While the world is still reeling over two important and exciting events which happened recently—the matrimonial union of Britain’s Prince William and now Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and the beatification of Pope John Paul II—yet another significant incident ensued to cap the public’s elation over the weekend. Osama bin Laden is dead—and the entire…
THE White House’s release of a certified copy of Pres. Barack Hussein Obama’s more detailed, long-form birth certificate on April 27 finally puts the protracted birther controversy, which started during his campaign trail for the presidency, to rest. The details of the original birth certificate verified that Pres. Obama was born in Hawaii, to an…
DESPITE the August 23, 2010 hostage drama incident which left 8 Hong Kong nationals dead, the Philippines is still optimistic that it will be able to double the number of tourist arrivals in the country – from 3 million to 6 million by 2016. This was what the country conveyed to China through the efforts…
True to its commitment to help the Philippines towards economic progress, Japanese Ambassador to Manila, Makoto Katsura, recently said in his speech during the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan at Mt. Samat, Bataan, that the Japanese government will still continue to provide developmental assistance to the country, particularly in Mindanao, amid the disorder brought about…
SO far the recent performance of the local economy appear resilient according to the recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF retained The Philippine economic growth forecast at 5 percent for 2011 and 2012, after taking into account the potential impact of both favorable and unfavorable factors. In its latest forecast, IMF also…
WITH the Willie Revillame-Jan-Jan issue and a lot of bad news hogging the headlines lately, it would be good for everyone’s morale to take a nice, quick break – away from all the negativity to focus on the good, but lesser-noticed success stories. Recently, two inspiring, intelligent and achieving young people – both from the…
WHILE the entire world watches and continues to hope and pray, that the seemingly unending chain reaction of problems in Japan’s tsunami-ravaged nuclear power complex will finally be put to a grinding halt – it is also time for us to stop, think and do a reality check on the imminent danger and effects that…
Armed with the intention to ultimately halt the corruption that has stained the reputation of some of its innocent members, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. has recently expressed its willingness to help the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the allegation of corruption within the AFP. Mabanta…
The RA. No. 8042, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, provides that the State shall, at all times, uphold the dignity of its citizens whether in country or overseas, “continuously monitor international conventions, adopt/be signatory to and ratify those that guarantee protection…
AFTER 14 months of absence, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has finally emerged from hiding, following the clearing of charges against him by the Court of Appeals. Two days after his return, Sen. Lacson lamented his grievances against the government and said that at some point while he was regarded as a fugitive, he had the…
WITH the recent announcement of PAGASA that it is officially summer in the Philippines, it almost became a go signal for students who are on summer vacation to head down to the beach or unwind in the cool mountains with their friends and family. For the Department of Education (DepEd), however, the coming school year…
DESPITE the Philippine government’s efforts and appropriated contingency funds for repatriation, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Libya have given Aquino’s administration the cold shoulder on their last call and have vehemently decided to stay put in war-stricken Libya. According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), only a few of the estimated 3,500 Pinoys…
Despite the nuclear crisis in Japan, and the rising conflict between Libya and other countries, President Aquino still have reasons to smile through the hardships encountered by his administration. He recently learned that majority of Filipinos still trust him as shown in the latest Pulse Asia Survey from Feb 24 to March 6. Pulse Asia’s…
JUST last month the world was left in shock when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand killing at least 65 people. The event was deemed as New Zealand’s darkest day. Then on March 11, terrible news was once again brought upon us when a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan at around 2:46pm. It…
SEARCH and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, which devastated Northeastern Japan on March 11, are still in full force. But as the week progresses, the chances of finding more survivors become less likely. And it feels as though nature’s wrath wasn’t enough. Japan is on the verge of…
150 VOTES from the 283 members of the House of Representatives was more than enough affirmation to proceed with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s impeachment. The House justice committee only needed was 94 votes to be able to elevate the case for deliberations in a plenary session and for a possible trial in the Senate. This was…
WITH economic progress of the country on his mind, President Benigno Aquino III recently launched the first five infrastructure projects of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) last March 7 in Makati City, before setting off to Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore for his state visits. Estimated at $1 billion, the ten big ticket projects under the PPP…
WHILE most US markets are slowly but surely easing their way out from the global economic hardship, Filipinos remain optimistic on the chances of retrieving the passage of the US Bill H.R. 3039 dubbed as the “Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act.” The United States and the Philippines have shared a long and rich history together….
ACCORDING to presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte, PNoy was not on the warpath when he made admonitions to the Marcoses during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of EDSA 1 last week. He was simply “trying to set the record straight regarding the events which toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed his late mother Pres….
THIS year, the commemoration of EDSA 1 holds more meaning, not just for celebrating its 25th year, but also because of its special significance to the global community at large – particularly in Middle Eastern countries, where citizens are presently fighting against a tyrannical rule, to rightfully claim their democracies. In the Philippines, key personalities…
Last Saturday night, February 19, Filipinos who gathered to support the “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, left the building with proud smiles on their faces as they recall how their kababayan, Donaire, sent the Mexican fighter, Fernando Montiel, crumpling on the canvas via a powerful knockout….
IN THE midst of the unfolding drama among the living (known as military corruption), the dead have their own sub-plot of brewing conflict. It’s enough to make former AFP Chief of Staff Angie Reyes stir in his grave. After all, it was his controversial hero’s burial, replete with full military honors, which revived another disputable…
A LONG term partner of the Philippines especially when it comes to financial support, the World Bank continues to assist local government agencies and dynamic sectors with hopes in improving the lives of the Filipino citizens and help in bringing fiscal stability to the country, among others. As a part of their commitment, the World…
“TIME is a great healer. Through the years, the burning flame has subsided into embers that glow bright every time they are fanned by the winds of poignant memories. We learn to live with our hurt and try to make the most of what is with us. Life must go on.” – Quote on Purificacion…
Triggered by the contentious plea bargain agreement made between ex-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the series of investigations which ensued after — involving former high-ranking officers in the AFP and their alleged send-off monies and kickbacks — yet another brave soul emerges to…
Following the bungled rescue operations of last year’s hostage taking that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists, local journalists in Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (CALABARZON) recently signed last Feb. 1 the protocol on crisis coverage set by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the area. Samuel Pagdillao, CALABARZON police director and Chief Superintendent, said in…
2011 appears to be a robust year for the Philippines. As 2011 began, the country is poised for its strongest year of economic growth in 24 years. Signs of economic growth have been evident in the past year and the beginning of this year. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace since the 1986…
FTER speculations circulated that he has gone into hiding, former military comptroller Carlos Garcia made an appearance at the House of Representatives on January 25 for a congressional inquiry to investigate the controversial plea bargain agreement made between Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. However, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was a no-show at the…
INFURIATING it is, indeed. While the dust on the Vizconde massacre case is still far from settling and Lauro Vizconde is still battling the system for his share of justice, yet another spate of heinous crimes surfaced once again. The murders of car traders, Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista cause on outrage among anti-crime crusaders,…
RECENT reports said that one of World Bank’s funding agency, the International Finance Corp. (IFC), plans to invest in key Philippine banks that need to increase their core capital to meet stricter global capital adequacy requirements. Jesse Ang, representative of IFC to the Philippines, said in an interview that the need of the local banks…
