The sun feels closer to us in the summer. The life-giving sun brings about the summer splendor of the Philippines. It also sparks insights for this sequel to the article “Finding the core of an ethics program” I wrote under this column last year.
Members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the alleged overpricing of a 12-story building for the University of Makati’s nursing school watch a presentation on Monday. The building’s construction cost of P1.140 billion is alleged to be overpriced to benefit then mayor Jejomar Binay back in 2007. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Instead of wishing for the possible withdrawal of Vice President Jejomar Binay from the 2016 race, Senator Nancy Binay said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other would-be candidates should just show what they can do for the country. “Nakalulungkot kasi imbes na ipagdasal niya ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan para mapabuti ‘yung buhay nila, I think pinagdadasal niya na ‘Lord, please, huwag nang tumakbo si Vice para may pag-asa ako’,” Binay told reporters Monday afternoon. Earlier, Trillanes said he believes the Vice President might withdraw from the 2016 race because of allegations of corruption and the latter’s declining survey ratings. “Naniniwala ako na di na tatakbo si Vice President Binay. Aatras na siya ngayong nararamdaman niyang gumuguho na ang mundo niya,” said Trillanes, one of VP Binay’s vocal critics. But Sen. Binay said there could be other people behind Trillanes who are wishing that they would win by default. Trillanes earlier expressed readiness to run for a higher post in 2016. “Kailangan by default para manalo sila? Bakit, ‘di ba? Magpakitaan kayo kung ano ang nagawa ninyo at kaya ninyong gawin. Hindi ‘yung mananalo ka kasi ‘yung kalaban mo e kung baka e tinechnical mo at Read More …
Diana Zubiri (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Diana Zubiri and model-host boyfriend Andy Smith tied the knot last Sunday. Based on photos posted on social media, the wedding was held at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City. Andy proposed to Diana in Japan in February. They also took pre-nuptial photos while there. Few hours before their wedding, Andy shared his excitement on Instagram, relating, “Our big day has finally arrived @dianazubiri_ I will be marrying the love of my life and nothing excites me more to know u are my forever.” Among celebrities who attended the ceremony were Ogie Alcasid, Iza Calzado, Karylle, Camille Prats, Francine Prieto, Aubrey Miles, Troy Montero, Roxanne Barcelo, Paolo Ballesteros and Eric Tai. “Congratulations Joi @dianazubiri_ you are a great person and a wonderful friend. You deserve someone who will take care of you and King. It’s an honor to share in such a beautiful and important day. Best wishes for a future filled with happiness and love,” Francine posted. Already her second marriage, Diana first tied the knot in 2008. She lost her husband to cirrhosis of the liver in 2010. They have a son. Her last teleserye was ABS-CBN’s “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” in 2013. (MNS)
Senator Grace Poe (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A political analyst believes Sen. Grace Poe has a good chance of beating Vice-President Jejomar Binay in the 2016 elections if she decides to run for president. Political analyst Ramon Casiple said Poe is already a sure win for the vice-presidency. “She is the candidate to beat, more than one third want her,” he said. But he also believes the senator has a good chance of beating Binay, who has long declared his intention to run for president, if she decides to run for the country’s top post. ”Pagdating sa presidente, ang interesting dito, medyo nagsimula siya sa malayo pero recently mabilis ang taas, halos 100% ang taas niya. At ngayon nasa posisyon na siya to contend even sa frontrunner na si VP Binay,” Casiple said. ”Kung itutuloy ang momentum na iyan, ako hindi nagdududa let’s say in six months pagdating ng filing ng candidacy, malamang baka lumampas pa siya.” Poe on Monday confirmed that President Aquino met with her shortly before his recent trip to the US and Canada to discuss the 2016 elections, but she said the president did not ask her to run for any particular position. At the meeting, Poe said the President only told her that the Liberal Party (LP) needs an alternative to the opposition candidate. Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance has openly declared his intention to run for president in 2016. “Ang pinag-usapan namin ng ating pangulo ay ang kanyang layunin Read More …
Janet Lim Napoles (center), the alleged pork barrel scam queen, is escorted out of the court room after being found guilty on her kidnapping and serious illegal detention case of scam whistleblower Benhur Luy at the Makati Regional Trial Court on Tuesday. Napoles was sentenced to permanent imprisonment. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday asked prosecutors in the pork barrel scam cases to file the charges against the next batch of personalities who allegedly benefited from the supposed anomaly. At the continuation of the bail hearing of Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seacon Lanete, Associate Justice Jose Hernandez, who concurrently chairs the court’s Fourth Division, asked the prosecutors what’s taking them so long in filing the charges against the next batches of suspects. “File the second and third batch. What are you waiting for? You have a very willing witness. Without her testimony you will have no case,” Hernandez said. Prosecutor Jorge Espinal, however, told the court that “it’s not our call.” This exchange came after scam whistleblower Marina Sula told the court that she is willing to testify in other cases that will be filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the alleged scam. Sula said this even after the court told her it could take 10 more years of her taking the witness stand. Hernandez said he finds Sula’s answer “very laudable.” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had earlier admitted that she is uncertain if she can concentrate on the filing of the third Read More …
Janine Gutierrez ready to take on her role as the fashion industry’s newest It Girl.
Sam Pinto enjoys the adrenaline rush of high-speed racing
THE PROPOSAL to lift the constitutional bar on foreign ownership of certain assets may pass on second reading at the House by June, Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. said, adding that the main worry remains plenary approval.
THE GROWTH in remittances from overseas Filipinos likely eased month on month in March and could slow further “in the near term”, posing a downside risk to the country’s current account, an analyst from Standard Chartered Bank said.
STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) remitted last week an additional P1 billion to the Bureau the of Treasury (BTr) to represent its partial payment of guarantee fees for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) for 2014.