Duterte fires housing secretary general over corruption allegations
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, November 22 fired Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) secretary-general Falconi Millar for alleged corruption in the rehabilitation of war-ravaged Marawi City. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the dismissal of Millar was done to implement the administration’s anti-corruption drive. “There are no sacred cows in the administration,…
Philadelphia gets a ‘Taste of the Philippines’ in culinary festival
NEW YORK — A bigger and more bustling “Taste of the Philippines” returned to the iconic Reading Terminal Market for the second year last 11 November, showcasing the best of Filipino cuisine in the iconic food hall in the center of downtown Philadelphia. Organized by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce-Pennsylvania and South New Jersey,…
‘Feel Pinas’ parol-making workshop kicks off Fil-Am Christmas season in New York
NEW YORK — The Philippine Consulate General New York, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism in New York and the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, organized a Parol-Making Workshop on November 17 at the Philippine Center. Attended by children and their families and Fil-Ams who have long been staying in the…
China, PH sign 29 deals
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, November 20, signed 29 agreements signifying a “milestone in the history of exchange” between the two countries. “Thanks to our joint efforts, we have made productive the results in cooperation in all areas bringing benefits to our two peoples and making a contribution to…
Andaya: No pork in 2019 budget
House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. denied the alleged pork insertions by the House of Representatives (HOR) members on Tuesday, November 21 as he noted that those were just some “very unusual” belated orders. Andaya said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and certain Cabinet members only had late requests as they pushed for the passage…
Duterte urged to stand by WPS ruling
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was urged by his critics on Tuesday, November 20 to defend the country’s claim and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said that the president must not put aside the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as he cited the Social…
Chinese President Xi visits Manila, declares friendship with PH
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, November 20, for a two-day state visit to address the issues that tie the two countries together including the West Philippine Sea rift. As Xi arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, he was welcomed by Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos…
‘Filipinos trust US most, China least’
The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed on Tuesday, November 20, that among five specific countries, Filipinos’ public trust rating fared highest for the United States and lowest for China. The public trust rating for the five countries namely the U.S., China, Japan, Malaysia and Israel were all measured in September. A “very…
Fil-Am Gina Ortiz Jones concedes in close House race
AFTER a tight race, Gina Ortiz Jones, Filipina-American congressional candidate for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, conceded on Monday, November 19 to Republican incumbent Will Hurd. Nearly two weeks after Election Day, Ortiz Jones hoped to flip the seat blue, but trailed behind two-time incumbent Hurd by 1,150 votes out of the 209,000 cast. “I remain…
NDF, peace panel cancel return to PH due to arrest threat
National Democratic Front (NDF) Peace Panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili, NDF Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni and Peace Panel member Coni Ledesma canceled their scheduled return to the Philippines due to the impending arrest threat from President Rodrigo Duterte. Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Founding chairman Jose Maria Sison shared on the NDF website about how…
Fil-Am recognized for perfect ACT score
A Filipino-American high schooler in Carson, California was recently recognized for earning a top score on the ACT college entrance exam. Gerrick T. Cardenas, a senior at Bishop Montgomery High School, earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36. On average, only around one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn…
50 more establishments in violation of easement policy in El Nido
The municipal government of El Nido on Thursday, November 15, announced that a total of 50 more tourism establishments are now facing closure for violating the three-meter coastal easement policy in the town. El Nido town administrator RJ de la Calzada said that the establishments that violated the environmental rules have been given a two-week…
US officially announces the return of Balangiga bells
AS a move to establish closer ties with the Philippines, United States Defense Secretary James Mattis on Thursday, November 15, decided to return the Balangiga bells that were taken as war booty over a century ago. “In returning the Bells of Balangiga to our ally and our friend the Philippines, we pick up our generation’s…
Popular makeup artist Pony holds Shiseido masterclass
Pony, one of the most influence makeup artists and beauty influencers in the world, was recently in Los Angeles with Shiseido for a masterclass showing looks that can be done with the line’s new makeup. Earlier this fall, Shiseido launched a new makeup collection worldwide featuring 21 products and 124 shades, like gels, dews, inks,…
‘Imelda Marcos not exempt from arrest’
Former first lady Imelda Marcos, widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is not exempt from being arrested and jailed despite her advanced age, various lawmakers said on Tuesday, November 13. According to them, the police should enforce any order from the court to take her into custody after she was sentenced by the Sandiganbayan to up…