Maniolas

Sen. Grace Poe (bottom center) flanked by supporters during her arrival at the Commission on Election Headquarters to file her Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday. Sen. Poe will be running independently with Sen. Chiz Escudero as her running mate for the 2016 election. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 21 (Mabuhay) – The camp of Sen. Grace Poe has asked the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) for more time to submit the results of DNA testing to trace her family, amid lingering questions on her citizenship. SET spokesperson and secretary Irene Guevarra said on Wednesday the lawmaker’s camp had requested a two-week extension for the submission of the DNA results. The camp’s deadline was supposed to be today. “Her counsel filed a motion for extension to submit until Nov. 5,” Guevarra said. She said that the SET has yet to rule on whether or not to approve the extension plea, adding that copies of the motion have yet to be distributed to the nine members of the tribunal. Poe’s spokesman Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian and legal counsel, George Garcia, both confirmed that their camp sought an extension because they have yet to get the results. “We are still waiting for the results of the DNA to come back. Rest assured we will follow the parameters and guidelines set forth by the SET,” Gatchalian said. During oral arguments conducted by the SET at the Supreme Court last month, Poe’s lawyer, Alexander Poblador, revealed that Poe had undergone DNA testing. The oral argument was conducted in Read More …

Members of the Philippine Air Force load relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to a C-130 airplane on Wednesday at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. The relief goods consist of food packs, blankets, and other necessities, for affected families in Baler and Casiguran, Aurora. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 21 (Mabuhay) — Local government units and community organizations may start submitting proposals for climate change adaptation projects under the P1 billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF). The government is now finalizing details for the fund’s utilization and will formally announce its call for proposals on October 28, the Department of Finance said Wednesday. Republic Act 10174 created the fund aimed at enabling the government to tackle climate change. Passed in 2012, the law also required the creation of a board that will oversee the fund. “The PSF is an example of the government’s commitment to protecting those most vulnerable from the effects of climate change,” said the finance secretary, who concurrently heads the fund’s board. The P1 billion allocation covers adaptation activities that include water resources management, agriculture and fisheries. It also serves as guarantee for risk insurance needs of farmers and other sectors. The government may utilize the fund to establish regional centers and information networks along with forecasting and early warning systems against climate-related hazards. The fund may also serve as support to institutional development such as preventive measures, planning, preparedness and management of impacts relating to climate change. The Philippines and 19 other countries Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine National Police Change of Command Ceremony and Retirement Honors for P/DDG Leonardo Espina at the Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 16). The Commander-in-Chief has appointed Police Director Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief replacing Espina following the latter’s retirement. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 21 (Mabuhay) – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally filed graft cases against five high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and 10 other individuals including former Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) assistant chief Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta. The graft raps are in connection with the alleged the anomalous issuance of firearms licenses for high-powered AK47 rifles from August 2011 to  April 2013. In a 39-page order, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales caused the filing of multiple counts of violating Section 3e of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the following officials: P/Dir. Gil Meneses of the Civil Security Group P/Dir. Napoleon Estilles of the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) P/CSupt. Raul Petrasanta P/CSupt. Tomas Rentoy III P/CSupt. Regino Catiis P/SSupt. Eduardo Acierto P/SSupt. Allan Parreño P/Supt. Nelson Bautista P/CInsp. Ricardo Zapata, Jr. P/CInsp Ricky Sumalde SPO1 Eric Tan SPO1 Randy De Sesto Non-uniformed Personnel (NUP) Nora Pirote Non-uniformed Personnel (NUP) Sol Bargan Isidro Lozada of Caraga Security Agency (Caraga). Petrasanta and Estilles also face charges for knowingly approving the grant of the license and permit for the high-powered rifles. Section 3 (e) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits public officials from Read More …

President Benigno S. Aquino III accompanied Liberal Party (LP) presidential bets Mar Roxas and vice president Leni Robrebo in the early morning mass at the Manila Cathedral Thursday, October 15, before heading to Palacio del Gobernador, where the Comelec office is situated. The LP tandem Mar and Leni later filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as standard bearers of the Liberal Party for the 2016 national elections. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 21 (Mabuhay) – Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas has asked the Commission on Elections to disqualify and declare a nuisance a namesake who also filed a certificate of candidacy for president. The former interior secretary, whose full name is Manuel Araneta Roxas II, alleged that Manuel Antonio Roxas, if allowed to run, would “confuse voters (who) may unintentionally vote for respondent Manuel Antonio Roxas.” “Respondent Manuel Antonio Roxas clearly filed his COC for President to create confusion among the voters through the similarity between his name and that of petitioner Manuel Araneta Roxas,” the LP stalwart said in his petition before the Comelec. Manuel Antonio Roxas, 67, filed his COC on October 16, 2015 and wrote “Mar Roxas” as his nickname. The more prominent Roxas said he had always been known as “Mar” and had used this moniker in several elections. He expressed fear that if Manuel Antonio Roxas’ COC is not canceled, the latter’s name would appear next to his in the ballot. Roxas also alleged that his namesake did not have the means to wage a national Read More …