Maniolas

Workers arrange sacks of rice at a warehouse in Taguig City on Tuesday. The Department of Agriculture announced that the Philippines is now one of the top rice producers in the world. However, the El Niño’s effects might affect rice production targets this year. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government generated over P68 million in revenues from the public auction of the 118 containers of smuggled Thai rice it seized last year, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Wednesday. “Fourteen bidders participated the auction held at Manila International Container Port. The auction generated an actual revenue of P68,450,280.00,” the BOC said in an e-mailed statement. The shipments were consigned to Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative and arrived on separate occasions in November and December. These were then seized due to the failure to secure the necessary import permits from the National Food Authority. The first lot with 56 twenty-foot containers—44 white long grain and 12 round grain —of Thai rice amounted to P34.3 million. Meanwhile, the second lot with 62 twenty-foot containers of long grain Thai white rice amounting to P34.122 million. According to the BOC, the proceeds of the auction will be held in trust pending the appeal of Calumpit Multi-Purpose Cooperative to recover their importations. “We have to expedite this auction proceedings because we are taking into consideration the preservation of the quality of rice to be put up in auction,” said Gerry Macatangay, MICP Auction and Cargo Disposal Division Chief. (MNS)

Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero stand for photos during the announcement of their bid as President and Vice President for the 2016 elections at the Club Filipino on Thursday. Poe and Escudero, the first tandem for next year’s election, promised to run as independent candidates. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday downplayed the endorsement of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) on the candidacies of Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero, saying the party’s leadership is not solid behind the two candidates. “Kausap ko ang liderato ng NPC, at nananatiling wala silang pili sa pagkapangulo. Ito ay pili ng iilang miyembro ng NPC,” Roxas said in a chance interview in Parañaque City. According to Roxas, at least 20 members of the NPC at the local level have expressed support to the Roxas-Robredo tandem. Roxas and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo are both running under the ruling Liberal Party (LP). On Monday, the NPC, the second biggest political party next to the LP, adopted the Poe-Escudero tandem for the coming May polls. It was party president, House Deputy Speaker Diorgidi Aggabao, who made the announcement at a press conference. About 90 percent of party stalwarts, he said, favored endorsing the two candidates. But Roxas maintained that it was no party stand.  “Hindi po ito party stand ng NPC. ‘Yan ang sabi sa akin ng liderato ng NPC at mga taga-NPC.” “Hindi para sa akin ang magsalita para sa NPC. Siguro may mga Read More …

DJ Durano (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Wenn Deramas’ former boyfriend, actor DJ Durano, has spoken up about the death of the director. The 41-year-old Durano, who has worked in a number of television and film projects with Deramas, credited the director for giving him his “biggest break” in the industry. “Walang DJ Durano kung walang Direk Wenn,” he said. “It was difficult because everybody knows that Direk Wenn was my mentor …I’m lost for words because I only have gratitude.” Durano also shared his last conversation with Deramas. “Last time na nakapag-usap kami, sabi niya, ‘Alam mo [DJ], happy na ‘ko sa buhay ko. I’m happy where I am. I have my own life. Happy ako kung asan ako.’ Honestly, sabi ko, ‘Happy ako for you, Direk, kasi sobra kang naging kaibigan.” Asked for his message to Deramas, Durano, who first revealed his relationship with the director last 2014, replied: “I only have kind words for Direk Wenn. …Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya, thank you, thank you, thank you. Hindi lang sa akin [kung hindi] sa mga kasama ko, sa mga nabigyan niya ng break.” According to Durano, Deramas has been pushing for the actor to be included in his upcoming television project. “Sa mga nakausap ko sa ABS-CBN na ibinibilin niya, ‘Kayo na bahala kay DJ.’ Parang, ‘Huwag niyong pababayaan si DJ. Bigyan niyo ng work.” He added: “Lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘Dapat ang mga katulad mo, hindi nawawalan ng puwang sa industriyang ito, dahil maraming naniniwala sa talento Read More …

Rob Bonta (Photo courtesy of http://asmdc.org/) (SACRAMENTO, CA)- Today, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Chair of the Assembly Public Health and Developmental Services Committee and Co-Chair of the Conference Committee in the Second Extraordinary Session, spoke in support of ABX2 1 and SBX2 2, which both passed the legislature today and moved on to the Governor’s desk. “Today’s vote was the result of months of negotiations, and once again proved that politics is the art of the possible.  California’s existing MCO tax needed to be restructured, and I’m thrilled that we accomplished this goal while also providing critical funding for Medi-Cal, developmental disability services, and Distinct Part Skilled Nursing Facilities. “We made a promise to start repairing the Developmental Disability System, which has struggled with underfunding for the last decade. Today, we kept that promise and made clear how deeply we care for our most vulnerable Californians.” As of the time of this communication, ABX2 1 passed the Assembly 78-0 and the Senate 40 -0.  SBX2 2 passed the Senate 28-11 and the Assembly 61-16. Assemblymember Bonta represents the 18th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. Bonta Chairs the Assembly Health Committee, the Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color, and in the second Extraordinary Session, the Public Health and Developmental Services Committee. He is also a member of the following committees: Appropriations, Budget, Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services, Joint Legislative Budget, Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Read More …