Jul 312015
 
Manny Pacquiao during fan rally at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He will face Floyd Mayweather Jr in the "Fight of the Century" on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Manny Pacquiao during fan rally at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He will face Floyd Mayweather Jr in the “Fight of the Century” on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

MANILA (Mabuhay) – A friend of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is trying to woo boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao into supporting his rumored presidential bid.

Pacquiao is already a member of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) founded by Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has already announced his presidential run in 2016.

YACAP party-list Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez confirmed Wednesday that she is holding talks with Pacquiao to throw his support behind Roxas’ run for higher office next year so that “Sarangani could be one for Mar.”

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, Liberal Party chairman for political affairs, had said that Aquino will officially endorse Roxas before the end of the week.

Some LP members are pushing Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos for the vice presidential post.

“Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ni Sec. Mar, na siya ang pinaka-qualified at best bet natin na maging presidente. Kami naman ni Cong. Manny, lagi kaming nag-uusap dahil sa mga issue sa Sarangani. Napag-uusapan din namin ang politika at naging sunud-sunod na ang pag-uusap [namin]. Syempre gusto ko magkasama kami [sa pagsuporta kay Sec. Roxas] para buo ang Sarangani for Mar,” Lopez said.

Pacquiao and Lopez, who both hail from Sarangani, are known to be close friends. The party-list lawmaker is also a friend of Roxas though she is not allied with the Liberal Party.

Asked if she’s convincing Pacquiao to bolt UNA, Lopez said: “Di naman umalis sa UNA— hindi ganon ka-direct pero welcome siya to join Sec. Mar whether to be a member of LP or to maintain his local party in Sarangani.”

Pacquiao founded the local political party People’s Champ Movement in 2010.(MNS)

Jul 312015
 
Chiz denies telling Erap: It’s presidency or nothing

Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Joint Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures, conducts a hearing today on the report of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee on the status and direction of the economic, fiscal and monetary policies of the government. Also in photo is Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Is Senator Francis Escudero still eyeing the presidency? Escudero denied he is dead-set on gunning for the presidency and that he is using his closeness to Sen. Grace Poe to be a step closer to his dream. Asked if he wants the presidency, he said: “I’m not even sure I want the vice-presidency. I will cross that bridge when I get there. I might not even reach that bridge. Let me cross this one first.” Escudero also denied that he twice spurned former president Joseph Estrada’s offer to run as his vice-president. He said there is no truth to reports he told Estrada in 2010: “It’s the presidency or nothing.” “That’s not true. That even came out in a book somewhere. Hindi ko sinagot yon. Hindi ko bibigyan ng kawalan ng paggalang si dating pangulong Estrada sa pagbigay ng ganyang uri ng sagot. Naalala ko yang conversation na yan sa bahay niya at sa opisina, at ang sabi ko ay hindi pa ako tiyak at sigurado sa tatakbuhan ko o pagtakbo ko,” he said. “Hindi bargas, hindi ko rin ugali yun,” he added. He said that at the time of his conversation with Estrada, he and Sen. Read More …

Jul 312015
 
Mamasapano report to be discussed in Senate plenary soon – Poe

Relatives and supporters of the SAF 44, members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who were killed during the Mamasapano clash, march along EDSA on Sunday. The march turned out to be a solemn memorial honoring the troopers who died on January 25. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Reversing her earlier decision, Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday said that her committee report on the deadly Mamasapano incident will now be tackled in the plenary. “Magkakaroon ng plenary na ukol dito sapagkat si Senator Alan Cayetano ay nagsulat upang pabuksan ang hearing sa Mamasapano. I-e-schedule na nila kung kailan,” Poe told reporters. Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs that led the inquiry on the Mamasapano incident, said the tragedy that befell 44 elite members of the PNP Special Action Force and the substitute bill for the Bangsamoro Basic Law can be discussed side by side. “Para mas klaro,” she said. Just last month, Poe said she will no longer present before the plenary the committee report which held President Benigno Aquino III responsible for the incident for giving assent to, and for failing to prevent the unlawful exercise of official functions by then-suspended PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima in connection with the Mamasapano anti-terror police operation. Purisima has since been ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman over an anomalous contract with a service courier in 2011. In saying that she will no longer present the report at the plenary, Poe Read More …

Jul 312015
 
Sen. Marcos: I haven’t decided anything yet for 2016 polls

The Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator Bongbong Marcos, together with the Committees on Peace Unification and Reconcillation; and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, will contiunue its inquiry on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Also present during the BBL hearing is Senator Chiz Escudero. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Amid speculations that he would run for higher office in 2016, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday he has no plans yet for 2016. “I have not decided on anything for the 2016 elections,” Marcos told reporters when asked about his plans for the 2016 elections. The senator arrived at the House of Representatives past 2 p.m. to attend the joint session of Congress for President Benigno Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address (Sona). Recently, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the political party formed by his father, is pushing for the presidential candidacy of Marcos with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Vice President Jejomar Binay, a human rights lawyer during the martial law era, has also been reportedly considering Marcos to be his running mate. Asked by reporters about his expectations for Aquino’s last Sona, the senator said he has no expectations. “I don’t have any expectations,” he said, adding that perhaps President Aquino would just give a summary of his five years as the country’s chief executive. (MNS)

Jul 312015
 
Regine, Martin to guest in Angeline-Erik concert

Angeline Quinto (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Rumored couple Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto are teaming up for a joint concert at the Araneta Coliseum on August 15. Although they have sang together in shows both here and abroad, this marks the first time they will be paired in a major concert in Manila since they have been romantically linked to each other. The two were “more than excited” about the concert when they faced the media. “Walang isang buwan na lang po ang natitira at marami po akong nilu-look forward sa concert namin ni Erik, lalo po ‘yung espesyal na kanta sa buhay ko,” Quinto said. “Before pa po siguro dumating ‘yung August 15 sobra na ‘yung pag-alalay sa akin ni Erik talaga. Hindi po nawawala ‘yung kaba ko talaga,” she added. Santos and Quinto also thanked Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez for agreeing to guest in their concert. It is no secret that Quinto is a big fan of Velasquez. “Hindi pa nabubuo ang konsepto ng concert, sila na talaga ‘yung nasa (top of mind namin). We are thankful at sobra kaming blessed na pinaunlakan nila,” Santos said. Meanwhile, the two remained coy when asked about the status of their relationship, saying they are just happy being together. “Ako po naghihintay lang po ako ng tamang panahon po para masabi ko kay Erik na kami na po talaga,” Quinto said. “We take our time and whatever we have right now sobra kaming kumportable kung ano ang mayroon kami Read More …

Jul 312015
 
130,000 families still in makeshift tents in Tacloban

In November of 2013, a powerful typhoon devastated large sections of Eastern Visayas region, particularly the province of Leyte, killing an estimated 6000 people and washed away the homes of more than 200, 000 families. Despite a P75 billion fund approved last year by Congress for housing resettlement for calamity victims, thousands of indigent families are still living in tents and sub-standard bunkhouses in the flood ravaged areas of Leyte. According to a recent study made by a church based and civil society groups, only 73,000 poor families of the 205,000 rendered homeless by “Yolanda” were placed in several resettlement areas, leaving behind 130,000 families still staying in makeshift quarters or tents in Tacloban city. The study also pointed out that the apparent snail’s pace construction of housing for these flood victims were being hampered by snags for the timely release of funds for housing resettlements. The study also showed that only P21 billion out of the P75 billion allocated for housing resettlement had been released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). With less than a year left in Office, President Benigno Aquino still has to give the “green light” to Budget Secretary Butch Abad to release the remaining P54billion fund for resettlement housing. I don’t expect President Noynoy to expedite the release of the remaining funds for resettlement areas for flood victims in Leyte. It is the home province of former First Lady Imelda Marcos , wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos. It was Marcos who was Read More …

Jul 302015
 
Will I lose my home if I file for bankruptcy?

Americans are still filing bankruptcy in record numbers, and with good reason. The economic downturn, including the fall of housing prices and the increase in unemployment has wrecked havoc on our finances. The truth is, that in many cases, bankruptcy is a wise decision for many, since it wipes away debt and interest payments that would take years to pay off, if you are only making minimum payments. Unfortunately, many people do not file bankruptcy because of misinformation. One of the most common questions people ask when contemplating bankruptcy is “will I lose my home?” However, in today’s economy, where few people actually have much equity, the answer is NO! The bankruptcy trustee will first determine whether your home has equity, and how much. This involves determining the current market value of the home, and subtracting the pay off amount, cost of sale, and any liens. If the equity is below specific homestead exemptions, you keep your home provided of course, you stay current on your monthly mortgage payments. The general rule of thumb is that if you continue to make your payments on time, the lender prefers that you stay in your house. Mortgage lenders, contrary to popular belief, are not anxious to foreclose on a property. It means a loss to them, as they will have to spend money holding the property and preparing it for resale. Bankruptcy is also helpful if you are seriously behind on mortgage payments. IT will stop a foreclosure in its tracks, and Read More …

Jul 302015
 
Is she dating James Reid? Julia Barretto speaks up

Julia Barretto (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Julia Barretto reiterated what James Reid had said about rumors that they are going out after they were supposedly spotted having a coffee date recently. Last week, Reid stressed that he is not dating Barretto and they have never been on a coffee date. Barretto backed up Reid, saying that everyone should just move on. James Reid (MNS Photo) “Sana nakuha na ng bashers, ng mga tao na worried ‘yung peace of mind kasi nasagot na naman niya ‘yung issue. Take it from there. Move on na tayo and focus na tayo sa mga work natin,” she said. Barretto, however, admitted that she also got hurt when she became the target of bashers online, especially those who support Reid’s team-up with Nadine Lustre. “Siyempre, ako din nasaktan ako sa bashers, kasi wala namang proof sa mga nasasabing rumors. I always say, kaming mga iniidolo nila, kaming mga iniiwanan ng mga comments sa Instagram, sa Twitter, tao lang kami. Nasasaktan kami sa mga ibinabato nilang salita,” she said. Barretto also hopes netizens could handle future situations like this “with more grace.” “Huwag quick to judge kasi masakit din ‘yung mga nabibitawang salita. Mahirap din naman. Aaminin ko, masakit ang mga binibitawan nilang salita,” she said. (MNS)

Jul 302015
 
Two generic drugs reduce breast cancer deaths: studies

The first “meta-study” pulling together data from nine trials covering 30,000 post-menopausal women found endocrine treatments based on a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors yield higher survival rates after five years compared to standard endocrine therapy with tamoxifen. (Paris, France-AFP) – Two inexpensive classes of drugs available in generic form each reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women as well as death rates from the disease, a pair of studies reported Friday. Taking the medications together may further boost anti-cancer benefits and help cancel out undesirable side-effects of one of the drugs, according to the research published in medical journal The Lancet. The first “meta-study” pulling together data from nine trials covering 30,000 post-menopausal women found endocrine treatments based on a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors yield higher survival rates after five years compared to standard endocrine therapy with tamoxifen. The likelihood of cancer recurring was cut by about a third and the risk of dying by about 15 percent in the decade after treatment started. Compared to no treatment at all, the danger of dying from breast cancer fell by 40 percent, the study found. Most women have already passed through menopause when breast cancer strikes. Even after surgery has removed all detectable traces, tiny amounts of the body’s own hormones can cause cancer cells to grow. Endocrine therapies are designed to impede these hormones from stimulating the disease, and so help protect against relapse. “But aromatase inhibitor treatment is not free of side-effects and Read More …