Maniolas

Senate Minority Floor Leader Juan Ponce Enrile (center) arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Friday, July 11, to attend his arraignment on graft and plunder charges in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. He faces one count of plunder and 15 counts of graft. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court has granted a petition filed by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to get a bill of particulars from the Sandiganbayan to enable him to properly plead and prepare for his graft and plunder trial. In a media briefing, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the high tribunal, sitting en banc, voted 8-5 in favor of Enrile’s petition that was filed August of last year. “In light of the court action, petitioner Senator Enrile is given the opportunity to confirm or change the plea that the Sandiganbayan entered for him, if he so wishes,” Te said. Enrile is facing one count of plunder and 15 counts of graft. In separate information sheets filed by the Ombudsman, Enrile and his co-accused, including his former chief of staff Gigi Reyes, are alleged to have amassed P172.8 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010 through non-government organizations associated with alleged pork barrel fund scam brains Janet Lim-Napoles. In his 79-page petition, Enrile said the Sandiganbayan acted without, or in excess of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion, when it compelled the lawmaker to plead to the criminal charges without granting his “motion for bill Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” MANILA (Mabuhay) — Is the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) torn between Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and neophyte Senator Grace Poe? NPC congressmen on Tuesday showed up at Roxas’ headquarters to show support for the Liberal Party’s (LP) standard-bearer. The NPC congressemen include Negros Oriental Rep. Pryde Teves, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza, Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado, Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap, Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia, South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon, Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Cebu Rep. Gerald Gullas, Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Victor Yu, Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz, Rizal Rep. Isidro Rodriguez and Masbate Rep. Scott Lañete. Also present in the meeting were General Santos Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Lou Antonino. The meeting was held following pronouncements from NPC President, Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao, that the party is inclined to back the tandem of Poe and Francis Escudero should they eventually decide to run in 2016. NPC spokesman, Rex Gatchalian, however, said the party has yet to decide on the matter. “The NPC as a party has not decided whom it will support in the next elections. Members are free to express their opinions on who they prefer. They are free Read More …

Environmental activists dramatize the effects of burning waste using incinerators during a protest on Tuesday. The groups asked the government to follow the Philippine Air Act and not be swayed by attempts of interest groups to lift the ban on waste incineration. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – An environmental group on Monday expressed its disappointment over the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue a tree-cutting permit to the developer of the historic Army and Navy Club in Manila, saying it is inconsistent with the National Greening Program of the agency. Gwen Borcena, executive director of Green Research, said in a Balitanghali interview that the decision of the DENR officials, including Secretary Ramon Paje, goes against the campaign of President Benigno Aquino III to protect the environment. “Alam namin si President Aquino sincere siya na gusto niyang nasa social contract niya ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan; na hindi ito isaalang-alang sa short-term gain and profit. Pero ‘yung mga ginagawang desisyon ng Gabinete niya at undersecretaries diyan sa DENR, taliwas,” she said. “Ang DENR dapat maging consistent. Sinasabi nilang may National Greening Program pero kaliwa’t kanan ‘yung binibigay nilang mga tree-cutting permits,” Borcena added. Borcena said Paje should be “more serious” in listening to the opinions of civil society organizations and heritage consultants before the DENR issues permits for “controversial” projects such as the restoration of the Army and Navy Club. “Mahirap pagkatiwalaan ang DENR dahil ilang ulit niyo na kaming na-disappoint. Sinasabi niyo na patay ang Read More …

Subaru confirms UK specifications and pricing for new Levorg Sport Tourer.© Subaru UK Ltd. (Relaxnews) – The Levorg, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2015, will go on sale in the UK next month. Subaru has announced that the new Levorg tourer will be on sale in the UK in September and will be priced at £27,495 ($42,840). Other announcements included engine specifications — 168bhp 1.6-liter turbo boxer petrol — and safety equipment updates, such as the Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System. The brand has also emphasized the tourer’s high-quality interior: “Subaru engineers and designers promise that the Levorg will offer one of the company’s most refined cabins created, with a greater use of high quality materials.[…] Leather trim is used generously within the cabin, including the door trims, on the centre console and on top of the multi-function display on the dashboard.” The Levorg made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show this year but has been on sale in Japan since 2014. erk/kc