PRESIDENT Benigno S. C. Aquino III has signed a measure strengthening the legal staff of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
Jan 142016
Jan 142016
Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano (MNS photo) Six months after tying the knot, celebrity couple Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano shared they are still adjusting to each other’s work hours. The director shared that they often argue about time because it bothers him that the television host is out working even in wee hours of the morning. He said that even though Gonzaga has a 2 a.m. cut off, the latter would still go home late. “There was a time, I would get home late na, mga 10 p.m. and she’s not home yet. She’s taping. Me, now being a husband, I don’t want her on the road at 2 a.m. I get a little bit weary,” he said. Soriano added he would text Gonzaga but the latter admitted that she gets distracted from work when the director asks about her whereabouts. “Siyempre di ba when you’re doing a soap, I want to get into the character kasi this is my first time in so many years that I’ll do a soap. If I get texts na where are you, nawawala ako kasi kailangan ko pala umuwi. Feeling ko nina-nag niya ako pero isang text lang naman yun. Nabo-bother talaga ako.” But the director said he understands that long hours are part of Gonzaga’s profession and they compromise on this. “I think the great thing about it was after ‘PBB’ (Pinoy Big Brother), we did like almost two weeks straight of just the two of us.” Gonzaga, on her part, Read More …
Jan 142016
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Conference on Sustaining the Gains of the Conditional Cash Transfer in the Philippines at the Auditorium of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City on Wednesday (January 13). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday expressed hope that his successor would continue government programs that assist the poor, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, to make the country’s economic growth more inclusive. In a speech delivered during a conference on sustaining the gains of the CCT, held at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong, President Aquino reported that the government has continued to develop ways to make the CCT program more sustainable, fine-tuning its various components to ensure that it yields the maximum benefits. President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Conference on Sustaining the Gains of the Conditional Cash Transfer in the Philippines at the Auditorium of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City on Wednesday (January 13). With the President are ABD president Takehiko Nakao and DSWD head Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. (MNS photo) “We have modified the program to provide support to families that are not covered by the regular CCT, such as those in the streets, as well as indigenous peoples,” he said. Another reform measure is the use of remittance and money transfer services to ensure the safe and timely delivery of grants to beneficiaries in far Read More …
Jan 142016
ZAMBALES, Philippines (April 9, 2013) Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Margret G. Kibben speaks to members of the 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion about the work they are doing during Exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr/Released) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday reiterated that no American military base will be constructed in the country under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. “Hindi po ‘yan mangyayari dito sa EDCA dahil kung magtatayo ng base militar, dapat may bagong treaty na dapat ratipikahin ng Senado,” Drilon said. He mentioned the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which has been in effect since 1999 and is the “controlling treaty” of the EDCA. “Matagal na ang Visiting Forces Agreement at wala namang naitayo na base militar dito,” Drilon stressed. Leftist organizations have blasted the agreement, saying it will allow the return of military bases in the country. “The [Supreme Court] decision will pave the way for the construction of new US military facilities in different parts of the country,” said Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the petitioners against EDCA. “It likewise paves the way for the use by US troops of Read More …
Jan 142016
President Benigno S. Aquino III along with former DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo and DILG Secretary Senen Sarmiento are prayed over by Bishop Francisco Santos and Bishop Jonel MIlan during the Thanksgiving Celebration and National Transformation Assembly of the Tarlac First Baptist Church. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate Majority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile said he had questions to ask Mar Roxas and other resource persons when the Senate probe on the Mamasapano incident reopens on Jan. 25. “I’m going to ask them questions,” said the opposition leader, who said he wanted Mar Roxas to attend the reinvestigation. Roxas, the standard bearer of the administration in next year’s presidential election, was secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government when the incident happened. “It doesn’t matter if he’s a candidate, I’m not going to deal with his candidacy. I’m going to ask about performance of duty while you’re in office,” Enrile said. “I’m not trying anybody in public,” he added. The veteran lawmaker refused to reveal what he wanted Roxas to answer. “Hindi ko sasabihin sa inyo yung mga tatanungin ko. (I won’t tell you what I am going to ask) I hope you understand my position,” Enrile said. Further denying the claims of President Benigno Aquino III that politics was behind in the reopening of the investigation on the operation where 44 members of the police Special Action Force were killed, he said, “I am not the errand boy of anybody.” He also Read More …
Jan 142016
Newly appointed Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista (left) and commissioner Rowena Guanzon face the media at the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. Bautista was the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) prior to his new assignment. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday appealed to politicians not to interfere with the poll body in settling its issues and respect its standing as an independent body. “I would like to reiterate my appeal that the politicians should not interfere with our independence,” Guanzon said in an interview. “Please respect our independence under the Constitution.” The Comelec en banc on Tuesday announced it was ratifying the comment Guanzon filed with the Supreme Court regarding the First Division ruling on three petitions calling for the cancellation of Sen. Grace Poe’s certificate of candidacy for president. It also announced, through Commissioner Arthur Lim, that all issues within the collegial body “have been resolved.” All seven members of the en banc were present during the announcement, in an apparent show of force after a rift erupted between Guanzon and Chairman Andres Bautista regarding the comment. “The Commission on Elections en banc has shown to everyone, especially the electorate that we are united in upholding the integrity of this Commission,” Guanzon said. Earlier, Bautista issued a memorandum addressed to Guanzon and law department director Maria Norina Casingal asking why the comment was not shown to him and the other commissioners before it Read More …
Jan 142016
Mr. Thomas J. Reckford, FPDG President, and Ambassador Cuisia during the Question and Answer Session following the Ambassador’s speech to the FPD WASHINGTON, D.C. — Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. addressed issues surrounding the South China Sea and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in a speech to the prestigious Foreign Policy Discussion Group (FPDG) of Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, arguing that an atmosphere characterized by tension and insecurity does not bode well for economic prosperity and integration. The Ambassador outlined the Philippine position on the South China Sea. He expressed the view of the Philippines that China’s 9-dash line claim is excessive, expansive and in gross violation of international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to which both the Philippines and China are signatories. He explained further that the Philippines turned to arbitration as a transparent, friendly, durable, and peaceful dispute settlement mechanism consistent with international law, including UNCLOS. “What is happening in the South China Sea, if not managed adeptly, could have a profound impact on world trade, fish supply, and international norms and values, specifically the rule of law and a rules-based system,” Ambassador Cuisia told the FPDG. The Ambassador also stated that freedom of navigation in the critical sea lanes of the region must be preserved. “The Philippines welcomes the freedom of navigation exercise (FONOPs) conducted by the USS Lassen in October 2015 and look forward to sustained FONOPs,” he added. Ambassador Cuisia concluded that as the Philippine economy continues to Read More …
Jan 142016
Coco Martin and German Moreno (MNS Photo) Coco Martin, the star of “Ang Probinsyano,” was saddened to learn about the passing of industry icon German Moreno, more fondly known as “Kuya Germs.” On his Instagram account, the 34-year-old Martin shared a photo of him with the beloved television host. The caption read: “Isa siya sa mga tao na nag tiwala sakin at nag bukas ng pinto sa mundo ng showbiz.” “Nung nag sisimula ako sa indie nung mga panahon na hindi pa ako kilala at wala sa aking pumapansin siya nag papasok sa akin sa ‘Master Showman’ para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makapag-promote ng mga pelikula ko at hinding-hindi ko yon makakalimutan.” “Nakakalungkot dahil wala na ang tao na tunay na nagmamahal sa industriya ng showbiz; ang taong pinaglalaban ang karapatan namin; ang taong nagbibigay break sa mga nagsisimula sa showbiz.” “Mahal na mahal po kita, Tay! Ilang beses ko po sinasabi ito sa tuwing nagkikita tayo hinding-hindi kita makakalimutan RIP Tay,” he concluded. Moreno passed away last Friday due to cardiac arrest. He was 82. As the news broke, many members of the Philippine showbiz industry expressed their condolences. (MNS)
Jan 132016
THE HEAD of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said its Board will soon green-light an additional $400 million for the Philippines’ conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.
Jan 132016
FIFTEEN YEARS ON, the deregulation of the power sector appears to have failed in its promise to bring down the cost of electricity in the country, speakers at a two-day energy conference said.