Mar 042014
 
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S MONTH: Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the Social Justice Committee, lauds the dedication and perseverance shown by working women worldwide, especially those serving the public sector. Binay, who gave the inspiring message in celebration of Women’s month during the Senate flag raising ceremony Monday morning, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes (right) and Senate Legal Officer and Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point chair, Atty. Valentina Cruz. (MNS photo)

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S MONTH: Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the Social Justice Committee, lauds the dedication and perseverance shown by working women worldwide, especially those serving the public sector. Binay, who gave the inspiring message in celebration of Women’s month during the Senate flag raising ceremony Monday morning, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes (right) and Senate Legal Officer and Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point chair, Atty. Valentina Cruz. (MNS photo)

MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Monday shrugged off news that Vice President Jejomar Binay will be launching a new political party which will carry him as standard bearer in 2016.

“We have no comment on the formation of a new political party by Vice President Binay. Obviously, if that is true, that is his decision to make. We have no hand in there, so we have no comment,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference.

He issued the statement after Binay announced he is leaving the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Laban (PDP-Laban) and will instead be forming a new party for the 2016 presidential elections. The party will reportedly be introduced on June 12, Independence Day.

Aside from Binay, reports indicate that Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is interested in joining the 2016 presidential race.

Lacierda, however, said President Benigno Aquino III is not thinking about these things right now as he is “occupied in governance.” Aquino is chairman of the Liberal Party.

“Let me tell you that we are in the 849th day of our administration. There’s still those number of days for governance, so… he is occupied in governance right now,” Lacierda said.

As for reports that previous LP vice presidential bet and Interior Sec. Mar Roxas will also be running in 2016 with Aquino’s sister Kris Aquino as running mate, Lacierda said this is a decision for the President to make.

“It’s a decision that the President has to make who his anoint[ed] – who his successor will be or who his handpicked choice will be. It’s too far off and I don’t want to preempt the President,” he said.

Lacierda added that whatever decision Aquino makes, “we will support, and we will wait for his decision, and wait for his announcement.”

For now, the Palace official said Roxas is “busy.”

“Over the weekend, he was in Boracay, I think, protecting the ancestral domain of the Ati. So he’s in the midst of doing his job as Secretary of Interior and Local Government,” he said.

Lacierda said other aspiring candidates should be doing the same.

“I think all of them are fully aware that they have responsibilities to perform, and I don’t think the fact that they are entertaining a presidential run would affect their performance as – in their respective capacities,” he said.

“I think it’s a mandate for all public officials to serve the public good, whether you are running for a higher office or not,” Lacierda added. (MNS)

Dec 212013
 
Med mission leaders to lead largest Independence Day fest outside PH

While singing Christmas carols, Drs. Felicisima and Emilio Quines (center-right) are flanked by Philippine Independence Day Parade former (1997) Overall Chair Nelia Ferrette, chairman of the 2014 Grand Marshal Search Committee Olivia David and PIDCI Treasurer Violeta McGough. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Rolan Gutierrez NEW YORK—Philippine Medical Association of America (PMAA) presidents and longterm medical mission volunteers Drs. Emilio and Felicisima Quines were named grand marshals of next year’s festive Philippine Independence Day parade. Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI), which works year-round for the biggest Philippine Independence Day parade outside of the Philippines—held first Sunday of June along Madison Avenue—announced that the Quineses stood out in the Filipino-American community during the month-long public nomination process. “I first thought that the search process could be pretty daunting, but it turned out to be pretty easy, especially when the nomination papers of Drs. Quines reached my desk,” said Olivia David, chairman of the 2014 Grand Marshal Search Committee. The Independence Day Parade is accompanied by an all-day street fair and cultural festival, attended by about 100,000 Filipinos from the New York Tri-State area, Pennsylvania and visitors from neighboring states and California, and Canada. PIDCI President Fe Martinez, former (1997) Overall Chair Nelia Ferrette, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario de Leon, Jr, who is also an honorary adviser, and current PIDCI board members, officially welcomed the new grand marshals to PIDCI during an intimate dinner reception held at the consul’s residence in the Upper East Side December 13. “I’ve known the Quineses Read More …

Jul 202013
 
As Congress opens, group pushes tougher flag law

With Congress set to open in July 22, an environmental group pushing for amendments to the Flag Law that would outlaw the use of paint with lead and other toxic chemicals in making flags and other national symbols. The EcoWaste Coalition called for such amendments after finding several flag-based souvenir items sold in Quiapo (Manila) and Cubao (Quezon City) contained lead, arsenic, cadmium, antimony and chromium last June. “(W)e find it apt that R.A. 8491, or the ‘Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,’ be amended to prohibit the use of leaded paint and other hazardous materials in the making of our flag and other national symbols and in products featuring such symbols.  These revered symbols of our nationhood should be toxin-free, posing no risks to human health and the environment,” said group coordinator Aileen Lucero. She chided the government for being slow in phasing out the use of leaded decorative paint, which she said is highly regulated in many countries. RA 8491 promotes “reverence and respect” for “the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.” Independence day findings The group’s call stemmed from an incident last June where it noted some souvenir items bearing images of the Philippine flag and Coat of Arms in time for Independence Day – such as metallic keyholders and pins – were found to contain toxic substances. “The lead levels found on the paints used for the Read More …

Jul 052013
 
Positive sentiments boost share prices

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) advanced 0.56 percent or 36.22 points to settle at 6,500.48, ending the week with a two-day climb as investors turned positive following a streak of favorable foreign news. The broader all shares index added 0.44 percent or 17.31 points to 3,972.63. “The trend is that global markets remain cautious but positive and the local market continued to be overwhelmed by bargain hunters,” Astro C. del Castillo, managing director of First Grade Finance Inc., said in a phone interview. Asia Pacific also ended the week with another gain, giving local investors a positive sign as jitters eased in the past few days, Del Castillo said. Asian shares rose on Friday as investors take position ahead of the US Labor Department’s release of employment data. A weaker job market is seen to convince the US Federal Reserve not to ease its bond buying stimulus program. US financial markets were closed for the Independence Day holiday. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In the local bourse, counters were mixed, led by holding firms that added 1.28 percent or 75.54 points to 5,960.72. Decliners were paced by 0.56 percent or 82.45 points to 14,532.53. The value of shares traded fell to P5.18 billion compared with P5.43 billion on Thursday. Net foreign selling hit P188.49 million. Advancers outplayed decliners, 86 to 64, while 46 stocks did not change.

Jun 162013
 

MANILA, June 12 (Mabuhay) – Members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday lauded the Aquino administration for its economic gains and the peace pact it entered with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). During the traditional Independence Day toast in Malacañang, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, dean of the diplomatic corps, cited the Philippine government for the […]

Jun 152013
 

MANILA (Mabuhay) – Re-elected Sen. Gregorio Honasan on Wednesday said the Aquino administration should be very careful in dealing with the alleged recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation to charge members of the Coast Guard for the killing of a Taiwanese fishermen. Speaking to reporters during the 115th Independence Day celebration at the Pinaglabanan […]

Jun 112013
 
Rainy Independence Day in SLuzon, Visayas – PAGASA

Filipinos going outdoors to take part in the celebration of Independence Day may have to bring umbrellas and rain gear, state weather forecasters said Tuesday afternoon. In its special weather forecast for Independence Day, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring rain particularly to Southern Luzon and Visayas. “Bicol region, MIMAROPA and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rains and thunderstorms,” it said. It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.” Independence Day is considered a regular holiday. President Benigno Aquino III is to lead Independence Day rites at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Wednesday morning. On the other hand, the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit will offer free rides at 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reminded motorists the number coding scheme is lifted for Wednesday. — TJD, GMA News