Koko to withdraw contempt recommendation if Junjun Binay, others attend hearing

 News
Jan 212015
 
Koko to withdraw contempt recommendation if Junjun Binay, others attend hearing

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday expressed willingness to withdraw his recommendation to cite in contempt Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and six others should they attend scheduled hearings on the Makati City Hall Building II.  “If they voluntarily appear (on Thursday), I will move for the withdrawal of my recommendation to cite them in contempt. Or maybe on Monday, if they will make [a] commitment that they will appear in future hearings, ganun po yun. Basta nobody wants to cite anybody in contempt but if it is necessary, we will have to do it,” Pimentel told reporters. Pimentel chairs the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee which has been holding public hearings on the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II. On Tuesday, he disclosed that he has recommended to the mother Senate blue ribbon committee to cite in contempt the following for their failure to attend the hearings: Binay City Administrator Eleno Mendoza University of Makati president Tomas Lopez Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy former City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra Engineer Line Dela Peña Bernadette Portallano Pimentel’s committee had issues several invitations, subpoena, and show cause orders to the seven personalities but all were ignored. The subcommittee is set to resume its hearing on controversial Makati building on Thursday morning. “They have been ignoring more than five subpoenas, from two to five subpoenas. Sobra na po yun. They have forced the Senate,” Pimentel said. “Yung power to cite persons in contempt, sparingly used yan e. Madali magpatawad ang Read More …

PHL, US concerned over Chinese reclamation in South China Sea

 News
Jan 212015
 
PHL, US concerned over Chinese reclamation in South China Sea

The Philippines and the United States on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the ongoing Chinese reclamation of contested areas in the South China Sea, describing the status of structures there as “massive” and “growing.” Philippine and US officials, who concluded their two-day meeting in Manila aimed at strengthening the two allies’ strategic defense and security alliance, once again criticized China’s indifference to international calls to stop the reclamation. “We have reaffirmed our continuing concern over the destabilizing activities that are contrary to the Declaration of the Code of the Conduct in the South China Sea, as well as international law,” Foreign Undersecretary for Policy Evan Garcia told a press conference. China’s simultaneous construction and expansion activities in several areas, which included features being claimed by Manila, has alarmed foreign governments, particularly the US and Japan. Beijing maintains ownership of nearly 90 percent of the waters, including islands, shoals and reefs, citing historical records and ancient maps to back its claim. “It is massive. Just look at the photographs. These are not small adjustments, these are huge activities that obviously designed to change the status quo,” Garcia said in a separate interview. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said China’s actions is “an ongoing concern” not only for the claimants, but for all Pacific nations, particularly the US, “that rely on freedom of navigation and sealanes and the principle of unimpeded and lawful commerce.” Apart from reclamation activities, China likewise beefed up its military and paramilitary presence in the contested waters, Read More …

Palace not worried about Erap’s political plans in 2016

 News
Jan 212015
 
Palace not worried about Erap’s political plans in 2016

Malacañang is not worried about the possibility of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada seeking a higher post in the 2016 elections. At a press briefing on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda expressed confidence that the electorate will give weight to reforms implemented by President Benigno Aquino III in choosing their candidates in the next polls. “Kung nakikita ng ating sambayanan ‘yung magandang nangyayari sa kanilang bansa, hindi ba gusto nilang ipagpatuloy ‘yon? ‘Yan din ang parating sinasabi ni Pangulong Aquino na gusto niya walang duda ang susunod na magpapatuloy ng kanyang mga reporma,” Lacierda told reporters. The Palace official issued this statement after the Supreme Court junked a disqualification case against Estrada filed by the lawyer of his rival, erstwhile Manila mayor Alfredo Lim. Lacierda maintained that the administration is “focused on governance” now, and not on political posturing. “The best way for the people to rally behind good governance is that we continue to provide good governance,” he said. Besides, Lacierda said Estrada himself has no plans yet of seeking a higher post in the upcoming national elections. The Palace official added that Aquino and Estrada remain “cordial” to each other. Estrada is a stalwart of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). During the 2010 elections, he came second to Aquino in the presidential race. —KBK, GMA News

PNP frowns on ‘diaper cops’

 News
Jan 212015
 
PNP frowns on ‘diaper cops’

Photos of at least two individuals who appear to be wearing a police shirt, cap and badges, and nothing more than diapers circulated online earlier this week, at the height of Pope Francis’ visit. But these diaper-wearing cops were anything but. Paul Agabin of Project Awesome Philippines earlier admitted they were fake cops who were part of a social experiment. “This is a social experiment regarding the MMDA Diapers issue, in order to investigate the effect of officers wearing diapers due to the limited portalets. But obviously, they can’t do the experiment with pants on,” the group said on its website. But the Philippine National Police was less than amused. In a report aired over GMA News’ “Unang Balita” on Wednesday, it said the images shown were highly insulting to the morale of the police force who worked hard to safeguard the Pope during his five-day visit. The video of the fake cops has since been removed from Project Awesome Philippines’ Facebook page. However, the same video remains available on the group’s website, along with a disclaimer. “They are in no way connected with real government agencies. The uniforms they have been wearing are fake. Their logos and badges are modified, No IDs, Generic Shirts, and they did it early in the morning before the mass to avoid issues,” the group said. —Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News

Koko urges colleagues to emulate Pope Francis

 General
Jan 212015
 
Koko urges colleagues to emulate Pope Francis

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday urged elected officials and the Filipino people to heed the call of recent Philippine visitor Pope Francis to live simply, with integrity and honesty, and be champions of the poor. “By the example of Pope Francis himself, the champion of the poor, [may our legislators] pass more laws that will benefit the common good and uplift the poor and underprivileged,” Pimentel said in his Senate Resolution 1110. The senator said the call of the Pope is ever more relevant as the Philippines faces the challenges of achieving inclusive growth, which despite the efforts of the government, still excludes a significant percentage of the population who continue to live in poverty. Pimentel said the poverty incidence in the country, based on the 2014 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority, has stayed at around 25 percent since 2003. “In a population of 100 million people, that would translate into some 25 million poor Filipinos who are marginalized, robbed of their dignity, and stripped of their basic human rights,” he said. He said the Pope himself chose to live simply as seen in the emblems of his office that he wears and the humble car he rode when he paid a  courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III last January 16. “Pope Francis also challenged everyone, at all levels of society to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor,” he said. “True to form, Pope Francis even requested the organizers of his Read More …

Lotto bettor bags P16M prize in Superlotto 6/49 draw

 News
Jan 202015
 
Lotto bettor bags P16M prize in Superlotto 6/49 draw

A lone lotto bettor bagged the P16-million jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s Superlotto 6/49 draw Tuesday evening. The PCSO said the bettor got the combination of 46-19-07-18-17-40 to win the day’s jackpot worth P16 million. But as in the past, the PCSO is not likely to name the winner for security reasons. Last Jan. 11, a bettor bagged a P160-million jackpot of the Superlotto 6/49 draw by getting the combination of 38-31-19-13-34-06 to win P160,083,688. On Jan. 9, a bettor bagged the jackpot of the Megalotto 6/45 draw, getting the combination of 32-24-12-28-31-18 to win P22,163,244.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

8990 Holdings launches P1.1-B Gen. Santos project

 Economy
Jan 202015
 
8990 Holdings launches P1.1-B Gen. Santos project

popular . Compassion, poverty and the Pope Personnel tasked to secure Pope Francis lauded Heard: Jamie Rivera still makes pop music Duterte appeals to NPA: Free jail warden within 72 hours Former Korean Air exec pleads not guilty in nut rage case Pope’s climate-change stand deepens conservatives’ distrust Pope announces first African trip Guarding 2 popes: UST security personnel’s overwhelming encounters videos Lao weavers showcase craft in rare lecture, exhibit at National Museum Jamie Rivera still makes pop music Filipinos pray, dance while waiting for Pope Francis’ Mass For ‘Yolanda’ survivors, Pope Francis spoke less but in volumes Pope Francis leaves Manila after 5-day visit By Doris C. Dumlao MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings is breaking into the residential property market of General Santos with the launch of a P1.1-billion housing project, thus expanding its footprint in Mindanao.The launch also marks the establishment of 8990’s seventh hub.In a briefing on Tuesday, 8990 Holdings president and chief executive officer Januario Jesus Atencio said the company still had a lot of room to grow, noting it was in only seven of the country’s 14 regional growth centers.Upbeat on prospects for the housing market, he said 8990 expected to sustain a growth of 20 percent each year.In 2014, he said 8990 was on track with its guidance of generating around P8 billion in revenues, out of which 40 percent in margins would likely be unlocked.About 8,000 residential units were completed last year by the listed company.This year, 8990 is setting aside P3 billion Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries