Maniolas

BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW: Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, listens to Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committee chair, during Monday’s (May 18, 2015) hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Alonto said they stand together with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Unsure whether the Senate could meet its self-imposed deadline for the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Senate President Franklin Drilon on Saturday stressed the importance of having the measure enacted before October this year. “I am not very optimistic that the law can be in place by June 11. The committee of Senator Bongbong Marcos will conduct two more hearings on June 2 and June 3. I do not know if Senator Bongbong will submit a committee report on the ninth of June…,” he said. Marcos heads the Senate committee on local government, which deliberates on the final form of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Also, Drilon said that in case the Senate approves the BBL before the sine die adjournment, the measure would still have to be deliberated on in the bicameral conference committee. Congress would have to contend with a possible new deadline, given the time constraints, he added. “We have to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do and see how we can have this measure in place maybe before October of this year…If we Read More …

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) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Saturday dismissed as “totally unfounded” the accusations of the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay that the administration party is using government agencies’ resources, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council, in preparation for the 2106 polls. “The insinuation is that the Liberal Party influences the AMLC or the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which is totally, totally unfounded,” Drilon, vice chair of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), said. “(AMLC’s members) are all professionals. Do you think these people will tarnish their reputations by being tainted with politicians and political parties? I don’t think anybody in their right mind will ever say that,” he said. Joey Salgado, VP Binay’s chief media officer, earlier accused the LP of using government resources to malign Vice President Binay, whose intention to run for president in 2016 is no secret to the public. Drilon said Binay’s camp should just focus on efforts in answering corruption allegations against the Vice President. “Medyo masalimuot ang mga lumalabas sa AMLC at natural lamang ng mga tinatamaan na ginagamit ito sa pulitika. Mas mabuti siguro kung sagutin na lang, kung hindi man totoo ang mga nakasulat doon ay e, ‘di sagutin. Rather than you Read More …