MNS – 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)

Duterte issues reminder, but no new policies, in meeting with mining execs

Entertainment

Aug 042017

Duterte issues reminder, but no new policies, in meeting with mining execs

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 26th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 2, 2017, clarifies that he doesn’t need government workers to be loyal to him but insists that they should be loyal to the country. (MNS photo) MANILA, Aug 4 (Mabuhay) –President Rodrigo Duterte met with mining executives on Thursday night in Malacañang days after he threatened to “tax to death” the industry amid issues of illegal mining in the country. But Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Duterte assured the mining executives that they won’t have a problem as long as they follow mining rules in the country. “During that meeting with the miners, the President essentially said that, for as long as mining groups, whether big or small, follow the rules on mining and keep environmental laws in mind then there would be no problem and they can continue with their operations,” Guevarra said at a press conference in Pasay City. Duterte was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. During his second Sona, the President said that he would tax to death mining industry if they don’t clean up the adverse effects of their mining operations. In a speech in Davao City, Duterte made another warning to mining stakeholders that his administration was preparing a new legislation on mining. But Guevarra said no new Read More …

Duterte declines UP honorary degree

Entertainment

Apr 222017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the unveiling of the marker of the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center (MMCMMC) of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during its inauguration at the MMDA Metrobase in Makati City on April 4, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, April 19 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday politely declined to accept the offer of an honorary degree from the University of the Philippines (UP), saying that accepting awards is not in his personality. “With due respect sa University of the Philippines, I do not accept even when I was mayor. Hindi ako tumatanggap, I do not… As a matter of personal and official policy, I do not accept awards. Wala sa pagkatao ko,” the President told reporters following the ASEAN security briefing in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. “Hindi ko naman nire-reject. But I… To use the word reject is not good. I simply declined,” Duterte said. The UP Board of Regents (BOR), the university’s highest policy making body, is reportedly keen on conferring Duterte the honorary doctor of laws degree as part of tradition. However, some sectors are opposing the move due to alleged human rights violations in the campaign against drugs. Earlier, Malacañang said that President Duterte was not angling for any awards but might accept the honorary degree if offered. Following the development, Duterte became the third president to decline the conferment. Former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo have both declined honorary degrees from UP.

Passengers stranded at ports as Typhoon Nina approaches on Christmas Day

Entertainment

Dec 312016

Passengers stranded at ports as Typhoon Nina approaches on Christmas Day

Thousands of passengers arrive in droves at the various provincial bus stations in Cubao, Quezon City Friday (Dec. 23, 2016). A number of them have been at the station as early as Thursday night hoping to catch the earliest bus bound for their respective destinations. (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec 24 (Mabuhay) — Passengers have been barred by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other port authorities from leaving ports in anticipation for Typhoon Nina (international name Nock-Ten). In a tweet, the PCG wrote that a total of 3,682 passengers have been stranded in ports of Bicol, where Nina is expected to transition after it makes landfall in the Catanduanes-Camarines area by Sunday evening. PCG also counted 392 RoRos, 17 sea vessels, and 6 MBCas stranded in Bicol ports due to possible storm surges that may reach two meters over coastal areas of the Quezon-Bicol Region-Samar area. As of 6 a.m. on Saturday, the PCG counted 26,889 passengers in all ports nationwide. Weather bureau PAGASA announced that sea travel is risky “over seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon & of Visayas due to the surge of Northeast Monsoon and Nina.”(MNS)

Govt asked to act on war vets’ unpaid benefits

Entertainment

Apr 142014

Govt asked to act on war vets’ unpaid benefits

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, troops the line upon arrival at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 9, 2014) for the 72nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). This year’s theme is: “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago.”(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The government should act on over P20 billion in unpaid benefits for Filipino war veterans and their dependents, a senator said Wednesday. On Araw ng Kagitingan, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer, said government funding in the last three years have not been enough to cover all war veterans, despite a 20-year-old law standardizing benefits for them. “Republic Act 7696 was enacted in recognition of the relevant role our war veterans and military retirees played in protecting the country. However, a number of them have died without enjoying the benefits due to lack of government funding because it was not specified under the law,” Trillanes said. The senator was referring to a legislation passed in 1994, which specified entitlements for military veterans and their dependents. According to Trillanes, the government’s total obligation to war veterans reached P25 billion in 2010. The administration only allocated P170 million for military veterans that year, and P2.9 billion in 2013. To address the shortfall, Trillanes is asking the Senate to pass Senate Bill (S.B.) 166, which proposes paying war veterans’ benefits through Read More …

Henares: I hope Pacquiao will win vs Bradley

Entertainment

Apr 112014

Henares: I hope Pacquiao will win vs Bradley

Manny Pacquiao, right, from the Philippines, connects with a right to the head of Timothy Bradley, from Palm Springs, Calif. , in their WBO world welterweight title fight Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Las Vegas. Despite what many believed was a fight won by Pacquaio resulted in a split-decision loss to Bradley. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares and Sarangani Lone District Rep. Manny Pacquiao may have locked horns in the past due to the Filipino boxing champ’s P2.2 billion tax woes, but with the Pacman’s impending April 13 fight with WBO Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr., Henares said she is one with the nation in wishing for Pacquiao’s victory. The tax commissioner said she should be the least of Pacquiao’s concerns as he prepares for the fight. “May laban siya (Pacquiao) ngayong linggo; hindi ako ang dapat iniisip niya … I was asked about him; kung hindi ako tinatanong, hindi naman ako magsasalita. “Sana manalo siya,” Henares said. Henares said she hopes Pacquiao has already learned his lesson, and would accurately declare and pay his taxes from earnings in the Bradley fight. Henares also said she hopes Bob Arum would get an interpreter so he would understand all her pronouncements in Filipino about Pacquiao’s tax woes. “It’s Holy Week, [we] should be more tolerant,” Henares added. (MNS)

Aquino swears in ambassadors, new government officials

Entertainment

Apr 092014

Aquino swears in ambassadors, new government officials

President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 women’s volleyball champion Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles, led by Season and Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alyssa Valdez, for a selfie shot during the group’s courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (April 03). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III administered the oath of office of newly appointed ambassadors and government officials in a ceremony at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall on Monday. The newly appointed ambassadors were former Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez as Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Petronila Garcia as Philippine Ambassador to Canada, and Joseph Gerald Angeles as Philippine Ambassador to South Africa. Under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus Yabes and Special Envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperative Council Amable Aguiluz were also sworn into office. Former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Eduardo Oban and Marciano Paynor Jr. were both sworn in as Undersecretaries under the Office of the Executive Secretary. Other officials who took their oath of office were Jess Anthony Yu as Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office; Jose Emmanuel Reverente as Undersecretary of the Department of Finance; Edwin Carillo as Assistant Government Corporate Counsel under the Department of Justice; Victorio Mario Dimagiba as Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; Rodolfo Isorena as Vice Admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard under Read More …

Tuason to appeal immunity application

Entertainment

Apr 062014

State witness Ruby Tuason reads her opening statement during the Feb. 13, 2014 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged pork barrel scam as Justice Secretary Leila del Lima (right) and whistle-blower Benhur Luy (left) listen. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The camp of Ruby Tuason plans to appeal her application for immunity from lawsuit before the Office of the Ombudsman after she was indicted for plunder charges. Tuason’s lawer Dennis Manalo said they were not surprised by the Ombudsman’s ruling given Tuason’s admission that she was involved in the pork barrel scam. He said they have five days to file a motion for reconsideration to resolve her pending application for immunity. Tuason, who is under the witness protection program on a provisional basis, is currently out of the country. “We are hoping that in the assessment and evaluation of Tuason’s application for immunity, things will turn around for the better insofar as she’s concerned,” Manalo said. “It is Mrs. Tuason herself who said a crime was committed and she was involved in the commission of that crime. She admits probable cause but what she is saying is that she is entitled to benefits of immunity as provided for under the law because she voluntarily stepped forward with her statement and cooperated with government in the prosecution of this case,” he added.(MNS)

PNoy: RH, sin tax laws helped provide free health coverage to 14.7M families

Entertainment

Mar 262014

PNoy: RH, sin tax laws helped provide free health coverage to 14.7M families

Philippine President Benigno Aquino (2nd L) greets lawmakers after making a speech during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila July 22, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said some 14.7 million families received free health coverage from the government through the two laws he had openly supported. “Bukod po sa makabuluhang serbisyong mula sa ehekutibo, nakipag-ambagan na rin ang lehislatura upang maisabatas ang Sin Tax Reform Law at ang Responsible Parenthood Law na nagbibigay kakayahan sa atin na lalong magbigay-lingap sa ating mga kababayan,” Aquino said during the launch of the Alaga Ka Program, an advocacy campaign meant to spread information about the expanded health coverage, at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Aquino signed both the Sin Tax Reform and Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Acts in December 2012. Both were certified as urgent by the President. Under the Sin Tax Reform Act, 85 percent of the tax revenues will go toward the health budget. From that, 80 percent will be funneled to the Universal Health Care Program, and 20 percent will go toward health facilities enhancements. Using these funds and provisions in the RH law assuring health benefits for the poor, the government expanded from 5 million to 14.7 million the indigent families with access to primary healthcare services. “Tunay pong malayo na ang ating narating mula nang tahakin natin ang tuwid na daan, at isa po ang sektor ng kalusugan Read More …

PHL-MILF peace deal to be inked ‘end of March’

Entertainment

Mar 042014

PHL-MILF peace deal to be inked ‘end of March’

(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak upon arrival for the Meeting at the Perdana Putra Building in Putrajaya on Friday (February 28) during his State Visit to Malaysia. President Aquino and PM Najib are expected to discuss the upcoming signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. (MNS photo) PUTRAJAYA (AFP) – The Philippine government and Muslim rebels will sign a peace deal to end one of Asia’s longest and deadliest insurgencies “by the end of March”, Malaysia’s prime minister said Friday after meeting his Filipino counterpart. Prime Minister Najib Razak said President Benigno Aquino invited him to witness the ceremony when “the comprehensive agreement is due to be signed by the end of March”. An official in the office of Aquino’s adviser on the peace negotiations confirmed the signing was targeted for the end of next month though no exact date has been set. “The successful conclusion of the Mindanao peace process… makes possible the empowerment of all the peoples of Mindanao,” Aquino told reporters referring to the southern Philippine state where a decades-long rebellion has killed more than 150,000, mostly civilians. Aquino was speaking to reporters in Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya on his first visit to the neighbouring country. The Philippine government and the 12,000-member Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) completed negotiations last month for a power-sharing arrangement with the nation’s Muslim minority in the south. Muslim-majority Malaysia hosted the negotiations. The Read More …

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