Erap, if he runs again, may take votes away from Binay, Poe in 2016 – partylist solon

 News
Jan 212015
 
Erap, if he runs again, may take votes away from Binay, Poe in 2016 – partylist solon

Erap jubilant over SC junking of disqualification petition. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada expresses jubilation as he faces reporters in a press conference at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, after hearing the news the Supreme Court junked the disqualification petition against him. Danny Pata The 2016 presidential race just got more interesting now that the Supreme Court has ruled that Manila mayor Joseph Estrada can run for public office, a party-list lawmaker said Wednesday. ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said voters who are rooting for either Vice President Jejomar Binay or Senator Grace Poe might end up voting for Estrada should he should he make yet another bid for the presidency next year. “[Mayor Estrada] will still be considered a formidable presidential candidate, lalo na kung pagbabatayan natin iyong naging performance niya noong 2010,” told reporters at a press briefing. “Ang vote base niya (Estrada), iyon din ang potentially ang boboto for Binay and even for Grace Poe so this will make things interesting,” Tinio added. Estrada placed second to President Benigno Aquino III in the 2010 presidential elections, garnering over nine million votes. Binay, who was Estrada’s running mate in 2010, is the frontrunner among presidential candidates in recent election surveys while Poe has consistently placed second.  Wednesday, the Supreme Court junked the disqualification case filed against Estrada by the lawyer of former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim. Voting 11-3, the Supreme Court ruled that the pardon granted by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Estrada for his plunder conviction Read More …

SK polls 2015: Comelec gun ban starts on Thursday 

 News
Jan 212015
 
SK polls 2015: Comelec gun ban starts on Thursday 

The Commission on Elections has reminded the public of a gun ban that will be in effect starting tomorrow in connection with the Sangguniang Kabataan elections in February, a report on GMA’s “24-Oras” said Wednesday. The SK elections will be held on February 21, 2015. According to the report, Comelec has warned that as early as Thursday, violators can be sent to prison for up to six years even if the SK elections will be held next month. The Comelec said violators may also lose the right to vote and be elected into a government position. The poll body added that aside from the gun ban, having security personnel or bodyguards is also prohibited. As an added reminder, it said that those who previously had certain exceptions in the previous election need to submit a new application. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News

Drilon wants NLEX, SCTEX toll collection system simplified

 Entertainment
Jan 212015
 
Drilon wants NLEX, SCTEX toll collection system simplified

Senate President Franklin Drilon delivering his eulogy for former Senator Flavier. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A simplified toll collection system in the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways (NLEX and SCTEX) may soon come about after Senate President Franklin Drilon met with officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation last week. In a statement Monday, Drilon said he imposed a deadline for BCDA and MPTC to approve and implement the NLEX-SCTEX integration as a way of avoiding the dilemma and inconvenience experienced by commuters, especially during peak seasons. At the height of the holiday exodus last month, Drilon complained that he was on the road for more than 11 hours traveling from San Juan to Baguio City. He cited the inefficient toll collection system. Early last week, the Senate leader met with the officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication, BCDA, MPTC, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) to iron out issues in implementing the planned integration for NLEX and SCTEX, which has been pending for years. Among those present were DOTC Undersecretary Jose Lotilla, Ramoncito Fernandez of MPTC, Rodrigo Franco of MNTC, Arnel Casanova of BCDA, and Robert Suansing of TRB. Drilon urged the officials to fast-track the integration plan by signing the agreement scheduled on February 12 this year in the Office of the Senate President. “To expedite the process, the TRB will simultaneously monitor and review the toll collection systems integration agreement to make sure it Read More …

Dingdong speaks up about ‘royal wedding’

 Entertainment
Jan 212015
 
Dingdong speaks up about ‘royal wedding’

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (MNS Photo) Two weeks after he married Marian Rivera in what many dubbed as a “royal wedding,” Dingdong Dantes finally broke his silence and addressed his critics. While many were entertained by the celebrity wedding, the couple also received criticism for what some felt was a display of extravagance amid the widespread poverty in the country. Some even accused the couple of not spending their own money for the special occasion, claiming that the event was supposedly sponsored by different people. Dantes stressed that he paid for their wedding. “Ako kasi ang thinking ko kasi diyan itong araw na ito is really for her and it’s for the sake of our families. But it’s really more for her. I really want it as a gift para sa kanya. So dapat lang naman talaga [na ako ang gumastos],” he explained. While “help” from their friends were graciously accepted, Dantes explained that the wedding was not fully sponsored. “Sabihin na lang natin na meron kaming mga naging kaibigan even before this and they are helping us in so many ways. Hindi naman pupwedeng sabihin na dole out 100% dahil negosiyo rin nila ‘yan eh and at the same time kaibigan rin namin sila.” “Siguro isipin na lang natin na nagtutulungan kami, in the same way na tinutulungan nila kami sa mga needs namin. And sana makatulong rin kami sa kanila in the future in what way or means possible,” he added. Asked how long he has saved Read More …

We were all blessed, honored and enthralled by the Pope’s visit

 Entertainment
Jan 212015
 
We were all blessed, honored and enthralled by the Pope’s visit

Pinoys all over the country hailed “ Pope Francis, mahal na mahal namin kayo!” We all felt that we were blessed, honored and enthralled by the Pontiff’s visit. From day one of his four-day visit, Pope Francis graciously accepted true Pinoy hospitality, which we are known for. He smiled and acknowledged initially receiving the lovely, fragrant sampaguita leis from TV personality, Boots Anson-Roa to President Benigno Aquino’s gift of the wood sculpture of Our Lady, the Undoer of Knots, for which Pres.Aquino was made aware of the Pontiff’s special devotion to her. At his Mall of Asia speech, Pope Francis stressed the importance of family. Families from various communities in the country spoke on their struggles in “keeping the family together.”  The Pope’s family encounter included prominent families such as the family of former Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, the family of Sixto Dizon of Quezon, who fought during the Japanese time, the family of Renato Cruz who are both deaf and whose mission is to have a ministry to empower and help those who are deaf, mute and hard-of hearing. Pope Francis lauded all of the families that spoke and recounted the memories of his family while growing up in Argentina.  His father and mother dreamt of a happy family.and on that note, he said “never lose the ability to dream, or you lose the capacity to love. It is important “to dream with your family and find solutions to family problems.” As he recalled his youth, he interjected humor Read More …

House panel waits for DOF comment on firecracker tax

 Entertainment
Jan 212015
 
House panel waits for DOF comment on firecracker tax

Filipinos watch fireworks light up the sky to welcome in the New Year in Manila, Philippines, Saturday Jan. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A proposal to regulate the use of firecrackers by imposing a 20-percent excise tax on their sale remains stuck at the House Ways and Means committee, with the Department of Finance (DOF) yet to submit its position paper on the measure. “We are awaiting the DOF position, their estimates,” said committee chairman Marikina City Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo. Although the panel has been deliberating on House Bill 3685 since last year, Quimbo said its passage will depend on its enforceability. “The basic philosophy is that we don’t pass a revenue measure that is not administratively feasible,” he said. The proposal, authored by Ako Bicol party-list Reps. Rodel Batocabe and Christopher Co, seeks to amend Section 150-A, Chapter VI of RA 8242, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, by imposing a 20 percent excise tax on firecrackers. Republic Act 7183, the law on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, only prohibits and penalizes the sale of illegal firecrackers. Representatives from the firecrackers industry have opposed the measure, saying locally manufactured firecrackers and pyrotechnics comprise only 20 percent of the market. Celso Cruz of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PPMDAPI) and Joven Ong of the Philippine Firecrackers Association (PFA) told lawmakers at the committee hearings that the local firecrackers industry will suffer if HB 3685 becomes a Read More …

Sutherland to hire 700 more workers

 Economy
Jan 212015
 
Sutherland to hire 700 more workers

LEADING business process outsourcing (BPO) company Sutherland Global Services (SGS) will be hiring 700 more workers for their Davao City operation by the first quarter of this year to be able to cater to the growing demands of their clients. SGS-Davao City talent management senior manager MarsyInigo, who guested in yesterday’s edition of Club 888 at Marco Polo Hotel Davao, said they are looking into expanding their manpower from some 2,000 to some 3,000 by the end of 2015 and the hiring of 700 individuals is part of achieving their goal this year. For her part, SGS-Davao City recruitment senior manager Grace Garay said the newly hired agents will also fill in the vacancies of employees that have left the company. She said they are looking for call center agents for a United States (US)-based telecommunications company with six months experience, technical support agents for a US-based anti-virus software company, and customer sales agent for another US-based telecommunications company. Garay said those who will be accepted as call center agents for a United States (US)-based telecommunications company with six months experience will receive a signing bonus of P30,000. She said those who will be accepted as customer sales agent for another US-based telecommunications company will receive a signing bonus of P5,000. Garay said they are accepting applicants who has at least two year college education, willingness to work in different shifts, has good communication skills, and flexibility. Interested applicants may apply at the SGS-Davao City along Jacinto Extension. The company Read More …

Congress to prioritize Bangsamoro Law in 2015 – Drilon

 General
Jan 212015
 
Congress to prioritize Bangsamoro Law in 2015 – Drilon

SENATE INQUIRY ON ICC: Senate President Franklin Drilon (left) denies he has anything to do with the bidding for the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center. “To set the record straight, I had nothing to do with the bidding for the project. I did not participate in the constitution of the Bids and Awards Committee. I did not interfere with any part of the bidding process, nor did I nominate or appoint the winning bidder,”Drilon told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the convention center. Also in photo is Senator Teogisto “TG” Guingona III, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon assured Monday the Senate will prioritize this year the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law alongside bills ensuring sustainable economic growth. In a press statement, Drilon said the Senate has made the BBL a priority because of its importance to securing not only peace in Mindanao, “but also genuine social justice and economic development which can end the poverty and social inequities that have plagued the region for too long.” “The present situation provides many opportunities towards sustainable peace. We cannot fail our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. The Senate is one with the administration in its goal to pass the BBL, and we remain confident that even with the many important debates, we can pass the BBL within the year,” he said. The Senate committees Read More …

Bilibid inmate eyes criminal raps vs. De Lima

 News
Jan 212015
 
Bilibid inmate eyes criminal raps vs. De Lima

The lawyer of one of the inmates transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to the National Bureau of Investigation compound is set to file criminal charges against Justice Sectetary Leila De Lima over alleged human rights violation. A report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” on Wednesday quoted lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of inmate Noel Martinez, as saying that his client was denied access to his lawyers and loved ones since he and 19 other high-profile inmates were transferred to an NBI facility last December 15. Topacio reportedly said this during the hearing at the Court of Appeals in connection to the application of writ of amparo filed against De Lima by the families of the inmates. De Lima ordered the transfer of the inmates following a surprise raid at the NBP where VIP treatment and illegal items were discovered. Topacio insisted there was no basis under the law to justify the transfer. GMA News Online tried but failed to contact De Lima for her comment. However, De Lima has earlier said there was nothing illegal in the transfer of the inmates. —Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News

1,292 pass Pharmacist Licensure Exam –PRC

 General
Jan 212015
 
1,292 pass Pharmacist Licensure Exam –PRC

A total of 1,292 out of 2,295 passed the Pharmacist Licensure Examination given in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo this month, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Wednesday. [Click here for complete list of passers.] The PRC said registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on January 28, 29 and 30, 2015. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees will be announced later, the PRC added. —KBK, GMA News

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