Archived News Headlines from
July 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018 (Please note: some articles may have been removed by their respective
publications)
08/29/2018
Why Teresita de Castro’s appointment as Chief Justice is being criticized
The appointment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro is being criticized because she only has two-months left before retiring and because of her feud with her predecessor Maria Lourdes Sereno. Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo Party-list) questioned the appointment since de Castro will turn 70, the compulsory age of retirement, in October 2018.
Palace backs 'option' to extend martial law
MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday said it shares the view of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to extend martial law in Mindanao in the wake of the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that killed two people and injured 36 others. In a chance interview at the House of Representatives (HOR), Medialdea said extending martial law is an “option,” noting that the government could not “just sit around” and do nothing.
Why Ampatuan-Somama wedding has prominent government officials as sponsors
Filipinos decried the list of principal sponsors in the wedding of Zaldy Ampatuan’s daughter because of the large number of government officials invited. Last week, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan was allowed to leave his jail cell to attend Bai Nor Aila Kristina Ampatuan’s wedding to Mohammad Omar Somama.
Duterte not obliged to give in to Trillanes’ IQ test dare
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not obliged to give in to the challenge of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to take an IQ (intelligence quotient) test, Malacañang said on Tuesday. “Again the President is not obliged to give in to any demands of anyone,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
Lawyers’ group sues Rody before the International Criminal Court
A rights group and families of several drug war fatalities have filed a second complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings linked to his anti-drug campaign. Duterte committed murder over “the extrajudicial killings of thousands of Filipinos” and inhumane acts ...
08/21/2018
As Philippines’ Duterte starts to flag, his daughter reaches out to a Marcos
MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thinks political dynasties are bad. But the way the prevailing political winds are blowing, it looks like a dynasty of his own might be taking shape. Nine months away from mid-term elections that could determine the success or failure of his presidency, his daughter, Sara Duterte, is fast emerging as a power-broker ...
PRRD hits back at Joma: ‘You’re a discredited leader, freeloader’
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday described Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison as a “discredited leader” whom no one believes. Duterte made this remark after Sison said he has been in comatose since Sunday — a rumor dispelled by the President himself by going live on Facebook on Monday night.
U.S. to return colonization era church bells to the Philippines
MANILA – The United States will return to the Philippines church bells seized by U.S. troops as trophies during a war between the two countries more than a century ago, giving way to Manila after years of diplomatic pressure. U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has notified Congress that the department plans to return the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines ...
Gilas falls to China despite Clarkson’s hot debut
MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas came alive in the last quarter but fell short and eventually bowed to China, 80-82, in a classic encounter in the Asian Games men's basketball competition at the GBK Gymnasium in Jakarta on Tuesday night. Despite his endgame heroics, Stanley Pringle committed a huge turnover that sparked China's own comeback bid as Jordan Clarkson's impressive debut with Gilas went down the drain.
Arroyo hits back at critics, proves she really was sick
To prove to all doubting Thomases that she was really sick, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo showed her scars from several operations done in 2011 to correct a deformation in her neck. In a television show, Arroyo showed her scars to media to prove that her ailment was real, and it was a life-threatening condition.
08/18/2018
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author calls Heart Evangelista a modern Hepburn
Actress-model Heart Evangelista is a real-life “Crazy Rich Asian,” according to a popular novelist who featured her in US-based magazine Harper Bazaar this month. Kevin Kwan, author of best-selling novel “Crazy Rich Asians” that was made into film of the same name, described Heart as the possible “modern-day incarnation of Audrey Hepburn” when he first saw her.
The Philippines commits to rules-based system in the region
MANILA -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has assured a British minister that the Philippines is committed to maintaining a rules-based system in the region. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said this was relayed during Cayetano's meeting with British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field on Thursday. Field was in the country on August 15-17.
Why the arrest of 3 lawyers in a Makati bar is being criticized
A number of lawyers and legal groups have criticized the arrest of three lawyers inspecting a bar in Makati for alleged obstruction of justice after the three entered the premises of a crime scene to inspect and investigate. Lawyers Romulo Alarkon, Jan Vincent Soliven and Leni Rocha, who were inspecting Time Bar on Makati Avenue, were detained by Makati police on Thursday.
2 ‘big-time’ pushers nabbed, P230K ‘shabu’ seized in Zambo Norte
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two suspected big-time drug pushers were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said Saturday. Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Jason Villar alias Atabs, 25, and John Carmel Ajero alias Dodz, 25, both of Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte.
NAIA clears runway, 165 flights resume
A CHINESE plane that slid off the runway at Manila airport Thursday night has been removed from the muddy spot where it had been stuck for more than a day, officials said, allowing normal operations to resume on Saturday. Around 165 international and local flights were canceled on Friday and Saturday at the Philippine capital’s main airport after the plane’s bumpy landing ...
08/15/2018
Duterte says China wrong to police airspace over disputed sea
MANILA- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a rare rebuke of Beijing he wants China to rethink its conduct in the South China Sea and that it has no right to repel foreign aircraft and boats passing by its artificial islands in the disputed waterway. Duterte said he hoped China would “temper” its behavior and stop restricting movements, which could lead to a confrontation, possibly with treaty ally the United States.
Duterte won't give up presidency: senators
MANILA -- Senators believe that President Rodrigo Duterte's statement of intending to resign is merely his frustration over problems, particularly corruption, currently hounding the Philippine government. As someone who has known him since 1988, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Chief Executive is someone who does not have the word "surrender" in his vocabulary.
Driver-only ban on EDSA is bad news for working parents, small families
The Metro Manila Development Authority starts the dry run of banning driver-only vehicles on EDSA on Wednesday, August 15 but prior to that, there have been unfavorable reactions to the new regulation. MMDA has already spotted around 200 driver-only vehicles on the major highway as of 9:30 a.m., TV5 reported.
No other option to pick next president but VP: Drilon
MANILA-- There is no other option to select the next President of the Philippines aside from the assumption of the sitting vice president, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday. The explanation comes following musings from President Rodrigo Duterte on his readiness to step down if the likes of Senator Chiz Escudero and former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will succeed him.
Rody, GMA try to break impasse
President Rodrigo Duterte met with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Tuesday night to come up with a solution to an impasse over the proposed 2019 P3.757-trillion national budget. Deliberations on the budget were suspended after lawmakers demanded a return to the obligation-based budgeting system in lieu of a cash-based system that shortens the time agencies have to use funding for their projects.
08/13/2018
Planned return of Balangiga church bells is a remarkable development
The Balangiga Church bells taken as war booty by American troops during its war with the Philippines will finally be returned to the country it was taken from. Some hope that the gesture will ease memories of the dark chapter in the two eventual allies’ history. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recently announced his department’s plan to return the church bells ...
Lamitan militiamen pay ultimate sacrifice to prevent carnage
ZAMBOANGA CITY – It was Friday morning, July 31, when some 3,000 young schoolchildren marched around the city center of Lamitan, Basilan Province, to cap the Nutrition Month celebration. The children and their teachers had no idea that earlier in the day, roughly five kilometers from the parade venue, a car loaded with bombs was heading to the town center.
Some Filipinos are tired of ‘resiliency’ narrative during disasters
Online Filipinos called for an end of a so-called romanticization of resiliency during the rainy season as monsoon rains pummeled the metropolis over the weekend. Many voiced their opposition to the underscoring of Filipinos’ “resiliency” as floods covered the streets, complaining that the narrative was an undue substitute for assessing the capability of local government units ...
Duterte's Israel trip slated Sept. 2
MANILA-- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday announced President Rodrigo Duterte officially accepted the invitation of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the country from September 2 to 5, 2018. The official visit will be the first by a sitting Philippine President since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries 61 years ago in 1957, the DFA said in a statement.
Palace shocked as House blocks budget
Malacañang on Monday expressed alarm at the sudden decision by House leaders to suspend budget deliberations in a bid to get the Department of Budget and Management to back down on its cash-based budgeting system that lawmakers oppose. "It seems the situation has been reversed. We might no longer need a Minority Floor Leader because the ones in power in Congress are acting like the minority."
08/10/2018
Hollywood is now paying attention to Duterte’s drug war after ‘BuyBust’
Erik Matti’s hit action thriller “BuyBust” has been a massive hit since its premiere, but critics are raving about it not just for the acting and directing, but also its take on the Philippines’ drug war. After the film premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival in July 2018, positive reviews from prominent critics came in.
Avail of voluntary deportation, undocumented Pinoys in Malaysia told
MANILA-- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday urged thousands of undocumented Filipinos in Malaysia to avail the Malaysian government's voluntary deportation program which will lapse by the end of August 2018. The DFA estimates around 400,000 Filipinos have no legal immigration status in Malaysia.
New Supreme Court justice: Jose C. Reyes Jr.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr. as new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, vice Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. who reached his mandatory retirement age of 70 last August 8. Reyes will take his oath on Monday, August 13, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said in a text message to reporters.
National ID seen to curb criminality
MANILA -- Terrorists and criminals will soon have a hard time doing their illegal activities with the passage of the Philippine Identification System Act, a military spokesperson said Tuesday. "We believe it will promote a peaceful and secure environment where terrorists, criminals, and other unscrupulous individuals will have a difficulty coping to pursue their evil designs and nefarious activities ...
Why Manila needs to practice bicycle-sharing more than ever
BEIJING — Pollution and traffic congestion remains one of the most pressing concerns in urbanized regions like Manila, Beijing and Los Angeles. To solve this problem, countries have started to encourage people to use bicycles as a means of transportation, especially in short to mid-distance travel.
08/08/2018
Arroyo: Con-Ass takes priority even as senators hesitate
The House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments is now focused on convincing the Senate into convening Congress as a Constituent Assembly to begin amendments to the 1987 Constitution. This developed Wednesday after Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told the committee, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, to withhold deliberations on the proposed shift to federalism, and leave the matter to the future assembly or “Con-Ass.”
Duterte won't allow construction of new casinos
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he will not grant permit for the construction of new casinos. Duterte made this remark two days after he announced in a Cabinet meeting the firing of the entire board and management of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (NPFI) for leasing its property for a USD1.5 billion casino resort in Parañaque City.
Why Carlos Celdran was found guilty of ‘offending religious feelings’ but not Duterte
The Supreme Court has upheld the decision against tour guide and activist Carlos Celdran who was found guilty of “offending religious feelings,” but some are wondering why other more outspoken critics of the Catholic faith have yet to suffer the same fate. Celdran posted pictures of his copy of the decision convicting him. It's come to pass. My appeal in the Supreme Court has been denied ...
Bureau of Immigration (BI) to deport 3 foreigners with fake travel documents
MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has detained and lined up for deportation three foreigners arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week for using bogus documents. In a news release issued Monday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the foreigners will undergo deportation proceedings for possessing spurious travel papers, which they presented to immigration officers at the airport.
Fake warship photo in PTV report has led to sanctions on video editor
People’s Television assured that the video editor responsible for using a photoshopped image of a Navy warship in its story has been sanctioned. “Please be advised that the video editor responsible for downloading and using the said photos without proper verification has already been sanctioned,” the management of its show “Ulat Bayan” said in a statement.
08/03/2018
DOTr blames 2012 project over viral photo of PNR public toilet
A photo of a restroom at a Philippine National Railways station that shows three toilet bowls in one room without dividers went around social media, after which the Department of Transportation had a story to tell. The DOTr addressed inquiries over the viral photo on Facebook and said the structure was part of a project that was supposed to have been closed down.
Aquino, Cayetano clash over transparency in West Philippine Sea
MANILA-- Former president Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday clashed over the issue of transparency in the two administrations' dealings with China regarding the West Philippine Sea. Cayetano snapped back at Aquino and suggested the former chief executive's politics should be as "transparent" as his hair.
Sotto gets flak over ‘touchy touch’
Senate President Vicente Sotto III got flak Friday for his remarks about copping a feel—an idiom for touching someone in a sexual way without someone’s permission—during an interpellation in the chamber two days earlier on the proposed bill on Safe Spaces. Netizens rapped Sotto III, who turns 70 on Aug. 24, in regard to his remarks during interpellation about touching or doing—in the Tagalog lingo “hipo ...”
Six Filipinos Indicted for Domestic and International Money Laundering and Conspiracy for Multi-Year Bribery and Fraud Scheme
LOS ANGELES – A Filipino woman and her family members were indicted by a federal grand jury today for conspiring to funnel in and out of the United States approximately $20 million in Philippine public funds obtained through a multi-year bribery and fraud scheme. Charged in the indictment for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Domestic Money Laundering and International Money Laundering were ...
Despite mistakes, Mocha Uson being considered to educate public on federalism
Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is being considered to promote the federal charter on social media despite the many blunders she has made. Last January, Uson mistakenly described Mayon Volcano as being in Naga City, Camarines Sur instead of in the province of Albay, amid the volcano’s restlessness that time.
08/01/2018
Arroyo firms up control of House of Representatives
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya became the new majority leader Monday as the shakeup in the House of Representatives continued following the election last week of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Andaya replaces Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, who had earlier challenged the legitimacy of Arroyo’s election.
Supreme Court affirms indictment of ex-senator Estrada in PDAF scam
MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman, indicting former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada for plunder and graft in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam. “The Court, voting 6-4 with four taking no part, upheld the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause against petitioner Estrada ...”
Philippine police vow ‘surgical and chilling’ war on drugs, crime
Philippine police vowed on Monday to revamp and intensify a fight against crime and drugs, a week after President Rodrigo Duterte promised no letup in a bloody crackdown that has alarmed the international community. “Surgical and chilling will be the trademark of the reinvigorated anti-illegal drugs and anti-criminality campaign,” police chief Oscar Albayalde told a news conference.
‘Recalibrated’ drug war will be within rule of law: Palace
MANILA -- The “recalibrated” war on drugs will be relentless and chilling as President Rodrigo R. Duterte promised, but will properly observe the rule of law, Malacañang assured on Tuesday. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark in reaction to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde's statement that the police is "recalibrating" the drug war ...
DOTr reminds Filipinos to do the ‘Kiki Challenge’ responsibly
The Department of Transportation has issued a warning against Filipinos joining the viral street dance challenge for the obvious risks it poses to their lives. What started off as a fun dance challenge called “In My Feelings Challenge” or “Kiki Challenge” has became a safety issue to many countries who have joined the bandwagon.
07/31/2018
Philippine leader approves autonomy law for troubled Muslim region
MANILA- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday approved a long-awaited law to allow minority Muslims in the south to start moving towards self-rule by 2022, a bid to tackle extremism and defuse a half-century of separatist conflict. The green light is the culmination of a lengthy and rocky peace accord with separatists ...
Duterte leads destruction of P296-M smuggled luxury vehicles
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday spearheaded another destruction of contraband luxury vehicles and motorbikes to show his administration’s resolve to fight smuggling and corruption. Duterte, accompanied by Cagayan Economic Zone (CEZA) Administrator Raul Lambino, witnessed the condemnation of 68 contraband luxury vehicles worth PHP277 million and eight luxury motorbikes worth PHP19 million ...
PCOO’s Freedom (or lack) of Information draws flak anew
The Freedom of Information website run by the Presidential Communications Operations Office had some recent trouble knowing what to do with missing information. A complaint posted on Twitter went viral on Tuesday afternoon after it showed screenshots of the website listing the phrases “di ko alam” or “I don’t know” as the fax numbers of two agencies on its directory.
Duterte calls Joma Sison as having 'bankrupt mind'
SANTA ANA, Cagayan --- Calling communist leader Jose Maria Sison as having a “bankrupt mind,” President Rodrigo Duterte lambasted the Communist Party of the Philippines founder for reportedly pushing insurgents in the country to become "robots." In his Monday speech at the destruction of contraband luxury vehicles and motorbikes at the Port Irene ...
Filipinos remember Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil and Alice Guillermo
Filipinos remember the works of Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil and Alice Guillermo, two important female figures in art and journalism, after news of their passing spread on social media. Prominent art critic Guillermo succumbed in the morning of July 29 at 80 years old after a long battle with her illness. Nakpil, veteran historian-journalist passed the next day at 96 years old.
07/28/2018
Why women’s rights advocates don’t count Arroyo’s ascent to speakership
Not everyone agrees that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being the first female House speaker is something to be celebrated by women and the public. While such achievements of women are normally praised by feminists and women’s rights advocates for girl power, Arroyo’s ascent to the fourth highest position in the land was not welcome to those who point to political scandals associated with her nine-year presidency.
25th East Asian Seas Congress set in Nov with PRRD as guest of honor
MANILA -- As President Rodrigo Duterte has stressed his "non-negotiable" stance on environment protection, he has been invited as the guest of honor at an international congress slated in Iloilo in November for healthy oceans, people, and economies (HOPE) across East Asia.
Solon: Ruling party monolith cracking
The membership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan will soon be reduced drastically amid confusion over leadership following the separation of many members from party leaders, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who they expelled from the party, a House official said on Saturday.
Don't doubt Duterte’s sincerity to end war, NPA told
DAVAO CITY — Amid calls for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told the rebel group not to doubt the sincerity of President Rodrigo Duterte in ending the 50-year old armed conflict with the communist movement.
Filipino in Condé Nast Traveler’s video series called out for inaccurate representation
A Filipino chosen to represent the Philippines in a video project by international travel and lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler is being called out for inaccurately representing Filipino culture and traditions. Filipinos commented on the “Many People Many Places” web video series complaining about how the woman from the Philippines was not properly portraying local culture compared to how representatives from 70 countries did.
07/23/2018
Philippines can’t go to war with China, says Esperon
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Sunday the Philippines is incapable of waging war against China to assert its rights in the West Philippine Sea. He made his remark following the results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing 87 percent of adult Filipinos deemed it important for the Philippines to regain sovereignty over the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.
Drug war to be 'relentless': Duterte's SONA
MANILA -- “The war against illegal drugs is far from over.” President Rodrigo R. Duterte began his third and shortest State of the Nation Address (SONA), vowing that his administration's drug war will be “as relentless and chilling” as it was the day it began. “Let me begin by putting it bluntly: the war against illegal drugs is far from over.
Philippines could breach US sanctions if Russia arms deal proceeds
MANILA — The Philippines is at risk of breaching sanctions imposed by the United States if it proceeds with the purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm, a deal that could test its longtime security alliance with Washington. A senior Philippine general familiar with the deal said Manila had agreed in October last year to a 400 million peso ($7.48 million) purchase of 750 RPG-7B rocket propelled grenade launchers ...
SONA: LGUs urged to act vs. environmental decay
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to prevent environmental degradation in their areas like what happened to top tourist destination Boracay Island in Aklan province. "I urge LGUs to pro-actively enforce our laws and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and work," the President said in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
Bong Go’s ‘no go’ in 2019 similar to Duterte’s stance in 2015
In 2015, Go appears in this viral photo with then Davao City Mayor Duterte and daughter Sara. Duterte was filing for candidacy as
a reelectionist and said he would not run for president. For Bong Go, however, that "no" is a "go." Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, special aide to the president, has repeatedly told the public that he has no intention to run as a senator in 2019.
07/17/2018
Philippines, U.S. to start free trade talks in September
MANILA — The Philippines will begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United States in September, its ambassador to Washington said on Thursday, in a bid to expand market access for its agricultural products. Jose Manuel Romualdez told reporters the first round of talks will be held in Washington and would likely focus on labour, intellectual property and agriculture as Manila looks to boost exports to foreign markets.
Philippines, Malaysia pledge to work together for regional peace
MANILA -- The Philippines and Malaysia have both pledged to work closely together, bilaterally and at the ASEAN-level, to achieve shared aspirations of peace, progress, and security, Malacañang said on Monday. Malacañang made this statement after Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte and newly-elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad held a formal meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Most Filipinos oppose Charter change—poll
About two in every three Filipinos are against amending the Constitution at this time or shifting to a federal form of government, the latest Pulse Asia survey revealed Monday. In a survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 67 percent of the 1,800 respondents interviewed nationwide opposed changing the country’s charter immediately, 18 percent expressed support for Charter change, while the remaining 14 percent were undecided.
Palace backs bill making barangay officials regular gov’t employees
MANILA – With the proposal to shift the form of government to federalism now underway, Malacañang is optimistic that a bill seeking to make barangay
(village) officials regular government employees will be passed into
law. “We expect that it will be passed into law because it is important
that we should push federalism ...
Legal experts weigh in on the draft federal constitution
Members of the legal profession have sounded off as the draft federal constitution prepared by the Consultative Committee on charter change was finally made public and drafts have been delivered to the two chambers of congress so that discussions could begin.
07/14/2018
'Scrap term limits to end dynasties'
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Saturday batted for the lifting of term limits as a way to stop political dynasties, at the same time former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. hoped President Rodrigo Duterte would not extend his six-year term beyond 2022. Alvarez said the 1987 Constitution sets term limits for elected public officials, and thus encourages political dynasties.
Philippines hails UN-approved compact on safe migration
MANILA -- The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), hailed the United Nations’ approval of the final text of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), which seeks to promote safe migration and curb human trafficking. The text, which was approved at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, carries a "strong migrant protection mechanism ..."
Pacquiao plans ‘to finish the fight early’ vs Matthysse
KUALA LUMPUR — There was no beating around the bush for Manny Pacquiao as far as his plans against Lucas Matthysse on Sunday is concerned. Pacquiao said he doesn’t intend to go the distance with Matthysse, unlike 12 of his last 13 fights. Our plan is to move side-to-side, throw a lot of punches and of course, if given a chance, finish the fight early ...”
8 Muntinlupa cops relieved for alleged involvement in kidnapping
MANILA -- Eight members of the Anti-drug Enforcement Unit of the Muntinlupa City police have been relieved following their alleged involvement in a kidnap for ransom case. Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regional director, reported to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albalyalde Saturday ...
Rise of robots fuels slavery threat for Asian factory workers – analysts
LONDON — The rise of robots in manufacturing in Southeast Asia is likely to fuel modern slavery as workers who end up unemployed due to automation face abuses competing for a shrinking pool of low-paid jobs in a “race to the bottom”, analysts said on Thursday.
07/11/2018
Gunmen kill fourth Philippine local official in a week
MANILA — Two motorcycle-borne gunmen on Wednesday killed the vice mayor of a southern Philippine town, the fourth local official assassinated in a week, including one President Rodrigo Duterte said may have had links to illegal drugs. The attack took to 16 the number of mayors and vice mayors killed since Duterte unleashed his deadly anti-narcotics campaign when he came to power in 2016, media said.
Enemies behind ‘Philippines, Province of China’ banners: Palace
MANILA – Malacañang has found banners tagging the Philippines as province of China "absurd", saying enemies of the government are behind the red tarpaulins installed in some streets in Metro Manila. “I don’t think I should even comment. We don’t even know who hanged those tarpaulins,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during Thursday’s regular Palace media briefing.
Supreme Court defers ruling on Sereno admin case
The Supreme Court has deferred its decision on the administrative case it initiated against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for her public attacks against her colleagues at the height of quo warranto proceedings against her. The SC justices deliberated on the administrative case against Sereno during its en banc session on Tuesday but failed to come up with a decision due to a varying position on what penalty should be imposed against the ousted top magistrate.
Different bilateral, multilateral meetings on West Philippine Sea urged
MANILA-- The Philippines must consider several bilateral and multilateral meetings in handling the issue of its territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea aside from its dual talks with Beijing and the consultations within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an official said Thursday. The suggestion came as the country commemorated the 2nd anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration July 12 ruling.
Duterte wants to speed up federal shift, says Senate chief
President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his proposal to hasten the process for a shift to a federal form of government so that he could be replaced, Senate President Vicente Sotto said Thursday. Sotto also told a media briefing after Constitutional Commission chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, turned over to him the draft of the Federal Constitution.
07/09/2018
2019 senatorial race preview: Newer names enter Magic 12, political scions closing in
Pulse Asia has released another survey on the 2019 Senatorial elections. The new list reveals new names, big movers, and some projected powerhouses still far from inching into the coveted Magic 12. Pulse Asia has released a new survey on the projected participants in next year’s elections. Since it last survey conducted in March, the political parties have given a glimpse of their projected lineups for next year.
Duterte approves Federal charter except transitory provisions
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday has approved “in toto” or as a whole the draft Federal Constitution and will endorse it to the Congress, except for the transitory provisions which he wants amended. Ding Generoso, spokesperson of the Consultative Committee (Concom) tasked to draft the Federal Constitution, confirmed this a few hours after the President received the proposal allowing a shift to a federal system of government.
Duterte willing to cut term, wants transition leader
President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he instructed the Consultative Committee that is drafting a new constitution to include an elected transitional president following the adoption of a new federal charter. “I am willing to cut my term to be co-terminus with start of [the] transition period [which] the committee agreed,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque quoted the President as saying.
President Duterte agrees to halt remarks about church: Palace
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed not to talk about the Catholic Church after his one-on-one meeting with Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Romulo on Monday, according to Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque. “PRRD agreed to a moratorium on statements about the church after the meeting. It was a one-on-one meeting,” Roque said in a text message to Palace reporters.
When parents leave a 2-year-old child inside a car at Metrowalk
A video of a crying two-year-old child left inside an unattended car has sparked a conversation about unlawful acts against children. The video was initially shared on social media, where its uploader Jasper Pascual narrated that he saw the child inside a Toyota Fortuner that was parked beside his own car.
07/06/2018
The surprise federal constitution draft: What’s new, what’s next?
The Consultative Committee formed to craft what could be the Philippines’ new federal constitution has finally come up with an approved draft, and with no objection. Initial reports reveal a constitution that is almost alien compared to the one in use since 1987. Some however have questioned why the draft was released so abruptly and without transparency.
3rd SONA ‘reformatted’ to allow President Duterte to speak more freely
MANILA -- A three-part series of pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum kicked off on Friday as part of a "reformatted" 2018 SONA, a Palace official said. “For his third State of the Nation Address this 2018, we have reformatted this to allow the President to speak more freely on the matters that he would like to share to the people,” Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco said ...
The role Voltes V played in toppling Martial Law
A popular Japanese cartoon about a giant robot may have had a part in toppling a regime that lasted for more than 20 years. Artist Toym Imao has shared a short video showing his many artworks, some of which reveal how Voltes V is inseparable from the discussion on martial law and the regime of Ferdinand Marcos.
Foreign technology aid vital to infra projects: DPWH
MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has acknowledged the importance of the government’s foreign policy in the creation of multi-billion infrastructure undertakings, particularly inter-island linkage projects (IILP). During the first of the three-part series of pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum at the Philippine International Convention Center ...
Forex reserves fall to 6-year low
The country’s gross international reserves declined to a six-year low of $77.68 billion at the end of June, mainly due to the government’s payments of maturing foreign exchange obligations, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said Friday. The end-June reserves were lower by $1.52 billion from $79.202 billion a month ago.
07/03/2018
How an Australia-Philippines basketball match turned into a brawl
The aftermath of the massive bench-clearing brawl between the Gilas Pilipinas and the Australia Boomers in their Group B encounter in the 2018 FIBA World Cup qualifiers has only seen finger-pointing, more trash-talking and polarized fanbases. As the basketball world looks on, some are asking what set everything on fire.
May 2019 best date to hold plebiscite for federal Charter: Reynato Puno
MANILA -- Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno on Tuesday said that there is no timeline for a plebiscite on the draft Federal Constitution noting that it was for the Congress to decide, but the best time to hold it would be in May 2019. “We have no timeline. It’s up to Congress to deliberate on this draft Constitution,” Puno said in a chance interview on the sidelines ...
NBI agents fan out to dig into Mayor Halili murder
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation have been sent to Tanauan City, Batangas, to start a parallel investigation of the assassination of Mayor Antonio Halili, who was killed by a sniper during a flag ceremony at city hall Monday. “We are ready to assist the police in solving this case,” acting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.
Duterte signs law on national feeding program
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has formally signed a law institutionalizing a national feeding program for undernourished Filipino children in public schools. Duterte signed Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act (R.A 11037) last June 29, to address the problem of undernutrition among Filipino children in day care centers, kindergarten, and elementary.
Why religious slurs by top officials cannot be taken lightly
Rodrigo Duterte has insulted leaders, countries, causes and organizations, and most recently, believers of a key piece of Christian doctrine while slurring against God. Duterte’s supporters would be quick to dismiss the president’s latest comments as an expression of a personal choice about is his own religiosity, having said that he does not believe in any organized religion.
The appointment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro is being criticized because she only has two-months left before retiring and because of her feud with her predecessor Maria Lourdes Sereno. Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo Party-list) questioned the appointment since de Castro will turn 70, the compulsory age of retirement, in October 2018.
MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday said it shares the view of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to extend martial law in Mindanao in the wake of the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that killed two people and injured 36 others. In a chance interview at the House of Representatives (HOR), Medialdea said extending martial law is an “option,” noting that the government could not “just sit around” and do nothing.
Filipinos decried the list of principal sponsors in the wedding of Zaldy Ampatuan’s daughter because of the large number of government officials invited. Last week, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan was allowed to leave his jail cell to attend Bai Nor Aila Kristina Ampatuan’s wedding to Mohammad Omar Somama.
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not obliged to give in to the challenge of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to take an IQ (intelligence quotient) test, Malacañang said on Tuesday. “Again the President is not obliged to give in to any demands of anyone,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
A rights group and families of several drug war fatalities have filed a second complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings linked to his anti-drug campaign. Duterte committed murder over “the extrajudicial killings of thousands of Filipinos” and inhumane acts ...
MANILA — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thinks political dynasties are bad. But the way the prevailing political winds are blowing, it looks like a dynasty of his own might be taking shape. Nine months away from mid-term elections that could determine the success or failure of his presidency, his daughter, Sara Duterte, is fast emerging as a power-broker ...
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday described Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison as a “discredited leader” whom no one believes. Duterte made this remark after Sison said he has been in comatose since Sunday — a rumor dispelled by the President himself by going live on Facebook on Monday night.
MANILA – The United States will return to the Philippines church bells seized by U.S. troops as trophies during a war between the two countries more than a century ago, giving way to Manila after years of diplomatic pressure. U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has notified Congress that the department plans to return the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines ...
MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas came alive in the last quarter but fell short and eventually bowed to China, 80-82, in a classic encounter in the Asian Games men's basketball competition at the GBK Gymnasium in Jakarta on Tuesday night. Despite his endgame heroics, Stanley Pringle committed a huge turnover that sparked China's own comeback bid as Jordan Clarkson's impressive debut with Gilas went down the drain.
To prove to all doubting Thomases that she was really sick, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo showed her scars from several operations done in 2011 to correct a deformation in her neck. In a television show, Arroyo showed her scars to media to prove that her ailment was real, and it was a life-threatening condition.
Actress-model Heart Evangelista is a real-life “Crazy Rich Asian,” according to a popular novelist who featured her in US-based magazine Harper Bazaar this month. Kevin Kwan, author of best-selling novel “Crazy Rich Asians” that was made into film of the same name, described Heart as the possible “modern-day incarnation of Audrey Hepburn” when he first saw her.
A number of lawyers and legal groups have criticized the arrest of three lawyers inspecting a bar in Makati for alleged obstruction of justice after the three entered the premises of a crime scene to inspect and investigate. Lawyers Romulo Alarkon, Jan Vincent Soliven and Leni Rocha, who were inspecting Time Bar on Makati Avenue, were detained by Makati police on Thursday.
A CHINESE plane that slid off the runway at Manila airport Thursday night has been removed from the muddy spot where it had been stuck for more than a day, officials said, allowing normal operations to resume on Saturday. Around 165 international and local flights were canceled on Friday and Saturday at the Philippine capital’s main airport after the plane’s bumpy landing ...
MANILA- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a rare rebuke of Beijing he wants China to rethink its conduct in the South China Sea and that it has no right to repel foreign aircraft and boats passing by its artificial islands in the disputed waterway. Duterte said he hoped China would “temper” its behavior and stop restricting movements, which could lead to a confrontation, possibly with treaty ally the United States.
MANILA -- Senators believe that President Rodrigo Duterte's statement of intending to resign is merely his frustration over problems, particularly corruption, currently hounding the Philippine government. As someone who has known him since 1988, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Chief Executive is someone who does not have the word "surrender" in his vocabulary.
MANILA-- There is no other option to select the next President of the Philippines aside from the assumption of the sitting vice president, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday. The explanation comes following musings from President Rodrigo Duterte on his readiness to step down if the likes of Senator Chiz Escudero and former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will succeed him.
President Rodrigo Duterte met with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Tuesday night to come up with a solution to an impasse over the proposed 2019 P3.757-trillion national budget. Deliberations on the budget were suspended after lawmakers demanded a return to the obligation-based budgeting system in lieu of a cash-based system that shortens the time agencies have to use funding for their projects.
The Balangiga Church bells taken as war booty by American troops during its war with the Philippines will finally be returned to the country it was taken from. Some hope that the gesture will ease memories of the dark chapter in the two eventual allies’ history. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recently announced his department’s plan to return the church bells ...
ZAMBOANGA CITY – It was Friday morning, July 31, when some 3,000 young schoolchildren marched around the city center of Lamitan, Basilan Province, to cap the Nutrition Month celebration. The children and their teachers had no idea that earlier in the day, roughly five kilometers from the parade venue, a car loaded with bombs was heading to the town center.
Online Filipinos called for an end of a so-called romanticization of resiliency during the rainy season as monsoon rains pummeled the metropolis over the weekend. Many voiced their opposition to the underscoring of Filipinos’ “resiliency” as floods covered the streets, complaining that the narrative was an undue substitute for assessing the capability of local government units ...
Malacañang on Monday expressed alarm at the sudden decision by House leaders to suspend budget deliberations in a bid to get the Department of Budget and Management to back down on its cash-based budgeting system that lawmakers oppose. "It seems the situation has been reversed. We might no longer need a Minority Floor Leader because the ones in power in Congress are acting like the minority."
Erik Matti’s hit action thriller “BuyBust” has been a massive hit since its premiere, but critics are raving about it not just for the acting and directing, but also its take on the Philippines’ drug war. After the film premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival in July 2018, positive reviews from prominent critics came in.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes Jr. as new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, vice Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. who reached his mandatory retirement age of 70 last August 8. Reyes will take his oath on Monday, August 13, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said in a text message to reporters.
BEIJING — Pollution and traffic congestion remains one of the most pressing concerns in urbanized regions like Manila, Beijing and Los Angeles. To solve this problem, countries have started to encourage people to use bicycles as a means of transportation, especially in short to mid-distance travel.
The House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments is now focused on convincing the Senate into convening Congress as a Constituent Assembly to begin amendments to the 1987 Constitution. This developed Wednesday after Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told the committee, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, to withhold deliberations on the proposed shift to federalism, and leave the matter to the future assembly or “Con-Ass.”
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he will not grant permit for the construction of new casinos. Duterte made this remark two days after he announced in a Cabinet meeting the firing of the entire board and management of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (NPFI) for leasing its property for a USD1.5 billion casino resort in Parañaque City.
The Supreme Court has upheld the decision against tour guide and activist Carlos Celdran who was found guilty of “offending religious feelings,” but some are wondering why other more outspoken critics of the Catholic faith have yet to suffer the same fate. Celdran posted pictures of his copy of the decision convicting him. It's come to pass. My appeal in the Supreme Court has been denied ...
MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has detained and lined up for deportation three foreigners arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week for using bogus documents. In a news release issued Monday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the foreigners will undergo deportation proceedings for possessing spurious travel papers, which they presented to immigration officers at the airport.
People’s Television assured that the video editor responsible for using a photoshopped image of a Navy warship in its story has been sanctioned. “Please be advised that the video editor responsible for downloading and using the said photos without proper verification has already been sanctioned,” the management of its show “Ulat Bayan” said in a statement.
A photo of a restroom at a Philippine National Railways station that shows three toilet bowls in one room without dividers went around social media, after which the Department of Transportation had a story to tell. The DOTr addressed inquiries over the viral photo on Facebook and said the structure was part of a project that was supposed to have been closed down.
MANILA-- Former president Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday clashed over the issue of transparency in the two administrations' dealings with China regarding the West Philippine Sea. Cayetano snapped back at Aquino and suggested the former chief executive's politics should be as "transparent" as his hair.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III got flak Friday for his remarks about copping a feel—an idiom for touching someone in a sexual way without someone’s permission—during an interpellation in the chamber two days earlier on the proposed bill on Safe Spaces. Netizens rapped Sotto III, who turns 70 on Aug. 24, in regard to his remarks during interpellation about touching or doing—in the Tagalog lingo “hipo ...”
LOS ANGELES – A Filipino woman and her family members were indicted by a federal grand jury today for conspiring to funnel in and out of the United States approximately $20 million in Philippine public funds obtained through a multi-year bribery and fraud scheme. Charged in the indictment for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Domestic Money Laundering and International Money Laundering were ...
Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is being considered to promote the federal charter on social media despite the many blunders she has made. Last January, Uson mistakenly described Mayon Volcano as being in Naga City, Camarines Sur instead of in the province of Albay, amid the volcano’s restlessness that time.
MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman, indicting former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada for plunder and graft in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam. “The Court, voting 6-4 with four taking no part, upheld the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause against petitioner Estrada ...”
Philippine police vowed on Monday to revamp and intensify a fight against crime and drugs, a week after President Rodrigo Duterte promised no letup in a bloody crackdown that has alarmed the international community. “Surgical and chilling will be the trademark of the reinvigorated anti-illegal drugs and anti-criminality campaign,” police chief Oscar Albayalde told a news conference.
MANILA -- The “recalibrated” war on drugs will be relentless and chilling as President Rodrigo R. Duterte promised, but will properly observe the rule of law, Malacañang assured on Tuesday. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark in reaction to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde's statement that the police is "recalibrating" the drug war ...
The Department of Transportation has issued a warning against Filipinos joining the viral street dance challenge for the obvious risks it poses to their lives. What started off as a fun dance challenge called “In My Feelings Challenge” or “Kiki Challenge” has became a safety issue to many countries who have joined the bandwagon.
MANILA- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday approved a long-awaited law to allow minority Muslims in the south to start moving towards self-rule by 2022, a bid to tackle extremism and defuse a half-century of separatist conflict. The green light is the culmination of a lengthy and rocky peace accord with separatists ...
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday spearheaded another destruction of contraband luxury vehicles and motorbikes to show his administration’s resolve to fight smuggling and corruption. Duterte, accompanied by Cagayan Economic Zone (CEZA) Administrator Raul Lambino, witnessed the condemnation of 68 contraband luxury vehicles worth PHP277 million and eight luxury motorbikes worth PHP19 million ...
The Freedom of Information website run by the Presidential Communications Operations Office had some recent trouble knowing what to do with missing information. A complaint posted on Twitter went viral on Tuesday afternoon after it showed screenshots of the website listing the phrases “di ko alam” or “I don’t know” as the fax numbers of two agencies on its directory.
Filipinos remember the works of Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil and Alice Guillermo, two important female figures in art and journalism, after news of their passing spread on social media. Prominent art critic Guillermo succumbed in the morning of July 29 at 80 years old after a long battle with her illness. Nakpil, veteran historian-journalist passed the next day at 96 years old.
Not everyone agrees that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being the first female House speaker is something to be celebrated by women and the public. While such achievements of women are normally praised by feminists and women’s rights advocates for girl power, Arroyo’s ascent to the fourth highest position in the land was not welcome to those who point to political scandals associated with her nine-year presidency.
MANILA -- As President Rodrigo Duterte has stressed his "non-negotiable" stance on environment protection, he has been invited as the guest of honor at an international congress slated in Iloilo in November for healthy oceans, people, and economies (HOPE) across East Asia.
The membership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan will soon be reduced drastically amid confusion over leadership following the separation of many members from party leaders, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez who they expelled from the party, a House official said on Saturday.
DAVAO CITY — Amid calls for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told the rebel group not to doubt the sincerity of President Rodrigo Duterte in ending the 50-year old armed conflict with the communist movement.
A Filipino chosen to represent the Philippines in a video project by international travel and lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler is being called out for inaccurately representing Filipino culture and traditions. Filipinos commented on the “Many People Many Places” web video series complaining about how the woman from the Philippines was not properly portraying local culture compared to how representatives from 70 countries did.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Sunday the Philippines is incapable of waging war against China to assert its rights in the West Philippine Sea. He made his remark following the results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing 87 percent of adult Filipinos deemed it important for the Philippines to regain sovereignty over the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.
MANILA -- “The war against illegal drugs is far from over.” President Rodrigo R. Duterte began his third and shortest State of the Nation Address (SONA), vowing that his administration's drug war will be “as relentless and chilling” as it was the day it began. “Let me begin by putting it bluntly: the war against illegal drugs is far from over.
MANILA — The Philippines is at risk of breaching sanctions imposed by the United States if it proceeds with the purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm, a deal that could test its longtime security alliance with Washington. A senior Philippine general familiar with the deal said Manila had agreed in October last year to a 400 million peso ($7.48 million) purchase of 750 RPG-7B rocket propelled grenade launchers ...
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to prevent environmental degradation in their areas like what happened to top tourist destination Boracay Island in Aklan province. "I urge LGUs to pro-actively enforce our laws and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and work," the President said in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
In 2015, Go appears in this viral photo with then Davao City Mayor Duterte and daughter Sara. Duterte was filing for candidacy as
a reelectionist and said he would not run for president. For Bong Go, however, that "no" is a "go." Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, special aide to the president, has repeatedly told the public that he has no intention to run as a senator in 2019.
MANILA — The Philippines will begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United States in September, its ambassador to Washington said on Thursday, in a bid to expand market access for its agricultural products. Jose Manuel Romualdez told reporters the first round of talks will be held in Washington and would likely focus on labour, intellectual property and agriculture as Manila looks to boost exports to foreign markets.
MANILA -- The Philippines and Malaysia have both pledged to work closely together, bilaterally and at the ASEAN-level, to achieve shared aspirations of peace, progress, and security, Malacañang said on Monday. Malacañang made this statement after Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte and newly-elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad held a formal meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
About two in every three Filipinos are against amending the Constitution at this time or shifting to a federal form of government, the latest Pulse Asia survey revealed Monday. In a survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 67 percent of the 1,800 respondents interviewed nationwide opposed changing the country’s charter immediately, 18 percent expressed support for Charter change, while the remaining 14 percent were undecided.
MANILA – With the proposal to shift the form of government to federalism now underway, Malacañang is optimistic that a bill seeking to make barangay
(village) officials regular government employees will be passed into
law. “We expect that it will be passed into law because it is important
that we should push federalism ...
Members of the legal profession have sounded off as the draft federal constitution prepared by the Consultative Committee on charter change was finally made public and drafts have been delivered to the two chambers of congress so that discussions could begin.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Saturday batted for the lifting of term limits as a way to stop political dynasties, at the same time former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. hoped President Rodrigo Duterte would not extend his six-year term beyond 2022. Alvarez said the 1987 Constitution sets term limits for elected public officials, and thus encourages political dynasties.
KUALA LUMPUR — There was no beating around the bush for Manny Pacquiao as far as his plans against Lucas Matthysse on Sunday is concerned. Pacquiao said he doesn’t intend to go the distance with Matthysse, unlike 12 of his last 13 fights. Our plan is to move side-to-side, throw a lot of punches and of course, if given a chance, finish the fight early ...”
LONDON — The rise of robots in manufacturing in Southeast Asia is likely to fuel modern slavery as workers who end up unemployed due to automation face abuses competing for a shrinking pool of low-paid jobs in a “race to the bottom”, analysts said on Thursday.
MANILA — Two motorcycle-borne gunmen on Wednesday killed the vice mayor of a southern Philippine town, the fourth local official assassinated in a week, including one President Rodrigo Duterte said may have had links to illegal drugs. The attack took to 16 the number of mayors and vice mayors killed since Duterte unleashed his deadly anti-narcotics campaign when he came to power in 2016, media said.
MANILA – Malacañang has found banners tagging the Philippines as province of China "absurd", saying enemies of the government are behind the red tarpaulins installed in some streets in Metro Manila. “I don’t think I should even comment. We don’t even know who hanged those tarpaulins,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during Thursday’s regular Palace media briefing.
The Supreme Court has deferred its decision on the administrative case it initiated against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for her public attacks against her colleagues at the height of quo warranto proceedings against her. The SC justices deliberated on the administrative case against Sereno during its en banc session on Tuesday but failed to come up with a decision due to a varying position on what penalty should be imposed against the ousted top magistrate.
President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his proposal to hasten the process for a shift to a federal form of government so that he could be replaced, Senate President Vicente Sotto said Thursday. Sotto also told a media briefing after Constitutional Commission chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, turned over to him the draft of the Federal Constitution.
Pulse Asia has released another survey on the 2019 Senatorial elections. The new list reveals new names, big movers, and some projected powerhouses still far from inching into the coveted Magic 12. Pulse Asia has released a new survey on the projected participants in next year’s elections. Since it last survey conducted in March, the political parties have given a glimpse of their projected lineups for next year.
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday has approved “in toto” or as a whole the draft Federal Constitution and will endorse it to the Congress, except for the transitory provisions which he wants amended. Ding Generoso, spokesperson of the Consultative Committee (Concom) tasked to draft the Federal Constitution, confirmed this a few hours after the President received the proposal allowing a shift to a federal system of government.
President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he instructed the Consultative Committee that is drafting a new constitution to include an elected transitional president following the adoption of a new federal charter. “I am willing to cut my term to be co-terminus with start of [the] transition period [which] the committee agreed,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque quoted the President as saying.
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed not to talk about the Catholic Church after his one-on-one meeting with Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Romulo on Monday, according to Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque. “PRRD agreed to a moratorium on statements about the church after the meeting. It was a one-on-one meeting,” Roque said in a text message to Palace reporters.
A video of a crying two-year-old child left inside an unattended car has sparked a conversation about unlawful acts against children. The video was initially shared on social media, where its uploader Jasper Pascual narrated that he saw the child inside a Toyota Fortuner that was parked beside his own car.
The Consultative Committee formed to craft what could be the Philippines’ new federal constitution has finally come up with an approved draft, and with no objection. Initial reports reveal a constitution that is almost alien compared to the one in use since 1987. Some however have questioned why the draft was released so abruptly and without transparency.
A popular Japanese cartoon about a giant robot may have had a part in toppling a regime that lasted for more than 20 years. Artist Toym Imao has shared a short video showing his many artworks, some of which reveal how Voltes V is inseparable from the discussion on martial law and the regime of Ferdinand Marcos.
The country’s gross international reserves declined to a six-year low of $77.68 billion at the end of June, mainly due to the government’s payments of maturing foreign exchange obligations, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said Friday. The end-June reserves were lower by $1.52 billion from $79.202 billion a month ago.
The aftermath of the massive bench-clearing brawl between the Gilas Pilipinas and the Australia Boomers in their Group B encounter in the 2018 FIBA World Cup qualifiers has only seen finger-pointing, more trash-talking and polarized fanbases. As the basketball world looks on, some are asking what set everything on fire.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation have been sent to Tanauan City, Batangas, to start a parallel investigation of the assassination of Mayor Antonio Halili, who was killed by a sniper during a flag ceremony at city hall Monday. “We are ready to assist the police in solving this case,” acting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.
Rodrigo Duterte has insulted leaders, countries, causes and organizations, and most recently, believers of a key piece of Christian doctrine while slurring against God. Duterte’s supporters would be quick to dismiss the president’s latest comments as an expression of a personal choice about is his own religiosity, having said that he does not believe in any organized religion.
