Maniolas

By Nimfa U. Rueda World War II veterans stand next to the memorial cross during the 73rd Araw ng Kagitingan rites at Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan (Photo courtesy of WILLY PEREZ) LOS ANGELES— Legislators Thursday introduced a bill seeking to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who fought during World War II. “Filipino veterans fought bravely alongside American forces during World War II, and our recognition of their service and sacrifice is long overdue,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI). Gabbard and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) held a press conference announcing the bill’s introduction. Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba also spoke at the press conference on behalf of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. About 260,000 Filipinos fought for the United States during the war and were promised equal treatment as American veterans after the war. But in 1946, the US Congress enacted the Rescission Act that took away full recognition of the Filipinos and stripped them of their benefits, leaving bitterness in the former colony and decades of campaigning to change US policy. In 2009, Congress approved a stimulus package that included one-time payments of $15,000 to Filipino veterans in the United States and $9,000 to those living in the Philippines. However, community advocates said thousands of veterans had their claims denied, usually because US authorities did not accept records from the Philippines, which were the former fighters’ sole means to prove their service. “The Filipino veterans of World War II have faced many challenges in their fight Read More …

The order, also announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show, includes options for 10 additional planes of the same model and will serve Cebu Pacific’s domestic routes, the airline said. Manila, Philippines (AFP)  – Budget Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific has ordered 16 ATR 72-600 turboprop planes from the France-based manufacturer in a deal worth $673 million, the two companies said in a joint statement Tuesday. The order, also announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show, includes options for 10 additional planes of the same model and will serve Cebu Pacific’s domestic routes, they said. Deliveries are to start between July and September next year. “This order is an affirmation of our commitment to extend the convenience of affordable air travel to even more communities,” Cebu Pacific chief executive and president Lance Gokongwei said in the statement. The airline, the largest in the Philippines based on passengers carried, now flies eight ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will be retired as the new short-haul aircraft enter service on its domestic routes. The newer version on order will be equipped for the first time with the Armonia cabin, the widest in the turboprop market, the joint statement said. About 330 ATRs, including more than 100 ATR 72-600s, are now operated by 55 airlines in the Asia-Pacific region, it added.

Veteran singer Jim Parades (4th left in front) leads other protesters as they march around the financial district of Makati on Wednesday to stop Vice President Jejomar Binay from running for the presidency. The group cites allegations of corruption against Binay makes him unfit for the job. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay has asked Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and two other Supreme Court justices to inhibit from hearing his petition contesting his six-month preventive suspension for the allegedly overpriced Makati Building II construction. In a 46-page page motion, Binay said Sereno, and Chief Justices Antonio Carpio and Martin Villarama, Jr. should not be involved in deciding his case and instead recuse under Rule 137, Sections 1 and 2 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure. Binay said Sereno’s actions during the oral arguments on the Binay case during the SC summer session Baguio last April 21 presented a strong case for her inhibition when “juxtaposed with the Canons of the New Code of Judicial Conduct,” particularly Canon 2 (integrity), Canon 3 (impartiality), and Canon 6 (competence and diligence). The vice mayor accused Sereno of having “pre-conceived bias against a doctrine which is a crucial component of the case for the respondent, condonation; and has manifested bias, prejudice and partiality against respondent’s case.” Sereno also allegedly made statements that signified intolerance, antagonism, and abhorrence of Binay, read the motion. He said that Sereno’s act of defending the Office of the Ombudsman and its finding Read More …