DOT: 3.4-M tourists visited PH January-May 2019
A total of 3,489,270 tourists were recorded to have visited the Philippines for the first five months of 2019, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat…
Category: Across the Islands
Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories throughout the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Delisted martial law victims, kin confront lawyer Swift
Delisted martial law victims and their relatives on Tuesday, July 9, confronted American lawyer Robert Swift about why they were taken off the official list of people to be awarded…
Rights group urges UN probe over drug war killings
Amnesty International on Monday, July 8, said extrajudicial killings related to the government’s anti-drug campaign continue to occur, destroying lives and devastating communities. The rights group released a report entitled…
US to fulfill obligations to PH under MDT
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Wednesday, July 3 said the U.S. will “stand by” its obligations to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) should…
Bill to protect Filipino fishermen filed in Senate
In light of the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Francis Tolentino filed a Senate bill that seeks to implement provisions in international maritime law for the safety…
Food poisoning victims at Imelda Marcos’ birthday party urged to seek treatment
Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is urging all those who attended the 90th birthday party of former first lady Imelda Marcos to seek immediate medical attention if they start…
Duterte wants China to guarantee Filipinos’ rights and safety in West PH Sea
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is seeking assurance from China that it will guarantee the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea following the June 9 Recto Bank…
Palace: China rejects third party in Recto Bank joint probe
Malacañang on Monday, July 1 said China disagreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s suggestion of involving an independent body in the Philippines-China joint investigation into the Recto Bank collision. Presidential Spokesperson…
Think tank: Philippines to lose the most in possible US outsourcing ban
The Philippines would be the ‘biggest loser’ in Asia if United States President Donald Trump follows through with his threat to punish American firms that outsource jobs, an independent economic…
Duterte apologizes to Filipino fishermen, seeks joint investigation into Recto Bank incident
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, June 24 apologized to the 22 Filipino fishermen involved in the Recto Bank event with a Chinese vessel, but downplayed it as a “maritime…
UN rights chief closely monitoring Philippine human rights situation
THE number of deaths associated with the Philippine government’s anti-drug campaign continue to be a concern for the United Nations’ human rights body, its chief revealed at the Human Rights…
6,600 killed in PH drug war — PNP
ACCORDING to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 6,600 suspected drug offenders have been killed in police operations since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs….
Duterte: I regret running for president
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, June 12, admitted that he regretted his decision to pursue the country’s highest office given its seemingly insurmountable problems. “I lost interest at work. Actually,…
Duterte wants clean slate in PhilHealth administration
Officials asked to submit resignation amid reports of fraud Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, June 10, said President Rodrigo Duterte has asked officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation…
Bishop denies involvement with plot to oust Duterte
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Thursday, June 6 denied being in a meeting with people allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of President Rodrigo Duterte. The archbishop’s defense comes after…
To graduate in the Philippines, students have to plant 10 trees
A bill requiring students to plant trees as a prerequisite for graduation has been approved by the Philippine House of Representatives on its third and final reading. “Graduation Legacy for…
Palace: Japan trip not a reward for 20 Cabinet execs
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 28, flew out to Tokyo for a visit aimed at deepening the Philippines’ political and economic ties with Japan — one of the country’s …
Comelec proclaims 12 winning PH senators
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared the winners of the recently concluded 2019 midterm elections on Wednesday, May 22, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. Topping…
Police chief: 27 ‘narco-politicians’ won polls
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde announced on Monday, May 20, that 27 politicians on President Rodrigo Duterte’s “narco-list” won in the recent 2019 midterm elections. “Out of 47…
People urged to clean up ‘election trash’ after 2019 polls
Environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition implored candidates as well as the public to help clean up the remnants of the campaign season days after the 2019 Philippine midterm elections. Aileen Lucero,…
Technical issues, election violations mar 2019 Philippine elections
ANY hopes for a smooth sailing election process were dashed as various issues involving vote-counting machines (VCMs) marred the 2019 midterm elections on Monday, May 13. Of the 85,000 VCMs…
2019 PH ELECTION: Senatorial admin bets take lead, Otso Diretso suffers loss
AFTER fixing a technical issue in its transparency server, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was able to release the partial unofficial results for the 2019 national elections. As of 9:51…
DOT hosts 2019 PATA Summit on sustainable tourism development in Cebu
CEBU CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) joined the rest of the Asia Pacific region’s cause for responsible development of travel and tourism as it hosted the Pacific Asia…
Duterte: Vote buying an ‘integral part’ of PH polls
According to President Rodrigo Duterte, vote buying is an “integral” part of elections in the Philippines, with the practice being fairly normal among Filipinos. He made the statement on Monday,…
AFP on red alert for midterm elections
AS the upcoming midterm elections draw near, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, May 10 raised the red alert status in order to ensure national security on…
Philippines joins three countries for naval drills in South China Sea
A quadrilateral cooperative naval drill is currently being conducted in the South China Sea by a Philippine Navy patrol ship and five other warships from Japan, India, and the United…
PH supports increased deployment of women peacekeepers
THE Philippines supports the deployment of more women peacekeepers, including in the highest posts during United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. According to Kira Christianne Azucena, Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Philippine…
Comelec ready for May 13 elections
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, May 7, began its final testing and sealing (FTS) of the 85,000 vote counting machines (VCMs). This will determine if the VCMs can…
West PH Sea faces new problem — garbage
Marine scientists explain how our activities are the biggest threat to ecosystems THE sight of plastic waste and other floating garbage greeted a team of young marine scientists when they…
Philippine Senate cancels hearing on Bikoy’s allegations
THE scheduled Senate investigation on Friday, May 10, regarding the allegations presented by Bikoy, the hooded figure in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos will no longer push through. In a…