Wyoming officials refuse to return Balangiga bells
Wyoming officials have refused to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines as they are deemed “memorials” to the casualties of the Philippine-American War. In a statement, the all-Republican delegation comprising of U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, said, “These bells are memorials to American war dead and should…
Fil-Am community mourns the death of historian and author, Dawn Mabalon
THE Filipino-American community across the United States is mourning the death of Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, a community leader, professor, author, historian and mentor. Mabalon, 46, died on Friday, August 10 while on a family vacation in Kauai, Hawaii. She was an associate professor of history at San Francisco State University, specializing in Philippine and Filipino-American…
Ex-tourism chief claims ‘nothing illegal’ in PTV deal
Former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo denied all corruption allegations hurled at her regarding the 60 million-peso advertisement deal with PTV4 at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, August 14. “With confidence, I can say that there’s nothing illegal in the said contract,” Tulfo-Teo said. The former tourism secretary testified before the Senate Blue…
Fil-Am wins Gilroy Great Garlic Cook-off with his original lumpia wrap recipe
LUMPIA, one of the traditional Filipino dishes, took center stage when Fil-Am Will Simbol won the 2018 Great Garlic Cook-off at the 40th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival with his original recipe: Savory Crunchy Freshy Tangy Shrimpy Herby Garlic Lumpia Wrap. He beat out seven other finalists who came from all around the country. The eight…
First annual Travel, Trade and Consumer roadshow a resounding success
THE bustling SouthBay Pavilion Mall in Carson became the apex of the Filipino-American community last August 4 and 5 during the Travel, Trade and Consumer Roadshow (TTC). The event is the premiere foray of the Asian Journal into a more active effort to drive Filipino businesses into the forefront of U.S. enterprise. Project heads Cora…
Cayetano denies joint oil and gas exploration with China
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano denied on Tuesday, August 7, any oil and gas exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea. Cayetano said that the joint venture between the two countries will be “commercial” in nature. “It will be a commercial venture. I think that’s a smarter thing to do…
No new casinos – Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, August 8, that he would no longer allow the establishment of casinos “outside of what are existing” in the Philippines. Duterte amplified his disapproval of gambling activities during his speech at the 117th Police Service Anniversary Celebration in Camp. Crame, Quezon City. “I will not allow it. I hate…
Palace welcomes discourse on federalism bid
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Friday, August 10 said that the different perspectives concerning the shift to a federal government were part of the “continuing discourse” on the issue. “We view the differences of opinion on federalism as part of the continuing discourse, even among members of the president’s official family, which the chief…
Malacañang justifies Boracay island closure amid slow economic growth
WHILE it recognizes that some of the national government’s environment policies, such as stricter mining regulations and the six-month closure of top tourist destination Boracay island, likely played a role in the recent slow Philippine economic growth, Malacañang maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte’s decisions are for a more sustainable future for Filipinos. In a report…
Malacanang ‘cool’ on Mocha’s federalism video
FOLLOWING the viral federalism video of Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO)’s Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with Drew Olivar, officials were quick to comment on the said video. In a report from The Manila Times, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that President Rodrigo Duterte was ‘cool’ with the said video. Roque noted that the…
Arroyo to hasten Cha-Cha
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday, August 7, sought the urgent amendment of the 1987 Constitution as she called for the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene into a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss). In a report from The Manila Times, Arroyo filed House Resolution No. 2056 that pushes for the two chambers to…
National ID system gets mixed reactions from citizens, sectors
The national ID system garnered mixed reactions from the general public after President Rodrigo Duterte signed its implementation into law on Monday, August 6, at Malacanang. The law, otherwise known as the Republic Act of 11055 includes the establishment of the Philippine ID system (PhilSys), a centralized database that contains all the necessary and vital…
Sara won’t run for a national post – Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio,won’t seek a national position. “Ang anak ko, si Inday, I can tell you I know her. Hindi magtatakbo ‘yan ng national. Ganun lang ‘yan (My daughter, Inday. She won’t seek a national post. She’s just like that),” the president said. Duterte…
‘I cannot go to America’ – Duterte
Despite previous remarks stating a visit to the United States was dependent on scheduling, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he cannot go to the country because of the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines associated with his administration. “I cannot go to America, I am not sure America would be ready for that. The past Congress…
Philippines won’t extradite Janet Napoles to US yet
US jury indicts Napoles, kin for domestic, int’l money laundering FOLLOWING an indictment by a United States federal grand jury this week, Janet Lim-Napoles will not be extradited to the country while she faces trial in the Philippines. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday, August 2 said Napoles can only be extradited after her plunder…
