Pork scam suspect and former Enrile aide Gigi Reyes back in the PHL

 News
Apr 182014
 
Pork scam suspect and former Enrile aide Gigi Reyes back in the PHL

Seen as a key personality in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam and charged with plunder because of it, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff, Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, returned to the Philippines early Saturday. Reyes landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via PR-104 from San Francisco, GMA News reported. “I’m facing the charges. I’ve always faced it,” Reyes was reported to have said when she arrived.  Earlier this month, Reyes’ representatives had asked the Ombudsman to reconsider its decision to file plunder charges against her over the P10-billion scam. Reyes claimed her constitutional right to due process was violated, and denied receiving any commission from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the infamous pork barrel. Reyes resigned as Enrile’s chief of staff last January, amid accusations she had personally wielded power over Senate matters on behalf of Enrile, who was then the Senate President. Enrile is among the three senators charged with plunder over the pork scam. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News

PHL still 3rd deadliest country for journalists — int'l watchdog group  

 News
Apr 162014
 
PHL still 3rd deadliest country for journalists — int'l watchdog group  

The Philippines once again ranked as the third most deadly country for journalists in the world, based on the report of the international watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Based on the CPJ’s 2014 Global Impunity Index, the Philippines retained its third worst spot on the list, which it has held since 2010. This year, it was just behind Iraq and Somalia. “Fresh violence and a failure to prosecute old cases kept Iraq, Somalia, and the Philippines in the three worst slots on the Index,” said the group. It explained that the conviction of the gunman who shot broadcaster-environmentalist Gerry Ortega in 2011 was a

PHL celebrates comeback of boxing hero Pacquiao

 Entertainment
Apr 152014
 
PHL celebrates comeback of boxing hero Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao lands a left hand to the head of Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines united in celebration on Sunday as its boxing hero Manny Pacquiao cemented his comeback by avenging his 2012 loss to American Timothy Bradley to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title. Crowds watching the fight, which was broadcast live from Las Vegas in several parks, squares and public stadiums around the archipelago, erupted in cheers as Pacquiao was declared winner in a unanimous 12-round decision. “The people of the nation are united in cheering on the victory of the nation’s fist, Congressman Manny Pacquiao. He is the symbol of the excellence of the Filipino in all endeavors,” said President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma shortly after the victory. He said Pacquiao’s latest victory was symbolic of the way Filipinos can recover from the worst disasters, an apparent reference to Super Typhoon Haiyan and the earthquake that struck the country last year, killing thousands. Street sweeper Fernando Baque 52, one of the thousands who watched the fight on a giant screen in a park in suburban Manila, said: “I was happy to see him win. He can still take it. He isn’t that old. He really controlled the fight. His punches really rocked Bradley. “He shouldn’t retire yet. The country still needs him,” he told AFP. Questions about whether Pacquiao had grown too old to fight surfaced Read More …

PHL to review export policy on firearms following US state senator's smuggling case

 News
Apr 142014
 
PHL to review export policy on firearms following US state senator's smuggling case

No firearms had been shipped out of the Philippines around the time US State Senator Leland Yee was said to be smuggling firearms from the country to the US, according to the Bureau of Customs. Just the same, reports of the supposed smuggling of firearms have prompted the BOC to review existing procedures in the exportation and importation of such weapons in the Philippines. “Wala kaming findings of declared (firearms shipment) nung time na iyon, supposedly out of Mindanao lumabas yung guns. Nag-check kami doon sa aming port collectors sa Cagayan de Oro as well as other ports, walang ni-report, walang dineclare na exports of firearms at the time,” BOC Commissioner John Philip Sevilla said on Monday. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Yee was part of a conspiracy to deal firearms without a license. The firearms were supposed to be sourced from a separatist group in the Philippines. Yee was arrested in March on charges of corruption and alleged conspiracy to illegally trade in firearms. The FBI also claims that Yee has associates in the Philippines “trying to overthrow the current government.” “Ngayon, ang pinapa-check namin is ano ba yung mga existing procedures ngayon regardless of what port para masiguro natin na… hindi rin nakakalabas ng Pilipinas yung contraband,” Sevilla said. Sevilla admitted that the government is “focused” more on monitoring the importation rather than exportation of products in the Philippines. “This is a good reminder na ito pwede ring magkaroon ng illegal activity pagpalabas ng products,” Read More …

PHL aims for US defense deal before Obama visit

 News
Apr 122014
 
PHL aims for US defense deal before Obama visit

The Philippines said Friday it hopes to complete a new defense accord with the United States ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama this month, as a territorial dispute with China simmers. The chief Philippine negotiator, defense undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, said in a statement the latest round of discussions about an increased US military presence in the country was “very productive”. “This round brought us much closer to finding full consensus and the draft provisions on key points of an enhanced defense cooperation will be submitted to the president for his review,” Batino said. Philippine negotiators on Friday said the eighth round of talks on a proposed military agreement had seen both sides “finding consensus on key points of a draft”. The agreement proposes allowing more US troops, aircraft, and ships to pass through the Philippines, as well as storing equipment in this country that could help mobilize American forces faster – particularly in the case of natural disasters. The accord would provide “critical and timely support to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (and the) achievement of the country’s minimum credible defense posture,” Batino’s statement said. The deal would not allow the US military to “establish a permanent military presence or base” or bring nuclear weapons into the country, in line with the Philippine Constitution. The proposed agreement could be signed before President Obama visits the Philippines this month, a foreign department spokesman said. “We aim to conclude the negotiations before the Obama visit,” Read More …

Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

 Entertainment
Apr 112014
 
Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the 72nd commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 09, 2014). This year’s theme is “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago”. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The United States on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to stand by the Philippines, its long-time ally, in the face of threats –  a statement that could have extra meaning in light of recent developments in the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing. “As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural disasters, so do we,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg during his speech at the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan in Bataan. Goldberg did not mention specific threats, but his speech came at the time of increasing tensions between the Philippines and China over overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Relations between the two Asian neighbors hit a low point when the Philippines sought arbitration in January 2013 to try to declare as illegal China’s massive claim over the South China Sea because it overlaps with Manila’s territories. In his speech, Goldberg instead explained that the shared “history of sacrifice” between Filipino and American troops during World War II “forges the special relationship” of the two countries. “As shown in history and present until this very day, we can and will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to Read More …

Japanese envoy apologizes for World War II, thanks PHL for ‘moving on’

 Entertainment
Apr 112014
 
Japanese envoy apologizes for World War II, thanks PHL for ‘moving on’

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) – Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe used the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan on Wednesday to apologize for Japan’s role during World War II, saying it has learned its lesson from those days. “Seventy-two years have passed. Still, it hurts to remember the hardship and pain suffered by so many during those fateful days. I wish to express our heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for such inexplicable suffering,” Urabe said during his speech at a program in Bataan. He said Japan has learned the “valuable lesson” from history that using force does not solve anything. “It only creates problems. That is why we have vowed never to wage war never again,” he said. This, he said, is the reason for their actions in the last seven decades. “Fortunately, the Filipinos have accepted to move on. We have been building the future together ever since. Thanks to the efforts of our predecessors, we are now strategic partners sharing common values,” he said. Urabe specifically cited the exchange visits between the two countries, Filipino and Japanese soldiers working Read More …

LA Fil-Am leaders hopeful justice will be served on PDAF plunder case vs three PHL senators

 Entertainment
Apr 082014
 
LA Fil-Am leaders hopeful justice will be served on PDAF plunder case vs three PHL senators

Senate Minority leader Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the accused in the so-called pork barrel scam, stresses a point in interpellating Senator Koko Pimentel III, sponsor of the Sandigan Bill, who sought the support of his colleagues for the passage of the measure, seeking to improve the disposition of cases in the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday (March 5) at the Session Hall, Senate Bldg in Pasay City. (MNS photo) Los Angeles – “The wheels of justice grinds slow. But justice will be served in the end. At the end of animated debate over the recent filing of charges by the Ombudsman against three PH Senators Enrile, Estrada and Revilla for plunder and 50 other subulterns including provisional witnesses, Filipino –American leaders at Talakayan sa FACLA last Thursday, April 03,  were united that justice will be finally  served in the Philippines. FACLA Director Atty. Ben Basilio said, “ Now that the case is filed in the Sandiganbayan, it means that the Aquino III administration is really serious in pursuing the case against three accused senators. They can file their motion for re-considerations but it’s up for the court to dismiss the case or pursue the case and order their arrest.” Justice Will Be Served Larry Pelayo also said, “he doubts if the three senators will heed the call of of the public to resign. They continue their fanatic defense that they are innocent of the charges and even some of them (Estrada and Revilla) went abroad.” Sid Balatan, an online journalist Read More …

PHL signs military aircraft contracts for jets, helicopters

 News
Mar 282014
 
PHL signs military aircraft contracts for jets, helicopters

The Philippines on Friday signed agreements to buy $528 million worth of military aircraft from South Korea and Canada amid ongoing territorial disputes with China. “After more than four decades of stagnancy in its dream of improving its capability, our air force has found a promise of new life with the realization of our (military) modernization program,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said. Korea Aerospace Industries will deliver 12 FA-50 jets worth P18.9 billion in just over three years under a contract agreed by defense officials and South Korean government representatives. The Philippines also completed a P4.8-billion contract with Canadian Commercial Corp. and Canada’s Bell Helicopters to build eight helicopters for the military. The twin deals are part of the Philippines’ P75-billion effort to upgrade its armed forces, particularly units tasked with patrolling disputed territory in the South China Sea. These units are dwarfed by those of neighboring China, which claims most of the area, including waters and islets much closer to the Philippines. China said its coast guard on March 9 blocked two Philippine-flagged vessels approaching Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), which is guarded by a small group of Filipino marines but is also claimed by Beijing, the latest in a string of such confrontations. Under the military upgrade program, President Benigno Aquino’s government has also acquired two refurbished frigates from the US Coast Guard. — Agence France-Presse

Olongapo students help shape positive picture of PHL in US

 Entertainment
Mar 272014
 
Olongapo students help shape positive picture of PHL in US

Strengthening people-to-people ties. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisa, Jr. congratulates the students from Olongapo who are participating in the first ever exchange program between Olongapo City and Virginia Beach (Philippine Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nine public school students from Olongapo City are helping shape a positive picture of the Philippines and strengthen people-to-people ties with the United States through an educational exchange program with the city of Virginia Beach in Virginia. The nine students make up the first delegation from Olongapo to participate in an exchange program under a sister city agreement with Virginia Beach that was made possible with the help of Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and the Philippine Embassy. The nine students from the Regional Science High School (RSHS) and Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) arrived in Virgnia Beach last week to participate in the exchange program with Tallwood High School. They are accompanied by Councilor Jong Cortez and teachers Miguel Esporas and Lovella Jarobel. The students, who are staying with foster families in Virginia Beach, are: Thea Ysobel Cortez, Frezniel Bien Salinas, Jonas Exequiel Soriano, John Daniel Mendoza, Ethan Arcelao, Keana McCoy, Via Ronquillo, Juliana Mendoza and Dainty Jewel Manuel. The students paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Cuisia, who initiated the exchange between during a visit to Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach last year. During their call, the students told the Ambassador that aside from discussing Philippine history and culture, they also try to get their American classmates to learn Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries