Six-month closure of world-famous island begins The Philippine government has allotted P448 million in assistance for workers affected by the temporary closure of Boracay island. In a statement on Friday, April 27, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the funds will be used for “emergency employment, livelihood, and training programs for the 6-month…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that the government will seize all opportunities to uphold and protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “Rest assured that your government will take every opportunity [and] use every available venue to uphold and protect the rights of our countrymen working abroad,” Duterte said on Thursday, April…
Following the release of the 2017 Bar Examinations, Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, congratulated law graduates who passed one of the country’s hardest licensure exams. Malacañang also encouraged new lawyers to pursue a career in the government, as their “idealism, integrity and competence are most welcome” under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. “We’d like…
Local and foreign tourists enjoyed their vacations in Boracay a day before the world-famous island’s closure started on Thursday, April 26. The island is set to be closed to tourists for six months upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate the island. However, tourists who have bookings beyond April 26 will still be…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 25, has reiterated his promise to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year. During a speech in Buluan, Maguindanao, Duterte assured the Moro people anew of his commitment to pass the BBL, hopefully by the end of May. “So let us fast-track the BBL. I promised that…
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox to leave the country after it forfeited her missionary visa for engaging in “partisan political activities.” The BI issued its one-page order on Fox on Monday, April 23. Fox was directed to leave the Philippines within 30 days from receipt of the…
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) that his press statements on the ongoing recount of votes in the 2016 vice presidential race were mere “observations.” Marcos claimed that he “did not make any comment or disclosure pertaining to the revision proceedings that may be construed as prejudging the issue,…
The Philippines now recognizes a divorce obtained by a Filipino citizen against a foreign spouse outside the country, according to the Supreme Court (SC). In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, April 24, the SC ruled “that a foreign divorce secured by a Filipino against a foreign spouse is also considered valid in the Philippines, even…
The government of Kuwait on Monday, April 23, has assured the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state. According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Kuwait made the assurance on during a meeting between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City. “During the meeting,…
European Parliament insists PH should follow due process Malacañang on Friday, April 20, slammed the European Parliament yet again over the latter’s latest resolution urging the Philippine government to stop its anti-illegal drugs campaign that has reportedly claimed about 12,000 lives since mid-2016. Calling the European Parliament’s latest move a form of “interference” into the…
There is no crackdown of foreigners who were critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang said, as it justified the recent detention of 71-year-old Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, April 19, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. stressed that the law banning foreigners from participating in political activities in…
Senator Leila De Lima will remain in detention after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed her motion for reconsideration on the arrest warrant against her issued by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC). In a ruling penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the SC upheld the arrest order against the senator, which was issued by Muntinlupa…
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao clarified that he has not made any decisions on who will be his trainer for his upcoming fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse yet. Pacquiao made the clarification in a social media post on Monday, April 16, amid reports that he has cut ties with Freddie Roach, who’s been…
Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa bade goodbye to police service in tears on Monday, April 16. During his final flag-raising ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa thanked the police force for their hard work in implementing the anti-illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela…
The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, April 16, justified the detention and deportation of a European politician, explaining that it is illegal for a tourist to engage in any “partisan political activity.” Giacomo Filibeck, the deputy secretary general of the Party of European Socialist (PES) and a native of Italy, was detained at…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13, lashed out anew against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling her “ignorant” and “dumb.” As he continued his series of word attacks against the top magistrate, Duterte said Sereno — who is currently facing a possible impeachment trial — should have quit her position a long time…
Despite a “provisional license” granted to a Chinese gaming firm, there will be no construction of any casino in Boracay, Malacañang said on Thursday, April 12. Last month, Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its Filipino partner, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., announced their plan to construct a casino-resort in Boracay after securing a provisional…
As the Philippines commemorate the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) on Monday, April 9, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked Filipinos to always remember the World War II veterans, who fought for the country’s freedom. “Let us continue to celebrate and commemorate the valor and gallantry of our WW2 Veterans. Let us perpetuate the memory of their…
The Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to be to be transferred from Camp Bagong Diwa to the custody of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Witness Protection Program (WPP). In a resolution dated April 5, the anti-graft court’s First Division denied Napoles’ motion due to lack of merit,…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte formally declared war against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling the latter his “enemy.” In a press conference on Monday, April 9, at the Davao International Airport, Duterte vowed to do everything in his power to remove the top magistrate from her office. “I’m putting you on notice that I’m now…
The Philippines will urge the United States and China to exercise restraint and resume dialogue in order to prevent a “trade war” between the world’s biggest economies. Expressing concern over the worsening trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana on Monday, April 9, cautioned that there would be…
The Philippines is monitoring the reported combat drills conducted by China in the South China Sea. This, according to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, following a recent Reuters report that said Beijing was holding exercises in a large “show of force” off Hainan Island in the South China Sea. “Of course. Our Navy and Air…
The Liberal Party (LP) is pushing for a “resistance” coalition in the 2019 elections to prevent any possible “slide to authoritarianism and anti-democratic rule.” In a statement released Tuesday, March 27, LP President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stressed the need for a “strong” opposition coalition “to ensure that our democracy remains vibrant.” The LP, he…
The Chinese government has criticized the United States after one of its warships sailed in the disputed waters of the South China Sea near Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in the Spratly Islands. Ren Guoqiang, spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Defense, said the entry of U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin in what he described as waters around China’s…
The Philippines will not participate in any joint expeditions with the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, March 21. Duterte remarked that the Philippines would “stand on our own,” saying the country had enough of getting nothing but “brutality and agony.” “I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any…
MALACAÑANG on Monday, February 5, downplayed Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s latest request for a Senate investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family. In a briefing, Presidential Spokesperson harry Roque dismissed Trillanes’ accusations as old news. “Lumang tugtugin, lumang balita para ng sirang plaka (It’s old news that sounds like a…
An unfazed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 9 welcomed an international court’s move to conduct a preliminary examination into crimes against humanity allegedly committed under his drug war. Speaking at a conference in Davao City, Duterte said he is ready to face trial, further daring the International Criminal Court (ICC) to sentence him…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 7 said that the country will never reach any progress if he refrains from using a “dictatorial style” of leadership. Speaking before former communist rebels in Malacañang, Duterte said he needed to act like a dictator for the sake of the country’s development. “Sabi mo diktador, diktador talaga…
Two congressmen from the United States expressed their objections to the possible return of the historic Balangiga bells to the Philippines, citing the alleged massive human rights violations of the latter country’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. In a letter, Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) had asked U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to “not…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to begin its “preliminary examination” into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte under his ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. Malacañang on Thursday, February 8, confirmed that the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) will look into the country’s situation to determine if there was…
