MANILA – Maniolas

Senate OKs 2018 budget for Office of the President in 2 minutes

Oct 212017

Senators Vicente Sotto III and Franklin Drilon talk to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the deliberations on the proposed 2018 budget of the Office of the President. (MNS photo)

MANILA, Oct 11 (Mabuhay) –The Senate on Wednesday approved the proposed P6.03-billion budget for the Office of the President (OP) for 2018 in just two minutes.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was present during the Senate’s budget interpellations.

Senate Minority Franklin Drilon said no questions will be raised on the OP’s budget “out of inter-departamental courtesy.”

“Traditionally, in the chamber, we do not raise issues on the budget of the Office of the President out of inter-departamental courtesy; and therefore, we would move to a motion that the budget of the Office of the President be submitted for the consideration of the plenary without any further question,” Drilon said.

The motion was approved without any objections.(MNS)

Faeldon snubs Senate probe anew over ‘impartiality’ of some senators

Entertainment

Sep 122017

Faeldon snubs Senate probe anew over ‘impartiality’ of some senators

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon (MNS Photo) MANILA, Sept 7 (Mabuhay) — Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon snubbed the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment Thursday morning, saying he no longer has faith in the supposed “impartiality” of some senators. In a letter sent to the committee chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, Faeldon explained that his absence is “not to defy the Senate as an institution” but rather, “a way of protesting.” “I continue to have the highest respect for the Senate as an institution but I no longer have faith in the impartiality in some of its members who have lied to malign me and other innocent resource persons,” Faeldon said. In his previous appearance, Faeldon risked being cited in contempt after he refused to answer questions of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who had said that he was at the heart of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) controversy. “This is not to defy as an institution. This is a way of protesting. I want my team and I to be last victims of baseless accusations, persecution, and condemnation,” Faledon said. It was Faeldon’s second time to skip the hearing since the committee issued a subpoena against him. Gordon said the committee will hold an executive session to discuss whether Faeldon should be cited in contempt. “The remarks are contemptuous. He has been properly invited and subpoenaed. Although he has grievances, I’d like the Senate to address this particular matter,” he said. (MNS)

Duterte’s birthday wishes: More strength, time with family

Entertainment

Mar 252017

Duterte’s birthday wishes: More strength, time with family

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte MANILA, March 23 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s birthday wishes are simple – more strength to complete his work and a quiet time with his family. “So my wish really, my prayer to God is that bigyan niya ako ng konting lakas na lang to do our — work, time because it is needed,” he said during a press briefing held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon arriving from his official visits to Myanmar and Thailand. The President, who will be turning 72 on March 28, said that 24 hours is not really enough for the presidency, unless one wants to sleep more than just about four hours. “I only ask God that give me a little bit of time, a little strength to surmount the problems of the country and that I’d be able, not really to solve but maybe mitigate some of the rigors of governance,” Duterte said. He also said that the only gift he would like on his birthday is time with his loved ones. “I would be very glad to spend my time with my newest grandson Stone and the rest of my children and grandchildren. That would have been the greatest gift that I can ask in this planet. Iyon sa akin tama na,” he said. Duterte said that he could no longer ask for more since God has already given him everything. “Naibigay na ng Diyos ang lahat ang dapat ko. I have reached the highest — the Read More …

Better skin every day

Entertainment

Aug 132013

Skin savers: (clockwise from left) Murad Skin Perfecting Primer, Time Release Retinol Concentrate, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Vitamin C series are available at Rustan’s. MANILA, Philippines -Murad was one of the earliest proponents of vitamin C and its myriad benefits. One of the pioneers of cosmeceuticals in the late ’80s, he then pioneered nutriceuticals in the mid-’90s, never following beauty trends but setting his own. He was the first to use ingredients like goji berries, pomegranate and durian extract in his formulas (they source durian from the Philippines, by the way). Here are five current products I can’t live without: • Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture – This super moisturizer not only locks in hydration for eight hours, it also tones skin and has a velvety-rich yet lightweight texture. • Advanced Active Radiance Serum – Murad’s Active Radiance series is the ultimate answer to blah skin. This improves brightness, clarity and radiance by 60 percent in less than a week! • Intensive-C Radiance Peel – I take a moment of “me time” once a week to relax and let this tingly peel smooth and enhance the luminosity of my skin. • Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles – I love the long, beaklike applicator, which really lets you get in there and spackle your frown lines, visibly reducing them by 45 percent in six weeks. • Skin Perfecting Primer – This high-tech primer adapts to your skin tone and offers a host of other benefits, shrinking pore size, evening out texture, Read More …

DOE eyes 5,905 MW from new RE projects

Economy

Aug 112013

An example of a renewable energy project. MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) expects an additional 5,905 megawatts of potential capacity from 347 new projects under the Renewable Energy law. These projects will have an installed capacity of 2,334 MW, according to the DOE. Of the 347 renewable energy projects, 177 are hydropower projects, 39 are geothermal ventures and 37 are wind farms. There are also 34 solar projects, 29 biomass projects and three projects that would utilize ocean energy, the DOE said. There are also 249 pending projects under the RE law, with a potential capacity of 3,301 MW and 20.75 MW of installed capacity. The Energy department is focused on solving the short-term power supply problem in Mindanao. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa), has been urging renewable energy investments in the region to help address the current power supply crunch. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The government has been encouraging players in the renewable energy sector through feed-in-tariffs. The FIT regime is a form of incentives for renewable energy players. Feed-in tariffs offer cost-based compensation to renewable energy players among other perks.

Aquino admits rift with Enrile

Entertainment

Jun 072013

But Palance downplays its effect on bills MANILA, June 6 (Mabuhay) – The head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) on Thursday admitted not being in good terms with resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile but denied that it has caused the vetoing of bills in the 15th Congress. Secretary Manuel Mamba, who acts […]

Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

News

Mar 042013

Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

By Karen Boncocan INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM 3:38 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – A political analyst on Monday called for emotional restraint as tension between the royal army of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Malaysian authorities escalated in Sabah. In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Professor Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism, said that violent reactions from the public would only aggravate the situation. “We have to exercise self-restraint,” he said, pointing out that he has observed “mutual reactions” from both sides of the Filipino and Malaysian people. Violent reactions could spill over and cause further conflict, he said. “We are observers, we have to be calm.” Banlaoi also urged the government to make a stand on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah. “Dapat ma-clarify ang position ng gobyerno sa Sabah. Napapanahon na rin na ma-clarify ng gobyerno kung ano talaga ang opisyal na position nito–kung dormant man, ida-drop ba o ipapaglaban ba? [The government should clarify its position on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah. It is about time that the government clarify its official position—if it is dormant, will we drop it or will we fight for it?]” he asked. For more of the interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Tagle: I don’t know much about choosing the next Pope

Entertainment

Feb 192013

Tagle: I don’t know much about choosing the next Pope

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle while celebrating mass during Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, at the Roman Catholic Archbishop chapel in Manila, February 13, 2013. Tagle, 55, who became a cardinal in November 2012, is among those mentioned as possible successors of Pope Benedict XVI, who surprised the world on Monday when he announced his resignation due at the end of the month. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 18 (Mabuhay) – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle admitted that as a newbie cardinal, he still does not know much about the process of selecting a new pope. “Inaamin ko po, hindi ko pa alam kung anong gagawin, kung paano boboto,” he said, adding that this function is something that he is still studying and contemplating much about. Asked by the media about his preparations for the upcoming conclave, he said all he is doing for now is to pray. He said he does not even know as to when he will be called to the Vatican. He said he was “caught by surprise” by Pope Benedict XVI’s sudden resignation this month. Nevertheless, Tagle said that this only shows the integrity of the pope, saying that he was just being realistic given his current health condition. “His physical and mental strength was waning,” the cardinal said. “He showed integrity by not clinging to his position, for the good of the ministry.” Tagle also expressed admiration on the pope’s leadership. “The thing that strikes me the most about the pontificate of the Read More …

Pinoy sailor killed by pirate in Nigeria – DFA

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Pinoy sailor killed by pirate in Nigeria – DFA

Newly recruited female marines participate in an assault drill at a river inside the marine headquarters in the town of Ternate, Cavite city, south of Manila February 5, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 6 (Mabuhay) – A Filipino seaman of a Marshall-flagged chemical tanker was shot on board the vessel by a pirate in Nigeria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Filipino, whose identity he declined to disclose, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. “The family of the fatality has already been informed of this sad development,” Hernandez told a press briefing. The vessel Pyxis Delta, hijacked on February 4, had eight other Filipino crewmembers. They are all safe on board the ship, which is anchored off the coast of Nigeria, Hernandez said. (MNS)

8 PH international airports to get security cameras—CAAP

News

Feb 062013

By Jerome Aning Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:33 pm | Wednesday, February 6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Wednesday it has allocated P100 million for the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in the immigration areas of eight alternative international airports in the country. CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III said the installation of the surveillance camera systems was in line with the agency’s safety and security program for all Philippine airports. According to Hotchkiss, CAAP will be signing this month an agreement with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) which would co-manage the operation of the CCTV systems that would record goings-on at the immigration counters. “The agreement is a joint effort by the Iacat and the CAAP designed to enhance airports’ capability in monitoring passengers and other airport users’ movement in the immigration areas,” Hotchkiss said in a statement. The eight airports are the Clark International Airport in Pampanga; Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City; Iloilo International Airport; Bacolod–Silay International Airport; Kalibo International Airport; Puerto Princesa International Airport; Zamboanga International Airport; and Laoag International Airport. Under the agreement, CAAP will provide funding for the surveillance equipment through competitive bidding while Iacat will co-manage the operations of the integrated surveillance systems. The Iacat, composed of five government agencies and three private-sector representatives, is tasked with crafting and implementing policies to stop trafficking in persons. There have been allegations that unscrupulous immigration and airport officials are conniving with traffickers to allow in and out of the Read More …