Jul 262016
 
Duterte: Pass federal system in four or six years and I will step aside

President Rodrigo Duterte (center) gestures as he delivers his first State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Duterte announced a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels who are waging one of Asia’s longest insurgencies, and urged them to reciprocate.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed his readiness to step down from power if a federal and parliamentary form of government is adopted via constitutional amendments in his fourth or fifth in office. In his first State of the Nation Address, Duterte, nonetheless, said that there must be a president who should head the parliamentary and federal government. He, however, said that such head of government would not be him. “I can commit today to the Republic of the Philippines that if you will hurry up the federal system of government and you can submit ito to the Filipino people by the fourth or fifth year, you call for a referendum, and after that call for a presidential election,” Duterte said. “Then I will go. Sibat na ako,” he added. Duterte also called on government officials under his administration to do their job. “To our police officers and government officials, do your job and you will have the unwavering support of the Office of the President,” Duterte said. Duterte also warned government officials against abuse of power and dereliction of duty. “I will be with you always. Abuse your authority and there will be a hell to pay, “ Duterte Read More …

Jul 262016
 
Duterte to make use of entire govt resources vs illegal drugs

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan President Rodrigo R. Duterte warns that he will not allow any hindrance to programs that will uplift the lives of the Filipinos, during his first State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa on July 25. (MNS photo) MANILA (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he will make use of the entire government resources to fight the war against illegal drugs. “In this quest I’ll put at stake my honor, my life and my presidency itself. There will be no let up in this campaign . Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars, or below the ground, if they so wish, ” Duterte said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Chief Executive also said that he would support all the way the Philippine National Police (PNP) to eliminate illegal drugs in the country. “To police officers, or PNP officials, do your job and you will have unwavering support of Office of President, I will be with you all the way,” he noted. However, Duterte warned police official and local officials not to abuse their authority. “Abuse your authority, and there will be a hell to pay, for you will have become worse than criminality itself. I order Napolcom to conduct investigation and adjudication of administrative cases involved in criminal activities and illegal activities and prescribe Read More …

Jul 262016
 
Pimentel vows support for all-out war on crime, drugs, corruption

25pimentel2.jpg — Newly-elected Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III uses the gavel in adjourning the opening session of the Senate under the 17th Congress on Monday morning (July 25, 2016) at the Plenary Hall of the Senate Building in Pasay City. The senators are set to proceed to the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City to join their colleagues at the House of Representatives in hearing the first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte at 4 p.m. Monday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday vowed to support the all-out war against crime, drugs and corruption, while also strengthening the rule of law and justice system. In his acceptance speech as Senate president, Pimentel outlined the 11-point “Program of Government for Change” that majority of the senators agreed upon. Senators voted 20-3 in favor of Pimentel. “The all-out war against crime drugs and corruption, we support, for as long as it is conducted in accordance with law, punishments are imposed in accordance with law, and then the objective must be achieved,” Pimentel said in a press briefing after the opening of the 17th Congress. Pimentel stressed the need implement orders in accordance with the law. “I hope you also notice that we will also strengthen the rule of law and make our justice system work. When your legislators, when your elected officials say something, it must be in accordance with law,” the new Senate president said. Other programs cited by Pimentel include adoption Read More …

Jul 262016
 
DOL, OSHA, PHL Embassy forge ties to help protect Georgia workers

DOL representatives and Consul General of the Philippines renew its partnership to promote worker’s rights. Left to right: Américo Pagán, assistant regional administrator cooperative and state programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Atlanta, Emilio T. Fernandez, Consul General of the Philippines, District of Columbia; and Sung Kim Chu, assistant district director, Wage and Hour Division, Atlanta. The Embassy of the Philippines and U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have renewed its partnership to promote worker’s rights at a signing ceremony in the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building in Atlanta. Sung Kim Chu, assistant district director, Wage and Hour Division, Atlanta, Américo Pagán, assistant regional administrator cooperative and state programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Atlanta, and Emilio T. Fernandez, Consul General of the Philippines, District of Columbia represented their agencies at the signing. The agreement renewed a collaborative partnership with the Philippines to provide information, guidance and access to education and training resources for Filipino nationals working in Georgia. The consular section of the Philippine Embassy in the District of Columbia and the department’s district and area offices will work together to develop ways of communicating information to both workers and employers to make them aware of the rights and responsibilities of all parties under the OSH Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, H-2A and H-2B programs. According to assistant district director, Sung Kim Chu of the Wage and Hour Division, “the agreement allows for a collaborative effort to deliver education and training on the laws enforced by the Wage Read More …

Jul 262016
 
Pacquiao: Having a ‘godly leader’ is solution to corruption

Neophyte Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (right) administers the oath of office of newly-elected Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III during the opening of the Senate session under the 17th Congress on Monday (July 25, 2016) at the Plenary Hall of the Senate Building in Pasay City. Also in photo are immediate members of the Pimentel family, including former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. (center). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Having a “godly leader” is the only solution to eradicate corruption in the country, newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao said on Monday. “Kung maging godly leader lahat, yan lamang ang tanging solusyon para maiwasan ang korapsyon (Being godly leaders would be the only solution against corruption).” Pacquiao said in an interview at the Senate before the opening of the 17th Congress. “Kung ang tao eh godly, may takot sa Panginoon, laging tapat yun sa paseserbisyo hindi gagawa ng kalokohan dahil ang takot niya eh nasa Panginoon. Ang Panginoon ay nakikita lahat ng galaw natin at lahat ng iniisip natin,” he added. (If a person is godly, he is God-fearing,he would always be truthful in his service to the people and he won’t do anything suspect because of his fear of the Lord. The Lord knows all our actions and thoughts.) Pacquiao reiterated his support for President Rodrigo Duterte, who will deliver his first State of the Nation Address this Monday afternoon. He described Duterte as an honest public servant, saying he could vouch for it since he has known the President for a Read More …

Jul 262016
 
Vilma defends Luis: Nothing wrong with dating Jessy

Vilma Santos (MNS Photo) Congresswoman Vilma Santos has come out in strong support of her son Luis Manzano after the television host received harsh criticism over his admission that he is dating actress Jessy Mendiola. “Naniniwala ako sa anak ko na sa edad niya ay kaya na niyang dalhin ang sarli niya,” the “Star of All Seasons” said, adding that the allegations that Manzano cheated on his former girlfriend, actress Angel Locsin, with Mendiola will soon pass. “They [Manzano and Mendiola] are mature enough to handle such situations,” Santos explained. “It is just napi-piyesta lang masyado. That’s why I was telling them to be calm, relax lang kayo, huwag nang patol ng patol. Lalagpas din iyan.” Manzano, three months after confirming his split with Locsin, told the media that he and Mendiola have started going out. It was in response to a report claiming that they are already a couple, and after photos of them on a movie date surfaced. As the news broke, fans of Locsin were quick to assert that the former “Maria Mercedes” star was the third party in the high-profile breakup—a claim Manzano vehemently denied. Responding to the rumors, Santos insisted that there is nothing wrong with her son dating Mendiola, and said that she believes him when he said that he did not cheat on Locsin. Santos also managed a laugh when asked about her thoughts on her son’s taste in women. With Mendiola, Manzano has now dated three actresses who were named “sexiest” in Read More …

Jul 262016
 
9 Filipinos found guilty of intrusion into Sabah

More than three years after the Kg Tanduo intrusion which killed 11 security personnel, nine Filipinos have been found guilty of having waged war against the Malaysian king. Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 53, the nephew of the late self-proclaimed Sultan Jamallul Kiram III who ordered the attack in Kampung Tanduo, was convicted under Section 121 of the Penal Code along with Filipinos Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 45, Basad Manuel, 41, Ismail Yasin, 76, Virgelio Nemar Patuluda Mohammad, 52, Al Wazir Osman, 61, Salib Akhmad Emali, 63, Tani Lahad Dahi, 63, and Julham Rashid, 69. READ: Sabah court to try Filipinos in standoff The offense carries the death penalty. Amirbahar, Salib, Al Wazir, Tani and Julham – as well as Timhar Hadir, 39, and Habil Suhaili, 68 – were also convicted of being members of a terrorist group under Section 130KA of the Penal Code. Habil died in April during trial due to health problems. Prior to the hearing yesterday, Atik, Basad and Ismail had admitted to the charge, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years. Others who had pleaded guilty earlier to the same charge were Lin Mad Salleh, Holland Kalbi and Aiman Radie. High Court Justice Stephen Chung similarly convicted Nor­haida Ibnahi, 49, the only woman on trial, of harboring persons committing terror acts under Section 130K. He, however, acquitted Basil Samiul, 35, of knowingly soliciting support for a terrorist group under Section 130J but ordered for him to be deported. The only Malaysian to stand Read More …