Maniolas

In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines |   – The Philippines has suspended operations at a South China Sea natural gas project because it is also claimed by China and the dispute is before a UN tribunal, its contractor said Tuesday. UK-listed Forum Energy said the Philippine energy department’s order halted its exploration activities at the Reed Bank section of the sea, as of December 15 last year. “Forum… today confirms that the Philippine Department of Energy has granted a force majeure on Service Contract 72 because this contract area falls within the territorial disputed area of the West Philippine Sea,” said its mother firm Philex Petroleum. The area “is the subject of an United Nations arbitration process between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China”, according to the Philex disclosure released by the Philippine Stock Read More …

Los Angeles  – The Philippine Consulate General is pleased to announce that we have opened our doors to serve the public at its new location at 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90010. The change of location, that is four blocks from its present location, is part of a wider effortof the Consulate to deliver better client experience and to enhance the image and representation of the Philippines in Southern California. Parking with validation is available at the Equitable Bank Building.

Senators Juan Edgardo Angara (left) and Aquilino Pimentel III (extreme right) exchange views before the Senate passage on third and final reading of the bill postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections from Feb. 21, 2015 to the last Monday of October 2016. Also in photo are Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Senate committee on ways and means approved a bill that would institutionalize a monitoring system for tax incentives that business entities, corporations and private individuals are receiving from the government. In a hearing on Tuesday, the committee chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara approved Senate Bill (SB) 2669 or the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA) which seeks to promote transparency and accountability in giving and administering tax incentives. Though tax incentives are an important component of the fiscal policy to attract investments, their proper administration is necessary to ensure that the incentives would not have an adverse impact on government revenue, Angara pointed out in an e-mailed statement Wednesday. The incentives on investments in 2011 reached P144 billion, Angara noted, citing a report by the Department of Finance (DOF). The amount is equivalent to 9 percent of the actual government spending and 1.5 percent of the gross domestic product for that year, according to the report. “The Philippines remains strongly competitive in the region… The steady stream of FDIs or foreign direct investments into our economy is not a mere coincidence. It is Read More …

Farmers hold a noise barrage in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City on Tuesday for the passage of agrarian reform bills pending in Congress. A total of 81 Catholic bishops signed a petition on Monday appealing to President Aquino and Congress to pass the bills. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police General Hospital is waiting for the medical results of former APEC Party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez before they make a recommendation on his transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Dagong Diwa in Taguig. During the hearing before the Sandiganbayan 5th division, PNP medical officer Dr. Benaly Bayani said they are just waiting for the results of Valdez’s 2D echo test and full abdominal ultrasound. These tests were done after Valdez complained of chest pains. Valdez, accused of plunder and graft in connection to the pork scam, has hypertension and type-2 diabetes. Bayani said, however, that Valdez’s hypertension is manageable. His BP is at 120/150. The diabetes, on the other hand, does not require the injection of insulin, the doctor said. The fifth division earlier ordered that as soon as Valdez is discharged, he should be brought to the BJMP facility. Valdez’s lawyer, Joel Ferrer, said they will abide by the court’s ruling saying the continued stay of his client in the hospital may even worsen his condition. “Baka ‘pag nasa ospital, lalo pa magkasakit,” said Ferrer. (MNS)

Continuing its tradition of presenting quality, enjoyable concerts, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside the Philippines, will perform an entire concert devoted to Broadway favorites. “FASO Goes Broadway,” featuring Filipino vocalists, including talented children, as backed by 50 orchestra members, will be staged on Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. As a follow up to its very successful “Swing the Night Away!” show late last year, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) goes Broadway on Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. “This will be a thrilling show since it will be the first time that FASO will perform an entire concert devoted to Broadway music,” said Luis “Louie” Ramos, vice president and arranger-in-residence of FASO, the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside the Philippines. “ ‘FASO Goes Broadway’ will honor and feature Filipino artists who have made it and performed on Broadway, including Joan Almedilla and Bonifacio ‘Bones’ Deoso,” Ramos added. “We are also featuring talented Filipino American performers who deserve to be getting major breaks. We would like to help promote these artists.” FASO, which is known for its well-received, highly entertaining and enjoyable concerts, promises another special, must-watch evening. The orchestra, 50-member strong for this show, will treat the audience to songs from Broadway musical favorites including “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” (“I Dreamed a Dream”) and “My Fair Lady” (“I Could Have Danced All Night”). Under the baton of Robert “Bob” Shroder, FASO’s highly esteemed musical Read More …