Basak Pardo fire victims receive family food packs, legal assistance
Basak Pardo fire victims receive family food packs, legal assistance.....»»
Martinez, Garcia families end feud; Bogo officials join One Cebu
Martinez, Garcia families end feud; Bogo officials join One Cebu.....»»
Martinez reelected ABC president, keeps PB seat
Martinez reelected ABC president, keeps PB seat.....»»
Leo Martinez opens up about Cherie Gil, their son Jay, his other kids
Actor-comedian Leo Martinez opened up about the good relationship his six children from three different women have with one another, including his son with the late actress Cherie Gil......»»
Leo Martinez nagsalita na tungkol sa nag-iisang anak nila ni Cherie Gil
SA unang pagkakataon ay nagbigay ng pahayag ang veteran actor na si Leo Martinez tungkol sa kanyang anim na anak. Isa na nga rito ay ang naging anak nila ng award-winning actress na si Cherie Gil na pumanaw noong August 5, 2022 sa edad na 59, matapos makipaglaban sa endometrial cancer. Ang tinutukoy namin ay.....»»
Former barangay councilor nabbed with P136,000 shabu in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A former councilor of Barangay Sto. Niño in Cebu City will be spending some time in jail after authorities caught him with P136,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Quiot Pardo on Thursday morning, December 7, 2023. The arrested person was identified as 47-year-old Brian Dwight Gaviola,.....»»
Shooting: Police check CCTV footage to identity suspects in bakery shooting
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police here will be checking CCTV footage to identify the suspects in the bakery shooting incident in Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City early Wednesday morning, November 22, 2023. Two persons riding a motorcycle can be seen in closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage driving by a local bakery located in Upper I. Tabura.....»»
PBA Player of the Week Javi Gomez De Liano takes the wheel for Dyip
Terrafirma is off to a fast start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, and Javi Gomez De Liano has something to do with it......»»
DVRMES: Arthaland’s Green Investment
When Typhoon Odette hit Cebu City in December 2021, Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School (DVRMES) in Barangay San Nicolas in Pardo, Cebu was one of the many infrastructures that was badly hit. The wind during Typhoon Odette was so strong it left young students with roofless classrooms. DVRMES needed more than to be repaired,.....»»
Haiti leader’s killer gets life sentence
A United States court on Friday sentenced to life in prison a retired Colombian military officer suspected as the leader of a mercernary group that assassinated Haiti’s president in 2021. The US says it has jurisdiction in the case because it alleges the plot to kill president Jovenel Moise was hatched in part in the country. German Rivera, considered one of the leaders of the mercenary squad that shot and killed Moise in his residence outside Port au Prince, appeared before Judge Jose Martinez to hear the sentence. Rivera, a retired captain, pleaded guilty last month to taking part in the plan. On Friday, dressed in brown prison garb, with his feet and wrists bound, Rivera passed on an opportunity to address the Miami court before the sentence was read out. He was the second person convicted in the US over the assassination, which plunged Haiti -- already plagued by poverty, gang violence, natural disasters, epidemics and a weak government — further into crisis. In June, another member of the conspiracy, Haitian-Chilean Rodolphe Jaar, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for his role in supplying weapons to carry out the assassination. The 53-year-old Jovenel was gunned down on 7 July 2021 at his private residence by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombians. His security detail did not intervene to protect him. In February, US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe told a new conference that underlying the attack on Jovenel was a lust for money and power. Lapointe said two managers of a Miami security firm, CTU, devised a plan to kidnap Moise and replace him with Christian Sanon, a Haitian-American citizen who wanted to become president of the Caribbean country. In exchange for toppling Moise, they were promised lucrative contracts to build infrastructure and provide security forces and military equipment in a future government led by Sanon, also indicted in the US, prosecutors said. The plot at first was aimed at kidnapping Moise, but then evolved to assassination, according to court filings. In Haiti a probe into the assassination has not led to anyone being put on trial. WITH AFP The post Haiti leader’s killer gets life sentence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Colombian gets life sentence in US over killing of Haiti’s president
A US court sentenced a retired Colombian military officer to life in prison for his role in the assassination of Haiti's president in 2021. The United States says it has jurisdiction in the case because it alleges the plot to kill President Jovenel Moise was hatched in part in the US. German Rivera, considered one of the leaders of the mercenary squad that shot and killed Moise in his residence outside Port au Prince, appeared before Judge Jose Martinez to hear the sentence. Rivera, a retired captain, pleaded guilty last month to taking part in the plan. On Friday, dressed in brown prison garb, with his feet and wrists bound, Rivera passed on an opportunity to address the court before the sentence was read out. He was the second person convicted in the United States over the assassination, which plunged Haiti -- already plagued by poverty, gang violence, natural disasters, epidemics, and a weak government -- further into crisis. In June, another member of the conspiracy, Haitian-Chilean Rodolphe Jaar, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for his role in supplying weapons to carry out the assassination. The 53-year-old Jovenel was gunned down on 7 July 2021 at his private residence by a hired group of about 20 military-trained Colombians. His security detail did not intervene to protect him. In February, US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe told a new conference that underlying the attack on Jovenel was a lust for money and power. Lapointe said two managers of a Miami security firm, CTU, devised a plan to kidnap Moise and replace him with Christian Sanon, a Haitian-American citizen who wanted to become president of the Caribbean country. In exchange for toppling Moise, they were promised lucrative contracts to build infrastructure and provide security forces and military equipment in a future government led by Sanon, also indicted in the United States, prosecutors said. The plot at first was aimed at kidnapping Moise, but then evolved to assassination, according to court filings. In Haiti a probe into the assassination has not led to anyone being put on trial. Haiti has spiraled into deeper chaos since Moise's death. No election has been held and he has not been succeeded. Gangs control around 80 percent of the Haitian capital, and violent crimes such as kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery and carjackings continue to escalate in the impoverished Caribbean nation. The post Colombian gets life sentence in US over killing of Haiti’s president appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Young stars shine at SM Little Stars 2023 Grand Finals
Representatives from SM City San Pablo and SM City Dasmarinas were hailed as boy and girl Grand Prize winners of the recently concluded SM Little Stars 2023 Grand Finals held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on 14 October 2023. [caption id="attachment_202093" align="aligncenter" width="935"] Grand Prize winners Aljon Christoff Banaira from SM City San Pablo (2nd from left) and Jourdanne Baldonido from SM City Dasmarinas (center) with, from left to right, 1st runner-up Eduardo Joson II from SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, 3rd runner-up Joachim Gale Olpindo from SM Center Muntinlupa, and 2nd runner-up Mara Hestia Caballero from SM City Cebu. Back row, left to right: National University Senior Director for Admissions Dr. Christina Corpuz, Goldilocks Bakeshop Head of Corporate Communications Ley Laksamana, Goldilocks Bakeshop Public Relations and Partnerships Associate Kyleth Paralejas, GMA Consulting Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Lawrence Tan, SM Supermalls’ Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Marketing Hanna Carinna Sy, and SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202094" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Grand Prize winners Aljon Christoff Banaira from SM City San Pablo (2nd from left) and Jourdanne Baldonido from SM City Dasmarinas (center) with, from left to right, 1st runner-up Eduardo Joson II from SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, 3rd runner-up Joachim Gale Olpindo from SM Center Muntinlupa, and 2nd runner-up Mara Hestia Caballero from SM City Cebu. Back row, left to right: Hosts Xian Lim and 2017 Girl Grand Winner Gaea Mischa, judges Teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy of G-Force, Direk Joey Reyes, Sam Concepcion, 2013 3rd runner-up Esang de Torres, and 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma[/caption] It was a night to remember for seven-year-olds Aljon Christoff Banaira and Jourdanne Baldonido, who emerged as winners among the 28 grand finalists in the competition. It was a fierce battle of talent, confidence, and personality, with every participant showcasing their skills in dancing, singing, acting, declaiming and playing instruments. With over P9 Million worth of prizes up for grabs, the two Grand Winners went home with a brand-new Suzuki S-presso Special Edition MT MC worth over P600,000, a one-year talent contract at Sparkle GMA Artist Center, a full college scholarship at National University, and a five-day and four-night trip for two to Hong Kong. Additional prizes include a total of P100,000 in cash and SM gift certificates (P50,000 in cash and P50,000 worth of SM gift certificates), P30,000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards, an annual pass certificate for unlimited bowling and skating valid for one year, 30 regular ride tickets at SM by the Bay Amusement Park / Sky Ranch, and gift vouchers for a two-night stay with breakfast for two at Radisson Blu Cebu. Completing the list of winners were SM Megacenter Cabanatuan's Eduardo Joson II (1st runner-up), SM City Cebu's Mara Hestia Caballero (2nd runner-up), SM Center Muntinlupa's Joachim Gale Olpindo (3rd runner-up), SM City Clark's Hayley Cairee Miclat (Top 6), SM City Masinag's Jayson De Paz, Jr. (Top 7), SM City Bicutan's Graciella Zahzih Flojo (Top 8), SM City Cebu's Karlyle Miguel Corbeta (Top 9), and SM City Batangas' Marrem Angel Martinez (Top 10). [caption id="attachment_202095" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202096" align="aligncenter" width="400"] 2013 3rd runner-up Esang de Torres[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202097" align="aligncenter" width="394"] SM City Clark’s Hayley Cairee Miclat[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202098" align="aligncenter" width="342"] SM City Masinag’s Jayson De Paz Jr.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202099" align="aligncenter" width="377"] SM City Bicutan’s Graciella Zahzih Flojo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202100" align="aligncenter" width="367"] SM City Cebu's Karlyle Miguel Corbeta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_202101" align="aligncenter" width="633"] SM City Batangas’ Marrem Angel Martinez[/caption] Now on its 14th year, the SM Little Stars is a celebration of young talent and a testament to the outstanding platform that SM provides for these budding stars. This year alone, the competition saw over 33,000 young individuals who shared their talents from 70 SM malls nationwide. [caption id="attachment_202102" align="aligncenter" width="1430"] The 28 grand finalists showcase their skills and talents.[/caption] To know more about SM Little Stars 2023, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM Supermalls on social media. .....»»
Melanie Martinez includes Manila in first Asia tour
American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez is taking her "Portals" tour to Asia, with the Philippines as one of the few select stops......»»
Argentina court acquits nuns of sex abuse
Two nuns and seven other female employees of an Argentine institute for deaf children were acquitted by a court Wednesday of sexual abuse and rape. The ruling, broadcast on public television, concluded a trial of two-and-a-half years in a case that has shocked the home country of Pope Francis. Two priests in charge of children at the Antonio Provolo center — Horacio Corbacho and Nicola Corradi — have been convicted and handed sentences of more than 40 years each for sexual abuse, including rape, of some 20 minors. The victims were aged four to 17 when the crimes were committed from 2004 to the closure of the institute in 2016. The institution’s gardener, Armando Gomez, has also been jailed for 18 years for sexual abuse, and a former altar boy pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of five children. Several staff were taken into custody after allegations of abuse first surfaced in 2016, and the institute was shut down. The latest case focused on the alleged abuse of 11 of the children. In the dock were Japanese nun Kumiko Kosaka and Paraguayan Asuncion Martinez, as well as a former cook, a psychologist, a legal representative and school director, and three other employees. Kosaka stood accused of aggravated sexual abuse and covering up the crimes, and Martinez of “corruption of minors,” among other alleged offenses. A panel of three judges on Wednesday acquitted Kosaka, Martinez, and all seven others. Ariel Lizarraga, father of one of the accusers, described the outcome as “total injustice.” The post Argentina court acquits nuns of sex abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jansen shooting: Police hunt carpenter accused of shooting neighbor during fistfight
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police here are hot on the trail of a 52-year-old carpenter accused of shooting a neighbor after getting hit with a stick during a fistfight in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City on Monday, October 16, 2023. They are also coordinating with the family of the alleged suspect to convince him to turn himself over to the authorities. This was according to Police Major Jonathan Bethooven Nifiel Taneo, chief of Mambaling Police Station, who spoke to CDN Digital in a phone interview. The shooting suspect was identified as 52-year-old Roger Tanduyan, a carpenter and a resident of Sitio Kanipaan, Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City. Tanduyan is accused of shooting his neighbor whom he got into a fight while in Jansen Street in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas around 8:40 a.m. on Monday. Taneo said that they are coordinating with the suspect’s family to convince him to surrender himself to the police. READ: Woman shot dead while doing laundry inside home in Cebu City “Nakipagcoordinate na ta sa iyang pamilya para, usa sa atong tumong is mapa-surrender. Aside ana, padayon atong pagpangita sa suspetsado kay allegedly, niadto man daw ni sa iyahang relatives,” he stated. He added that the hot-pursuit operation is ongoing to arrest Tanduyan who is allegedly hiding with some relatives. Taneo, however, chose not to divulge where the alleged suspect is believed to be hiding as the operation is ongoing. He also narrated that the shooting incident happened after the alleged suspect got into a fistfight with the victim whom he had been on bad terms with for a long time. The victim was identified as 64-year-old Joventer Margaha, jobless and a resident of Sitio Lusimba in the said barangay. The police report revealed that Margaha was standing in the area when he was suddenly approached by Tanduyan. The two then engaged in a fistfight which escalated after Margaha grabbed a wooden stick and hit Tanduyan with it. Tanduyan then drew a firearm of unknown caliber and shot the victim once, according to Taneo. Tanduyan allegedly shot the victim once on his back which caused the latter to fall to the ground. He then fled the crime scene. READ: Love triangle eyed as motive behind fatal shooting in Hipodromo The shooting incident was reported to the Mambaling Police Station by a concerned citizen minutes after. Responding officers along with personnel from the Barangay Peace and Safety.....»»
Ecuador probes AI-generated pornographic videos
Ecuadoran prosecutors launched an investigation on Thursday into the distribution of videos generated by artificial intelligence that showed sexual content using images of students. The probe was opened following "the dissemination of images and videos of students of an educational institution in Quito, modified using AI," the prosecutor's office said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The alleged perpetrators manipulated teenagers' pictures by superimposing their faces onto other people's naked bodies. Sybel Martinez of the anti-bullying program Grupo Rescate Escolar said that there were "approximately 700 videos of sexual and erotic content" involving images of between 20 and 24 students. Distributing child and adolescent pornography is punishable by up to 16 years in jail in Ecuador. The investigation follows an incident in Spain where AI-generated nudes of underage girls were distributed. The advent of AI has caused growing concern around the world that the technology can be used for malicious purposes such as the creation of so-called "deepfakes" -- computer-generated, often realistic images and video, based on a real template. About 96 percent of deepfake videos online are non-consensual pornography, and most of them depict women, according to a 2019 study by the Dutch AI company Sensity. The post Ecuador probes AI-generated pornographic videos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The Best-Dressed Support the Best Cause
The pink carpet was finally rolled out for the Philippine Cancer Society’s annual Best Dressed Women of the Philippines Awards Ball! We recently celebrated a milestone year for the event at 20 years. Or those are two decades of making a difference in the lives of so many of our kababayans! The impact of this event continues to grow every year, that’s why we continue to give it our full support. Take it from me — an Ambassador for Life for over a decade! So it’s no surprise the Grand Ballroom at Shangri-La The Fort was packed. Hundreds of exquisitely dressed ladies and gentlemen showed up to help the Philippine Cancer Society surpass its goals yet again. I could feel the good vibes in the air with everyone buzzing and happy to be there. It was the perfect atmosphere for the night. [caption id="attachment_193064" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nene Leonor[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193043" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Shilpa Tolani and Judith Tan.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193042" align="aligncenter" width="531"] Sheila Romero, Frannie Jacinto and Linda Ley.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193063" align="aligncenter" width="401"] Consul Helen Ong accepted the Legacy Award.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193067" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ramon Orlina, Richie Lerma and RJ Ledesma.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193045" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nini Licaros, Toots Tolentino, Thelma Sioson San Juan, Randy Ortiz, Henri Calayag and Tonichi Nocom.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193054" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Dra. Elsie Pascua and Ruby Chua.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193044" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tiffany Syson Cuña.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193062" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Lovelyn Segovia[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193065" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nikki Tang[/caption] All eyes were on the pink carpet, with a full program of ladies and gentlemen who presented their most attractive selves on the ramp, highlighted by a special auction of a new Orlina sculpture worth P2.4 Million. Congratulations to Bobby Alvarez for acquiring this piece! We were also welcomed with a speech by the queen of the BDWP, Tita Helen Ong herself. I will always be in awe of her dedication and commitment! [caption id="attachment_193068" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Patrick Cue, Jojo Silvestre and Paolo Cue.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193056" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Harold Co and Flora Chua.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193058" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Jacqueline Michelle Lim, Mags Cue and Carol Mercado.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193066" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ofelia Wadle and Bong Prada Lim.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193041" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Senator Dick Gordon and Mario Katigbak.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193057" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE columnist, Helen Ong, Bobby Alvarez and wife Claire.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193053" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Dana Silverio[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193051" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Cocoy Cordoba[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193052" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Crystal Jacinto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193047" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Aj Olpindo, Ces Rodriguez and Nini Licaros.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193048" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Atty. Salvador Panelo and Bo Muralla.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193049" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Caroline Galang Taojo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193050" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ching and Philip Cruz.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193059" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Jennifer Weigel and Anna Sia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_193061" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Katrina Ponce Enrile and Malou Martinez.[/caption] The spotlight was without a doubt on the men and women who strutted their stuff: The Men of Influence, which includes my wonderful hubby, Wopsy Zamora; this year's Best Dressed Women; and even the Ambassadors for Life. Yup, I got the chance to walk down the pink carpet, too! A few more conversations and picture taking galore, and just like that, it was time to go home. Happily, because the event was a resounding success. Again, congratulations to the people committed to this cause, from Tita Helen Ong and the organizing team, to this year’s awardees. And of course, everyone who attended and gave their full support. Cheers, everyone! See you all again next year. The post The Best-Dressed Support the Best Cause appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No idle hours at franchise-less but booming ABS-CBN
Content supplier ABS-CBN seems to be amply rewarding the stars and talents who have chosen to stay put with the company after it lost its broadcast franchise. The loyal ones are hardly without a project that keeps them busy and (hopefully) well-compensated for what they do best. These stars include Maricel Soriano, Angel Aquino, Kathryn Bernardo, Andrea Brillantes, JM Guzman, Belle Mariano and screen sweetheart Donnie Pangilinan, Chie Filomeno, Kaori Ozuma and Anthony Jennings. Actors, hosts, singers, record producers and comic talents who have stayed with the network remain “well-oiled” cogs in the ABS-CBN entertainment machine. With Cory Vidanes and Lauren Dyogi as the media company’s top honchos, as well as production divisions that conceptualize and execute projects from beginning to end (such as Dreamscape, JRB Creative Production, Project 8 and Rise), there are no idle hours in the ABS-CBN corporate offices and studios. There are also directors (such as FM Reyes, Emmanuel Palo, Richard Arellano and Jojo Saguin), creative managers (such as Carmi Raymundo and Jay Fernando) and musical scorers who get projects one after the other even if only on a contractual basis. Romantic leading men A change of mindset and attitude has occurred among the big stars. They have become really professional entertainment artists who have realized they don’t have to play lead roles all time. They remain adored and respected even when they portray vicious personalities who make life hard for the lead characters. They can then reemerge in their next projects as virtuous lead characters. Romantic leading men Ian Veneracion and JM de Guzman did contemptuous characters in the action series Iron Heart, topbilled by Richard Gutierrez, Jake Cuenca and Albert Martinez. The show is slated to end in two weeks (with major scenes shot in Japan though the series’ main setting is Cebu). De Guzman has just attended the media conference for the series Linlang (Deception), which he headlines along with Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu. A major supporting actor in the new series that begins airing on 5 October is Maricel Soriano, whose “special participation” in the afternoon series Pira-pirasong Paraiso started only a few weeks ago. Soriano portrays a well-off grandmother in Pira-piraso and Linlang. Linlang is helmed by FM Reyes, who directed the ongoing ABS-CBN and TV 5 co-produced afternoon series Nag-aapoy na Damdamin. The new series is a suspense-thriller that will stream exclusively on Prime Video, available in the Philippines and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Linlang has only 14 episodes, and new episodes drop every Thursday at midnight. Surely favorable to the finances of stars and talents is the invariably large cast of ABS-CBN series these days. For instance, Iron Heart features in major roles Albert Martinez, Dimples Romana, Christian Vasquez, Sofia Andres, and young actors Enzo Pineda, Louise Abuel (who is male) and Iggy Boy Flores. It has had as guest actors Maja Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Meryl Soriano, Maricel Laxa, Joem Bascon, Pepe Herrera, Roi Vinzon, Carmen Soo, Fabio Ide, Richard Quan, Ruby Ruiz, Anna Luna, Ruben Soriquez, Krystal Brimner, Cris Villanueva, Alex Medina, Anna Marin, child star Althea Ruedas, Al Tantay, Diether Ocampo, Karina Bautista, Victor Silayan, Kyle Echarri and Lou Yanong. The show also has four directors: Richard Arellano, Lester Pimentel Ong, Wang Yan Bin and Ian Loreños. As for Linlang, its support cast includes Karla Estrada, Jaime Fabregas, Raymond Bagatsing, Albie Casiño, Jake Ejercito, Heaven Peralejo, Adrian Lindayag, Race Matias, Benj Manalo, Lovely Abella, Frenchie Dy, Ross Pesigan, Hanna Lexie, Juno Advincula, Connie Virtucio, Lotlot Bustamante, Meann Espinosa, Danny Ramos, Bart Guingona, Vance Larena and Marc McMahon. Whew! Who said ABS-CBN was a goner with the loss of its franchise? The post No idle hours at franchise-less but booming ABS-CBN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Junior PGT staging earns praise from top young golfers
For Mona Sarines and Javi Bautista, being able to play in the ICTSI Junior PGT Series is a fresh impetus to their growth as players dreaming of becoming big someday......»»
SBMA officials in hot water
Subic Bay Freeport — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairperson and administrator Jonathan Tan on Friday ordered the suspension of Seaport department manager Jerome Martinez and consultant Rico Reyes after various brokers said that they were allegedly extorted for their shipments in Subic Bay Freeport. In a meeting with port users at the Boardroom of the Administration Building, Tan assured that the SBMA will conduct a thorough investigation on the matter and would ensure a swift decision on the two officials. He added that he does not tolerate illicit activities such as extortion, citing that the agency will weed out any unscrupulous officials and consultants. Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun backed the decision of Tan, urging other port users to come forward and reveal their experiences regarding extortion inside the Freeport. “These brokers complained that they were being extorted for money, that alone is a clear indication of the actions being done against them. They only want to work and earn their money,” Khonghun said. Regarding the P3.6-billion drugs that were intercepted in Pampanga, Tan said that it was a controlled release in coordination with the SBMA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Customs Port of Subic. The SBMA chief added that the controlled release is to apprehend those involved in the said shipment. “We are working with various agencies regarding the controlled release of the said drugs. The SBMA relinquishes the authority on the drugs and let the proper authorities handle the controlled release,” Tan said. The P3.6 billion worth of shabu was seized at a warehouse in Mexico on Wednesday and was intercepted by operatives from the BoC Port of Subic, NBI, the PDEA and the Department of Justice. Tan said that the 530 kilos of shabu is placed in mixed red tea bags and golden tea bags inside brown boxes. He added that the boxes also contained chicharon or dried fish. The post SBMA officials in hot water appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»