Archived News Headlines from November 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016
(Please note: some articles may have been removed by their respective publications)

ONE BIG FIGHT | Ateneo, UP, La Salle heads join forces vs Marcos burial at LNMB
MANILA - The heads of three of the country's biggest universities - Ateneo, La Salle and the University of the Philippines - closed ranks Wednesday in the call against the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

US Ambassador-designate arrives in Manila December 1
MANILA, Dec. 1 - U.S. Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines, Sung Kim, will arrive in Manila Thursday evening, December 1. Upon arrival, Ambassador Kim will give a statement to the press at the NAIA Terminal 1 Dignitaries Lounge.

Siklab Bayan rally holds Duterte accountable for Marcos burial at LNMB
MANILA - (UPDATED W/VIDEO) Thousands of protesters gathered Wednesday afternoon at the People Power Monument on EDSA to denounce the Nov. 18 transfer to the Libingan ng mga Bayani of the remains of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Next Philippine Development Plan to focus on long term aspirations of Filipinos
MANILA, Nov. 30 – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has started the crafting and consultations for the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, which is targeted to be released in early 2017.

Philippine economy posts 7.1 % GDP growth in 3rd quarter of 2016
MANILA, Dec. 1 - The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew year-on-year by 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016. This growth is driven by Manufacturing, Trade, and Real Estate, Renting and Other Business Activities.

Makati Business Club echoes call for appointing BSP chief Tetangco for 3rd term
MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Business Club (MBC) on Tuesday supported moves to allow a third term for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., whose reappointment will end in July 2017.

BIR at the frontline of 'ambitious' government agenda to boost growth, attack poverty
MANILA, Nov. 30 - Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has vowed to work closely with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as it takes on the noble task of ensuring the financial sustainability of the Duterte administration’s ambitious program ...

BOI-registered investments reach P28.5-B, up by 97% vs same period in 2015
MAKATI, Dec. 1 - Investments registered with the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) in November 2016 reached P28.5 Billion, up by 97 percent from only P14.4 Billion in the same month last year.

Opposing groups hang signs at People Power Monument
MANILA, Philippines -- Two groups, one calling for "Yes to Peace, No to Destabilization," the other protesting the burial of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, hung their streamers on opposite sides of the People Power Monument ...

President Duterte inaugurates mega drug rehabilitation center
MANILA, Nov. 30 - President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, November 29, as part of the administration's efforts ...  

11/27/2016

China considers 'wholesale' deal granting Philippines access to disputed shoal: adviser
BEIJING - China is considering a "wholesale" deal that will grant Philippine fishing vessels access to disputed Scarborough Shoal waters in the South China Sea, an influential Chinese academic and government adviser said on Friday, as relations between the two countries improve.

Palace reminds Ombudsman: 'President Duterte enjoys immunity'
MANILA, Nov. 27 (PNA) – Malacanang reminded the Office of the Ombudsman on Sunday that President Rodrigo Duterte enjoys immunity from suit. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar made this reaction after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ...

Mijares kin, other martial law victims, speak in Luneta rally vs Marcos
MANILA - The grandson of Primitivo Mijares, author of the "Conjugal Dictatorship" book that exposed the worst of the Marcos regime, joined relatives of other martial law victims at the #BlackFriday protest against the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

More jobs for persons with disabilities (PWDs) pushed in Senate
MANILA, Nov. 27 (PNA) -- A senator is pushing for a measure that provides persons with disabilities (PWDs) with jobs in both the public and private sector. Under Senate Bill No. 1249, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino to amend Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons to mandate government agencies to ensure that two percent of their employees comprise of PWDs.

Forex movements traced to ‘overreaction’ by fund managers
MANILA, Nov. 28 - This week’s overall weakening of Asian currencies vis-a-vis the dollar was an overreaction by fund managers to the prospects of higher US Federal Reserve rates this December, according to Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran.

Satur Ocampo to Duterte: 'Sa bayan, o sa Marcoses?'
This was the question of Martial Law survivor and former National Democratic Front peace negotiator Satur Ocampo thrown to President Rodrigo Duterte. NDF and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army is presently engaged in peace negotiations with the government over its decades-old insurgency.

Cardinal Quevedo condemns Catholic Church bombing in Sultan Kudarat
COTABATO CITY, Nov. 27 (PNA) -- Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo condemned on Sunday the bombing of a Catholic Church in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, calling it "pure terrorism."

Philippine government incurs lower budget deficit in October
MANILA, Nov. 28 - The national government incurred a fiscal deficit in October this year, but it was significantly lower compared to that of the same month a year ago, data from Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) revealed.

Air strikes vs Maute: 11 killed
CLOSE to a dozen terrorists mostly from the Maute group were killed over the weekend after government troops launched air strikes and shelled rebel positions near the Butig municipal hall starting Saturday morning. Fighting continued Sunday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to frustrate Maute Group –Palace
MANILA, Nov. 27 (PNA) – Malacanang said on Sunday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to frustrate the sinister objectives of the Maute Group which has long been professing allegiance to terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS.

11/25/2016

Ferdinand Marcos BURIAL | Former Con-Con delegates condemn 'shameless treachery'
MANILA - Ten surviving delegates of the 1987 Constitutional Convention that drafted a new charter after the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution issued a statement condemning the recent burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani of the remains of the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos, "in shameless treachery ...

PRRD says Philippines on track for unparalleled trajectory of growth
MANILA, Nov. 25 - A jubilant President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines is on an unparalleled trajectory of growth as he highlighted the gains of his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting in Peru.

Human rights advocates organize NETWORK AGAINST KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA - Activists and advocates of human rights on Wednesday organized themselves for the formation of Network Against Killings in the Philippines (NAKPhilippines) because, in their own words, "civil society needs to take a firmer, stronger and principled stand against extrajudicial killings and the continued erosion of universal human rights in the Philippines."

Dayan's provisional WPP begins on Tuesday -- DoJ chief
MANILA, Nov. 25 (PNA) -- The provisional coverage under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) given to Ronnie Dayan, the former driver, bodyguard and lover of former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima will start on Tuesday next week, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday.

Malacanang Palace asks Congress to expedite FOI bill passage
MANILA, Nov. 25 (PNA) – Malacanang urged Congress on Friday to expedite the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill following the official launching of the Executive department’s version of FOI.

EDITORIAL | Make them regret it
On the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, President Duterte is responsible and he will ultimately be proven wrong. But that is not to say that his allowing it was impeachable. It is not. It was political prerogative - a gamble, a gambit, maybe even a deal - exercised on legal footing.

Summit on Nov 28-29 hopes to revive manufacturing industry in the Philippines
MAKATI, Nov. 25 - The Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) in partnership with United States Assistance for Development (USAID) and the Japan for International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are bringing together partners and stakeholders in reviving the Philippine manufacturing industry ...

Gov’t prepares for Christmas season traffic; steps up anti-smuggling campaign
MANILA, Nov. 25 (PNA) -- Christmas is a still a month away, and already, at this time, the government is making preparations to counter the worsening traffic situation in the Metropolis which is expected to worsen during the Yuletide season.

‘No to slut-shaming’
VICE President Leni Robredo on Friday lashed out at Congress for harassing Senator Leila de Lima over her past affair with her ex-bodyguard and alleged bagman Ronnie Dayan. Some questions asked of Dayan during the House committee on justice hearing Thursday ...

Government eyes to eliminate endo by 2017, says Labor chief
MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- The government aims to end the labor contractualization and the highly controversial end-of-contract or endo scheme by the end of 2017 based on President Rodrigo Duterte's instruction, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

11/22/2016

STATEMENT | 7 years after Ampatuan: End impunity. Justice now!
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 marks the seventh year since gunmen slaughtered 58 persons, including 32 media workers, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. So far, none of the more than 190 persons accused of the mass murder, including 28 members of the Ampatuan clan who ruled Maguindanao at the time, has been convicted and the trial continues to proceed at an excruciatingly slow pace.

Dayan admits receiving drug money from Kerwin for De Lima
MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- Ronnie Dayan, former security aide of Sen. Leila de Lima, on Tuesday admitted receiving drug money from suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa back in 2014. In a press conference at the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening, Dayan said ...

Kerwin says he gave P8M to De Lima, senator declines to question him
MANILA, Philippines -- Alleged Visayan drug lord Kerwin Espinosa said he gave a person who introduced himself as a bodyguard and driver of then Justice Secretary Leila de Lima P8 million from August 2015 for her senatorial campaign.

Dayan confirms 7-year relationship with De Lima
MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa presented Ronnie Dayan, the former driver-bodyguard and alleged drug money bagman of former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima ...

DILG chief says arrest of Kerwin, Dayan a way to fast-track cases of narco pols
MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- The arrest of drug personalities Kerwin Espinosa and Ronnie Dayan is a way to fast-track investigation of cases against politicians allegedly involved in illegal drug trade, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno said on Tuesday.

Lacson: CIDG officers accused of killing Espinosa were on Kerwin's drug payola
MANILA - Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed amazement at finding out that the police officers accused of killing Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa were on the payola list of Kerwin Espinosa, the mayor's son, which tended to shed light on the possible motives surrounding the apparent rubout job.

Global currency volatility turns Mideast construction industry upside down
DUBAI, Nov. 23 (PNA/Xinhua) -- With the rise of the U.S. dollar and the relative decline of the euro and the Chinese currency yuan, producers of building materials and real estate maintenance, electrical and plumbing (MEP) face in the Middle East tailwinds and headwinds.

AMLC files money laundering charges vs. RCBC execs
MANILA, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- Six current and former officials of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) have been filed with money laundering charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Negros cop in trouble for joining sexual harassment of anti-Marcos burial protester
MANILA, Philippines -- A policeman assigned to Negros has been ordered investigated after he apparently joined the sexual harassment on social media of a young woman who protested the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

3 fishermen rescued off Samal Island
MANILA, Nov. 23 (PNA) -- Three fishermen floating for nine hours after their boat capsized off Samal Island were rescued by the Philippine Navy. Lt. James Reyes, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao public affairs officer, said the three fishermen were found and rescued ...

11/17/2016

Duterte mulls withdrawal from ICC,wants to be first in line if Russia, China establish 'new order'
MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is thinking of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, following the footsteps of Russia. And indicating once more a desire to distance the Philippines from the influence of the United States ...

Philippines still fastest growing among Asia's emerging economies with 7.1% growth in Q3 2016
MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- The Philippine economy remained the fastest growing among Asia's emerging economies after growing 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016, giving a strong boost to its growth prospects this year and next.

House sees bills for death penalty, lower age of criminal responsibility within the year
MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will approve the bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes and the bill lowering the age of criminal responsibility within the year, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday.

China mulls economic cooperation zone in the Philippines
BEIJING, Nov. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- China will explore the possibility of establishing an economic and trade cooperation zone in the Philippines as part of the two countries' efforts to advance bilateral ties, a Chinese official said Thursday.

Philippines’ capita per GDP to double in 10 years --economist
MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- The Philippines is projected to double its per capita gross domestic product (GDP) by 2026, IHS Global Insight Asia-Pacific Chief Economist Rajiv Biswas said. In an e-mail on Thursday, Biswas said the robust GDP growth of the country ...

Graft raps filed vs Makati Mayor Abby Binay for illegal online gambling
MANILA, Philippines -- An anti-corruption group filed graft charges against Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday. The graft case was in connection with the alleged rampant illegal online gambling in Makati City.

Philippines to invest substantially in space technology development --DOST chief
MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- The Philippine government will invest substantially in space technology development in the next 10 years, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena said on Thursday.

Manila creates 'super body' to decongest city traffic
MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- Manila’s city government on Thursday created a traffic “super body” that will monitor and strictly enforce all the traffic rules and regulations in the city’s major intersections.

Ombudsman Conchita Morales rebuked
JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and several lawmakers assailed Ombudsman Conchita Morales and her team of prosecutors for not investigating so-called “narco-politicians” and allowing the drug situation to worsen in the country.

NEDA Board approves New Nayong Pilipino PPP project
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 18 - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City Public Private Partnership (PPP) project after it was endorsed by the Investment Coordination Committee.

11/15/2016

Army: FM tomb about 60% complete
MANILA - The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday disclosed that work on the construction of the tomb at Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB0) where the remains of former president Ferdinand Edralin Marcos will be laid to rest, is almost complete.

₱5K earners to get unconditional cash transfers under DOF tax reform plan
MANILA, Nov. 16 - The poorest 50 percent of households earning P5,000 or less a month apiece will get unconditional cash transfers of up to P6,000 a year each in the initial phase of the tax reform program submitted last September by the Department of Finance (DOF) to the Congress.

‘TEMPERAMENTAL VS INCORRIGIBLE’ | Anti-Marcos ‘brats’ blast Andanar despite apology
MANILA, Philippines -- Lawmakers and victims of human rights abuses tagged “temperamental brats” by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar for opposing the burial of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, struck back Tuesday calling him “incorrigible” despite his apology.

Davao City remains on high alert as Christmas season nears
DAVAO CITY, November 15 (PIA) Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained the city’s security remains at heightened alert due to the continuous operation of the military and police in the provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi areas.

Robin Padilla gets back civil, political rights after Duterte grants him executive clemency
MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte has granted actor Robin Padilla executive clemency during their meeting at Malacanang Palace on Tuesday night. In an interview with Palace reporters, President Duterte said Padilla, who supported him in the last May elections, has suffered enough.

PPP Center says bid submission for regional prison facilities pushed to 2017
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 16 – The Public-Private Partnership Center said that the pre-qualified bidders will have more time to work on their bid proposals for the Regional Prison Facilities as the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) pushed the bid submission to April 27, 2017.

Leila’s lover was her driver: De Lima confirms affair with Dayan
SENATOR Leila de Lima on Monday night finally confirmed she had an affair with her former bodyguard and driver, but maintained she had never authorized him or anybody to collect money from drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison to bankroll her senatorial campaign.

Children’s Month celebration launched at the House of Representatives
The Child Rights Network (CRN), through its convenor, the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), launched the celebration of Children’s Month at the House of Representatives (HOR). The launch was done during the monthly flag ceremony of the HOR Secretariat on November 7, 2016, with the rousing and engaging speech of PLCPD Chair for HOR, Rep. Teddy Baguilat.

11/11/2016

Communist Party of the Philippines ‘advises’ Dutere not to push through with Marcos’ Libingan burial
MANILA, Philippines -- The Communist Party of the Philippines “advised” President Rodrigo Duterte not to push through with the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, saying it would be “an act of contempt against the Filipino people’s historic judgment' against the dictator.

Top cop’s Vegas trip stirs probe
THE Office of the Ombudsman is looking into the possible administrative culpability of Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa for accepting an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to watch Senator Manny Pacquiao’s bout with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, an official said Friday.

Ombudsman indicts ex-Army general, 8 others at Sandiganbayan
MANILA, Philippines -- The Office of the Ombudsman indicted a former commanding general of the Philippine Army and eight other officials before the Sandiganbayan for graft in connection with the questionable purchase of more than P5-million worth of military supplies in 2003.

Du30 eyes best of both worlds - Keeps US ties, but leans toward China
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte declared Friday that he would continue to shift the Philippines toward China despite Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. At an early morning briefing in Davao, Duterte said that while the US would remain a friend and ally ...

Celebrate volunteerism
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 -- Volunteering has been an integral part of the lives of people and communities all over the world. Individuals and institutions benefit from the valuable assistance of volunteer workers who share their knowledge, skills, time and resources ...

Sweeping reforms loom vs aliens in US
DONALD Trump won the presidency campaigning on a promise of a far-reaching immigration crackdown, and early indications are that he intends to execute it. The immigration section of Trump’s presidential transition website reaffirms his plans to “cancel unconstitutional executive orders” ...

Philippines Development Forum generates 'treasure trove' of proposals to push poverty reduction goal
DAVAO CITY, Nov. 12 -- This year’s Philippines Development Forum (PDF) has been a productive exchange of ideas that generated a wide range of practical and out-of-the-box proposals on “how to push the poverty alleviation effort” of the Duterte administration.

DAP facilitates Bureau of Plant Industry strategic planning workshop
PASIG CITY, Nov. 12 -- In fulfilling a commitment to provide responsive interventions, the Development Academy of the Philippines has helped the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to take the initial steps towards making itself a “better-performing institution.”

Congresswoman Jum Akbar of Basilan dies of cardiac arrest
MANILA, Philippines -- Basilan Representative Jum Akbar died of cardiac arrest Friday, Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas said. Akbar's remains will be flown from St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City in Taguig to her hometown in Isabela City in Basilan, where she will be buried within 24 hours.

First National Persons with Disabilities Summit calls for reforms of sector
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 -- Hosting the first ever Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Summit the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) aims t..o provide a more responsive and comprehensive service. The input and results of the discussions will be collated and synthesized.

11/09/2016

9-5 | Supreme Court OKs Marcos burial at Libingan
MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court en banc, voting nine to five with one abstention on Tuesday, has allowed the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. High court spokesman Theodore Te said those who voted to allow Marcos buried at the Libingan were ...

Congressman Baguilat disappointed, hopeful with SC ruling on Marcos burial
Ifugao Congressman and legitimate minority leader Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. expressed "extreme disappointment" over the Supreme Court ruling allowing the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Duterte says to stop quarrels with US after Trump win
KUALA LUMPUR - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte congratulated Donald Trump on his election win and said on Wednesday he now wishes to stop quarreling with ally the United States, recalling his anger at the Obama administration for criticizing him.

Reactivate your registration records, COMELEC urges deactivated voters
MANILA, Nov. 10 - The Commission on Elections is urging around 2 million deactivated voters to reactivate their registration records during the 5-month registration period from November 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017.

Government agencies, CSOs, support DepEd in fight against tobacco
PASIG CITY, November 10 – Together, officials from the Department of Health (DOH), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) namely ...

New Philippine ambassador says China is complying with arbitration ruling
MANILA, Philippines - By letting Philippine fishermen return to the disputed Scarborough Shoal, China is complying with an international arbitral ruling, just without acknowledging it, Manila's incoming ambassador to Beijing said on Tuesday.

Department of Agrarian Reform Farmer’s Business Center in Bohol showcases ARC products
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 10 - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Bohol and the Bohol Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities Cooperative (BFARCCO) recently opened the Provincial Agrarian Information and Marketing Center (P-AIMC) as the Farmer’s Business Center - “Market in the Park” ...

OPAPP sees simultaneous legislative work on Bangsamoro law, federalism
DAVAO CITY, Nov. 10 – The passage of a new Bangsamoro enabling law will move alongside efforts toward implementing a federal form of government to immediately address the historical injustices and end decades of armed conflict in Mindanao, said Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) ...

Digong Duterte: No to penalty vs 20 cops
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday there was nothing unusual in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and rejected punishment for the policemen involved in serving his arrest warrant and alleged shootout with him.

Department of Trade and Industry pushes for globalization of Philippine MSMEs
MAKATI CITY, Nov. 10 - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) and in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) ...  

11/05/2016

'NANLABAN?' | With video: Albuera Mayor Espinosa killed in Leyte jail
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed inside the cell at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail where he was detained after he allegedly fought back against police agents seeking to serve a search warrant for "illegal firearms" on him early Saturday morning.

Malacanang welcomes appointment of new US envoy to the Philippines
MANILA, Nov 5 (PNA) -- Malacañan official expressed optimism that the appointment of Sung Kim as the new United States Ambassador to the Philippines signals a desire from the Americans to foster a better cultural understanding between the US and the Philippines.

Indonesia's Widodo vows 'no compromise' on South China Sea
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said there will be "no compromise" to his country's sovereignty in the contested South China Sea, ahead of a visit to staunch US ally Australia. The comments come after Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, on Tuesday said the two countries were considering joint naval patrols in the contested waters.

Palace wishes Pacquiao, Donaire good luck
MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) – Malacanang on Saturday wished two Filipino boxers Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire good luck on their scheduled fights against two Mexican fighters on Sunday in Las Vegas.

OPAPP chief eyes better version of ceasefire during next round of peace talks
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PNA)-- Office of the Presidential Adviser On Peace Process (OPAPP) chief Sec. Jesus Dureza expressed optimism of a better ceasefire agreement between the government panel and that of the CPP-NPA-NDF during the next round of peace talks at Oslo, Norway possibly in January or earlier.

Philippine National Police also eyes rubout angle
THE Philippine National Police will investigate several angles in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, including the possibility that he was ordered slain to scare his son from revealing the contents of “blue book” on the narcotics trade and traffickers.

Gov’t officials eye local gun industry after US refusal to sell rifles for PNP
MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- After United States refusal on rifle selling for the Philippine National Police (PNP), Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno and Senator JV Ejercito eye to tap local gun industry as reversed supplier of firearms.

Secretary Sueno orders speedy probe into deaths of Espinosa, Yap
MANILA, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno on Saturday ordered a speedy investigation on the deaths of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and fellow inmate Raul Yap inside their detention cell in Leyte before dawn Saturday.

Vatican condemns Catholic radio station for calling quakes God's wrath for gay union law
The Vatican on Friday condemned a right-wing Catholic radio station that said a series of earthquakes that hit Italy in the past three months was "God's punishment" for the country approving same-sex civil unions.

Department of Energy drafts comprehensive energy plan
TAGUIG CITY, Nov. 6 -- The Department of Energy- Energy Policy and Planning Bureau (DOE-EPPB) is conducting a series of sectoral campaigns in line with the agency’s mandate to formulate a comprehensive energy plan.

11/03/2016

HUMAN Rights Watch warned Wednesday that two other US funding programs for the Philippine National Police worth a total of $41 million are at risk because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on illegal drugs.

Philippines to spend more on drug rehabilitation, gov't tells UN body
GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. 3 -- The Philippine government detailed to a United Nations (UN) committee its ongoing and planned programs as part of the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. “We must first recognize that there is popular support ...

Supreme Court ruling on Marcos burial: ‘Weather of the day’ or ‘climate of the era’?
After attending the first day of the International Association of Law School (IALS) Conference in San Francisco, I listened to Bloomberg’s Charlie Rose’s interview of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She said "the Court should not be influenced by the weather of the day but the climate of the era."

Peace-based storytelling session sparks hope in conflict-affected, underdeveloped communities
PASIG CITY, Nov. 3 -- Storytelling, which predates writing, has long been used in early societies as their means of passing tradition and beliefs from one generation to the next. Transformed into powerful narratives, storytelling aids in the cohesion of people’s identity and culture.

Scuttling of rifle sale clear warning on rights violations, says HRW but Reds blast US 'hypocrisy'
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE - 12:01 P.M.) The US’s aborted plan to sell 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police is a clear warning to President Rodrigo Duterte and PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa “that the bloodletting they have encouraged carries a cost,” Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

November 5 is world 'tsunami' awareness day
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 3 -- The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) joins the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day on 05 November ...

It will be a loss for US if firearms deal won't push through: Dela Rosa
MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Wednesday expressed his dismay if indeed reports were true that the United States State Department halted the contract of the PNP with an American firearm supplier for more than 27,000 M4 rifles.

Tourism chief's Japan visit bags new direct flight deal, stakeholders' support, investment commitments
MANILA, Nov. 3 -- After a fruitful three-day visit to Japan, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo has secured a new direct flight deal, investment commitments, and support from the biggest travel association in Japan.

11/01/2016

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' former president Fidel V. Ramos has quit his job as special envoy to China, aides said on Tuesday, but the government has yet to act on his resignation, weeks after the current Philippine leader visited Beijing.

Accessing the future: DepEd backs APEC Strategy for accessible education, training
PASIG CITY, Nov. 1 -- The Philippines has taken another vital step in tearing down the wall of job mismatch, which continues to impede the Filipinos’ access to employment opportunities that suit their competencies and the labor market’s demands.

US stops sale of 26,000 rifles to PNP but Ping Lacson says the Philippines loses 'one less gun store'
WASHINGTON/MANILA -- (UPDATE - 11:12 a.m.) The US State Department halted the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police after Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, Senate aides told Reuters on Monday.

Philippines seeks mutual interests with other nations
TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 1 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Wednesday (October 26) that the Philippines will honor its treaty obligations and agreements with other countries as long as mutual interests between countries converge.

AFP on alert for All Saints Day
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 1 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Ricardo R Visaya ordered all military units to intensify their intelligence monitoring and security operations in support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) ...

Du30, FVR differ on climate tack
THE Palace on Monday acknowledged the criticisms from former President Fidel V. Ramos, who has urged the Senate to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change because any further delays would make the country more vulnerable to typhoons.

EU ambassadors back 10-point socioeconomic agenda, express willingness to invest in the Philippines
MANILA, Nov. 1 - Fourteen ambassadors representing the member-countries of the European Union (EU) have expressed their continued support for the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda and bared plans to invest more in the Philippines ...

Palace urges public a clean, orderly, crime-free Undas
MANILA, Nov. 1 -- Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar urges the public to observe a clean, orderly, and crime-free All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day break. “As we remember our departed loved ones, we ask everyone to observe the solemnity of the occasion.

Coconut oil exports plunge 28%
Exports of coconut oil, the country’s top agricultural shipment, plunged 28 percent in the first nine months from a year ago, after the El Niño dry spell reduced harvest in coconut areas. United Coconut Association of the Philippines executive director Yvonne Agustin said ...

Baguilat calls on President Duterte to include IPs in peace, development efforts
Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has called on President Duterte to prioritize indigenous peoples in the crafting of the country’s development programs as well as the finalization of peace agreements with rebel groups.

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