Maniolas

A protester holds a placard at a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to islands claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines will present China’s aggressiveness in staking its claim during a UN tribunal hearing in the Hague. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – An international tribunal in The Hague said it will make a crucial ruling on whether it can assume jurisdiction over the Philippines’ legal challenge against China over the South China Sea within the year and gave Beijing another chance to give its side in one month. The Permanent Court of Arbitration also gave the Philippines up to July 23 to submit “further written responses” to the questions posed by the tribunal during the oral hearings from July 7 to 13 which was attended by Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Manila’s lead counsel Paul Reichler, international law experts, and other top officials of the country. Protesters rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to most of the West Philippine Sea including areas claimed by the Philippines. The protest comes as a UN tribunal in the Hague begins a hearing the Philippines’ claim on the disputed Spratly Islands.(MNS photo) “The Arbitral Tribunal now enters its deliberations and is conscious of its duty under the Rules of Procedure to conduct proceedings ‘to avoid unnecessary delay and expense and to provide a fair and efficient process,’” the Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery former Senator Panfilo Lacson after administering the oath in a ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 10). The “rehabilitation czar” is the man in charge to oversee the overall efforts being undertaken by the national government in reconstructing the areas destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has belied former Senator Panfilo Lacson’s claims that this year’s budget contains over P400 billion in lump-sum funds, and a new version of the partially unconstitutional Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). In a statement, the DBM said the 2015 spending plan contains “fewer” lump sums—or budget items that have not been itemized—compared to previous years. “Mr. Lacson’s doomsday assertions on lump sums and the supposed resurrection of DAP under the 2015 budget are inaccurate. A careful reading of the National Budget would prove that quickly enough,” the DBM said in its media release. The agency even said that it is “unclear” how Lacson arrived at the P424-billion lump-sum figure he presented during a speech before accountants on Monday. The former senator earlier said these funds were found in the budget 11 government agencies. “We must not mislead the public by implying that lump sums in the budget are tantamount to fund irregularity. It’s true that most budget items ought to be disaggregated, exactly as we have done,” the DBM said. “But it’s Read More …

It’s fun interviewing Kaye Abad and Paul Jake Castillo. MUST-READ: the portions on wedding and proposal!