Let's hope this is not just an election gimmick.
The national government seeks to improve its PHP44-Billion Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Conditional Cash transfer (CCT) program by next year, according to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. The program will be pursued as the banner anti-poverty program of the government said Abad in a recent memorandum that was sent to various agency heads.
Complained about the hour-long queue at your polling precincnt yesterday? This guy climbed four floors to his voting precinct at the Pembo Elementary School in Makati City just to exercise his right to vote - and he has neither arms nor legs!
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested two alleged members of the Waray-Waray robbery gang in a raid at Parañaque City. Initially identified as Boni and Ka-yo Lungkop, both were caught at a house in Manggahan Bukid Puno, according to official statements of the NBI.
Manila was truly an election hotspot on Monday as the camps of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and his arch nemesis, deposed President Joseph Estrada, exchanged allegations of cheating, harassment and election fraud.
Elections in Quezon City turned out much as expected with reelectionists Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte having a comfortable lead over opponents voters barely knew.
According to Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting,which has been doing a parallel unofficial election count, Bautista had 460,721 votes early Tuesday morning. His closest opponent, Johnny Chang, had a dismal 44,958 votes. Bautista's other opponent, Henry Samonte, got even less than that, 20,688 votes.
COCONUTS HOT SPOT -- When reviewing restaurants, it’s a common practice to comment on the interior as well because even when the food offerings are great, if the ambiance is uninviting, the overall dining experience can’t merit a two-thumbs-up in my book.
Having a pleasant and attractive atmosphere—courtesy of its well-lit, country-style interior with Instagram-worthy wooden elements and pretty décors—is why Grand Momma’s Kitchen easily got my nod of approval.
The Philippine National Police counts 81 incidents of poll-related violence from January 13 to election day adding it will remain on alert until all votes are counted.
PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo said in a Radio DZMM report that the May 13 elections were generally peaceful despite five shooting incidents including an ambush in Sulu that left two dead.
Reelectionist Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr. will be getting three more years in power as the Commission on Elections on Tuesday afternoon officially proclaimed him the winning candidate in local polls.
Binay won by a landslide against his opponent lawyer Renato Bondal. Binay's running mate lost to incumbent Vice Mayor Kid Pena, a member of the Liberal Party, according to a Balitanghali report.
It seems Metro Manila residents are not as into alcohol (or breaking the law) as we thought.
According to an Interaksyon report, most of 201 people arrested for violating the election liquor ban were from outside the capital. Davao region, where 148 were arrested, had the most violators. The rest came from Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and other component cities of Metro Manila.
Muscle-bound movie star Vin Diesel was spotted today enjoying the sights and sounds of Bonifacio High Street.
What was this bigscreen bad boy doing in Manila? Is "Fast and the Furious 7" going to shoot in the Philippines?
We have no idea. But enjoy the photos.
Photos: Instagram user @issastar
Manila is so cool right now, with all the Hollywood stars visiting.
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz just had a concert some hours ago.
Vin Diesel and the rest of “Fast & Furious 6” are also in town for the movie’s red carpet premiere.
Inquirer News has published a round up of local winners for the Mayor and Vice Mayor posts.
MANILA:
Mayor
ESTRADA EJERCITO, ERAP—343,993
LIM, ALFREDO—308,544
Vice Mayor
DOMAGOSO, ISKO—395,156
VELOSO, LOU—234,256
MAKATI
Mayor
BINAY, JUNJUN—224,749
BONDAL, RENE—27,505
Vice Mayor
DE VEYRA, MARGE—122,956
PEÑA, KID—129,499
MANDALUYONG
Deposed President, former San Juan Mayor, and now Manila Mayor-elect Joseph Estrada promised his supporters that he will serve for one term only. After which he will turn over the reins to his running mate, re-electionist Isko Moreno.
Political parties aside, Malacañang has said it will support and work closely with Manila City Hall now that former President Estrada has won the Mayoralty race.
In a Philippine Star report, Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino and Estrada have been "good friends" ever since. He noted too that despite their political differences, the families had actually remained good friends. He stressed that the two politicians get along on a "personal level".
Former Mayor Jaime Fresnedi reclaims the Muntinlupa Mayoralty seat after beating re-electionist Aldrin San Pedro. It was a close fight; with Fresnedi cornering 88,071 votes while San Pedro finished with 83,337 votes.
Fresnedi, a Liberal Party candidate, was proclaimed by the city board of canvassers at the Muntinlupa city hall people’s center at past 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the Philippine Star reported.
British luxury automobile badge Bentley is now in the Philippines, giving us mere mortals more shiny things to feel envious about and confirming the country's position as an emerging market.
The Manila Bentley showroom at the PGA building on EDSA opened earlier this month and now have the Bentley Mulsanne, Continental GT, Continental GT Speed and Continental GTC on display according to an Inquirer report.
Gabriela Women's Party Representatives Luz Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus are calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs to ban Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto from entering the Philippines for defending Japan's use of "comfort women" during World War II.
Hashimoto has been reported as saying the use of sex slaves was necessary to maintain discipline and morale among Imperial Japanese soldiers during the war.
It was a clean sweep for the local ticket of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Navotas City.
The winners were led by re-electionist Mayor John Rey Tiangco and his older brother, re-electionist Rep. Toby Tiangco. The brothers and the rest of the local UNA candidates, were proclaimed at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. According to the Philippine Star, a total of 92,775 voters from Navotas participated in Monday's exercise.
“Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker arrived in Manila yesterday at 6:45pm, and according to Jason Alvarez, SM Store’s senior manager for digital marketing, she was really friendly and sincere. Looking very simple and down-to-earth, Sarah Jessica Parker (for some strange reason, we feel compelled to always use her whole name) even lined up at immigration herself.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, whose term ends on June 30, has accepted defeat and wishes the city's incoming administration the best.
"We respect and acknowledge the said proclamation and wish them all the best," Lim said in a Sun Star Online report. This was a far cry from the fighting words traded by the candidates before the elections Monday.
