group does not represent the values of Islam. “Essentially, what you have is a group of people who’ve brought chaos to the [Middle East] and now they are trying to propagate this around the world,” Ahmad, a Muslim, told reporters Friday after a vaccination drive for children organized by the British Embassy. “There is nothing in Islam that says women should be kidnapped and ordered to act as prostitutes. There is nothing that says you capture people from other religions and force them to convert to Islam. It is totally forbidden. There is nothing that says innocent people should be kidnapped and held for ransom,” he said referring to the violent acts committed by members of ISIS. US President Barack Obama on Wednesday (US time) announced a “systematic campaign of airstrikes” against ISIS and increased support for the Iraqi military who are fighting the terrorist groups on the ground. Previous reports said that some Filipinos have gone to Iraq or Syria to join the terrorist group and the DFA admitted that there is no way to verify such reports. “I would have to talk with the other members of the interagency [committee] who are monitoring this namely the security agencies as well as the Department of National Defense. I will Read More …