Obama reform to benefit thousands of undocumented Filipinos

 Entertainment
Nov 252014
 
Obama reform to benefit thousands of undocumented Filipinos

By Nimfa U. Rueda A promise is a promise: Even during his first term, President Barack Obama has wanted to reform the broken immigration system. Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Obama has been telling America of his plan to overhaul the immigration system as in his remarks on immigration reform at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas back way back in January 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) LOS ANGELES – President Barack Obama drew mixed reactions among Filipino-American immigration advocates last week after he outlined his plan to shield up to 5 million immigrants – including tens of thousands of Filipinos – from deportation. The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (Naffaa) threw its full support behind Obama’s sweeping immigration reform, saying “his bold decision is a step forward” in fixing a broken immigration system and addressing the plight of undocumented Filipinos. The Los Angeles-based Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) called it a “partial victory” for Fil-Am immigration advocates who have been pushing for a path to citizenship for undocumented Filipinos. “It’s the biggest relief granted since 1986, but it’s not a complete victory,” said PWC Director Aquilina Soriano-Versoza, who watched Obama’s televised immigration speech at a gathering of Fil-Am community members at the nonprofit’s LA headquarters. One of the undocumented Filipinos who attended the event said he was “very disappointed” that he and the majority of undocumented Filipinos “have been left out.” “I haven’t seen my family in the Philippines for 11 years,” said the 50-year-old healthcare Read More …

James Reid’s ex-GF clears Nadine in breakup

 Entertainment
Nov 252014
 
James Reid’s ex-GF clears Nadine in breakup

James Reid and Nadine Lustre (MNS Photo) James Reid’s former girlfriend, singer Ericka Villongco, clarified that the actor’s onscreen partner, Nadine Lustre, had nothing do do with their breakup early this year. Villongco said she and Reid had been together for three years when they broke up in March, a month before the release of “Diary ng Panget,” the actor’s first film with Lustre. “No, there was no third party. James was loyal, he was faithful, very loving,” said Villongco, without going into details about the reason behind the split. The singer quashed speculation that Reid’s tandem with Lustre affected their relationship, saying she even spoke with the actress after the breakup. “Nadine is very lovely, down-to-earth. After I broke up with James, we even talked. She told me, ‘I’m here for you.’ I’m happy for her team-up with James,” she said. According to Villongco, she met Reid in 2010 when he made an appearance in the music video of her single with sister Krissy, with whom she was identified as an acoustic duo at the time. “We started out as friends,” she said. “He was very honest. He has a unique style of courting, direct to the point, very honest.” While Villongco did not say if she and Reid are still in touch, the actor hinted that they have yet to become friends again after the split. The actor acknowledged the statements of Villongco, adding that “everything she said is the truth.” Addressing Villongco, Reid added: “I just want Read More …

Manny Pacquiao on Chris Algieri: ‘Naawa din talaga ako sa kanya’

 Entertainment
Nov 252014
 
Manny Pacquiao on Chris Algieri: ‘Naawa din talaga ako sa kanya’

Chris Algieri of the U.S. falls as he takes a punch from Manny Pacquiao (left) of the Philippines during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) 12-round welterweight title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 23, 2014.(MNS photo) MACAU (Mabuhay) – A day after carving out an impressive win, Manny Pacquiao admitted feeling a tinge of pity for Chris Algieri. Pacquiao, a seasoned boxer who plucked the crowns in eight different weight classes, revealed that the inexperience of Algieri doomed the American fighter’s chances in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight Sunday at the Cotai Arena inside The Venetian here. The Filipino champion noted that from start to finish, Algieri could do nothing but run, duck, and absorb the heavy punches that Pacquiao unleashed. “Naawa din ako sa kanya,” said Pacquiao in his luxurious hotel suite moments before flying out of this Asian gambling capital on one of the two chartered AirAsia flights to General Santos City where a hero’s welcome awaits him. “Yung experience kasi niya kulang na kulang tapos isinabak agad. May potensyal sana pero nasabak agad sa mas beteranong boksingero. Kulang pa talaga sa experience. Malayong malayo ang level.” Pacquiao, who became the toast of the town after winning over a long line of legends that includes Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, dominated the 30-year old Algieri and pushed him to the brink of a complete destruction after knocking him down six times, one of the most Read More …

Palace sees continues business confidence for PHL

 Entertainment
Nov 252014
 
Palace sees continues business confidence for PHL

President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion during the inauguration ceremony at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). With the President are Coca Cola officials and some members of the local government of Laguna. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Palace said it expects business confidence in the Philippines to continue in the coming years after a new survey found high expectations for the Philippines. The survey shows a rosy picture of business confidence for the Philippines in the last quarter of 2014. “Nakita din natin itong survey na ito conducted by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) at umaasa tayo na magpapatuloy ang kumpyansa ng ating mga negosyante dahil malaking bahagi rin po ang ating mga negosyante doon sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday. Valte also told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the Philippines faired well in the recent anti-modern slavery index. In the 2014 Global Slavery Index (GSI), the Philippines placed first in Asia and third in the Asia Pacific region. It is ranked 29th globally among 167 countries covered by the GSI, Valte said. With the country’s good standing, Valte said she expects the report to encourage the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to work harder. The IACAT is under the Department of Justice and the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies. (MNS)

Miriam: New definition of ‘savings’ unconstitutional

 General
Nov 252014
 
Miriam: New definition of ‘savings’ unconstitutional

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago announces during a press conference on Wednesday (July 2, 2014) that she has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. “God never asks us for an opinion. God just goes ahead and does whatever is in His hands. I just say okay,” Santiago says. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday criticized “minefields” in the 2015 budget, including an alleged “unconstitutional” definition of savings and the retention of pork barrel funds under a different name. In a privilege speech, Santiago urged a return to the old definition of savings that refer to portions or balances “which are (i) still available after the cancellation or final discontinuance or abandonment of the work, activity, or purpose for which the appropriation is authorized…” She warned that the new definition of savings talks simply of discontinuance or abandonment at any time. “It could be during the first month, first quarter, first half. A deferral of a project can be construed as discontinuance or abandonment; the same project may be resubmitted for congressional authorization next year or two years from now. This contravenes the constitutional mandate of Congress to authorize appropriations but may later be declared by the DBM Secretary as abandoned, at its whims and caprices, and then he may use the appropriations for another project which has not been previously authorized by Congress,” she said. Santiago said that under the 2015 budget, an agency that fails to obligate any allotment loses it. “What happens to Read More …

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