Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories throughout the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
ACCORDING to the U.S. State Department in its annual human rights report released Thursday, March 14, persons with disabilities (PWD) in the Philippines “continued to face discrimination”in 2018 as a policy crafted to help them “was not effectively enforced.” The report, entitled “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018,” said the National Council for…
Malacañang announced on Tuesday, March 12, that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer push for the legalization of medical marijuana because he felt that it might go out of hand. “Kasi ang feeling niya (Duterte) you will be using that as an excuse, baka lumaki nang lumaki lang (Duterte feels that you will use…
The leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 12, said the first batch of registration for the implementation of the National Identification System Law will begin in September. “I am happy that it’s all systems go for the national ID system based on the timeline they have presented to us this morning,” said…
Water concessionaires and the weather bureau recently announced low to no water supply will continue to be experienced by several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to El Niño, which would last until June. In addition, monitoring of La Mesa Dam in Quezon City last Monday, March 11, showed that the dam’s water…
As the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) becomes official on Sunday, March 17, it vowed to continue its probe on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs even after the withdrawal takes effect. Philippine Coalition for the ICC (PCICC) lead counsel Romel Bagares said that the international court ensured that all proceedings which…
Labor leader and senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman on Sunday, March 10, said special envoy to China Ramon Tulfo is all talk while Filipino workers labor for the country’s growth. This was after Tulfo called Filipino workers “lazy” unlike the Chinese. In a statement, De Guzman said, “Kaya nga tinawag na manggagawa, kasi nga gumagawa….
According to the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) fourth-quarter survey, more Filipinos appear to be satisfied with the performance of the Duterte administration. The poll, which was released on Monday, March 11, revealed 76 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the work of the administration while nine percent said otherwise with a net satisfaction rating…
Priests remained firm in their criticism of the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as they shared the hateful messages they received from calling out the flaws in the government. Three Catholic priests Father Flavie Villanueva, Father Robert Reyes and Father Albert Alejo on Monday, March 11, revealed a series of death threats they received…
CEBU – The Department of Tourism (DOT) congratulated the winners of the 2019 edition of the Routes Asia Marketing Awards during the Routes Asia Networking Evening held at the Radisson Blu Cebu. “The Philippine Department of Tourism expresses its warmest congratulations to all the winners of the best airports in the different categories, and of…
A GREENPEACE report has revealed that 11 of the cities in Southeast Asia with the cleanest air are in the Philippines. Switzerland-based IQ AirVisual and Greenpeace’s 2018 Air Quality Report released on Tuesday, March 5 measured the amount of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 (µg/m³), which can penetrate into the airways to cause respiratory…
The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) revealed this week that it would require foreign employees to secure a working visa before being allowed to work in the country. DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that this decision seeks to reduce the number of foreigners employed in the Philippines illegally. The labor secretary stated…
CHINESE Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua assured that Beijing will not launch any attacks in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). “We are worried about possible attacks from the other side. We don’t worry about China attacking anybody because it is not our policy,” he said on the sidelines of the Presidential Anti-Corruption…
Forbes Magazine named real estate tycoon and self-made billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. as the Philippines’ richest man as he topped the country’s list and ranked 317th among the 2,153 global billionaires on its list. The 69-year-old former politician was the first wealthiest man in the country of purely Filipino descent. Villar was among the 17…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, March 3, insisted on changing the name of the country but seems to have dropped his suggestion to rename it Maharlika. “Kaya sabi ng mga ano na papalitan ko, gusto kong palitan balang araw (That’s why I said I want to change it someday),” the president said as reported…
Philippine government officials in the education, health and law enforcement sectors urged the public, especially the parents of young children, to keep an eye on their kids’ online activities after accounts of the disturbing Momo challenge made its rounds on social media. The Department of Education (DepEd) encouraged the parents to ensure “open communication lines”…
An independent student newspaper at Princeton University released an article entitled “Filipino governor, Senate candidate falsely claims to have graduated from U,” in response to claims that Philippine Senate candidate Imee Marcos received a degree from the institution. According to the article, published on Tuesday, February 26, Marcos is “a Filipino governor that has stirred…
The Philippine National Police on Thursday, February 28 offered to protect priests who are facing death threats. Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David earlier confirmed that he had been receiving death threats from unknown people since early February. David, who is one of the targets of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches in the past, said he began…
A bill prohibiting parents from using corporal punishment to discipline their children has been vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang on Thursday, February 28 released documents that showed the president vetoing the measure last February 23. The measure seeks to promote “positive and non-violent discipline” and protect children from punishments that range from physical to…
The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey revealed that most Filipinos believed that some police officers are involved in the illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and are often planting evidence against drug suspects. Illegal drug trade The survey which was released on Wednesday, February 27, asked: “Here are some accusations against policemen. In your…
Instead of launching into another series of tirades against Catholic Church officials and the religion itself, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, February 24 issued a warning to anyone who would harm priests and bishops. The warning came after Duterte was informed about rumors that some individuals claiming to be working for his family have been…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, signed into law the Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill, which seeks to give all Filipinos health care coverage and benefits. In his speech during a special ceremony in Malacañang, Duterte acknowledged the importance of the Universal Health Care Law, a measure that intends to provide free and affordable…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, vowed that he will not allow anyone to destroy the Philippines with illegal drugs. “I will not allow my country to be destroyed by drugs. I will not allow my country to end up a failed state because of drugs,” he said in a speech in Malacañang. Duterte…
Malacañang on Friday, February 22, stood firm on its “no ransom policy” despite the hostage-taking of three foreign nationals by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Mindanao. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that issuing ransom to the terrorist group would do more harm than good as it would finance their acquisition of guns, bombs…
THE Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, February 19, said that the measles outbreak in the country could negatively affect the tourism and overseas labor sectors if not contained as soon as possible. Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo revealed that foreign countries may be forced to issue travel advisories against traveling to the Philippines if…
AS the presidential daughter and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairwoman Sara Duterte-Carpio increased her public presence for her political party, the public buzzed anew with talks of her possibly succeeding her father President Rodrigo Duterte. Four senators already expressed their support for the first daughter despite Duterte-Carpio’s statement that she will announce her decision to…
Dengvaxia’s certificates of product registration (CPRs) have been “permanently revoked,” the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday, February 19. This is due to the continued failure of the anti-dengue vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., to submit post-approval commitment documents. According to FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno, Sanofi Pasteur has “shown complete disregard of…
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said that first daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio might become the next leader of the country, following his father President Rodrigo Duterte’s footsteps. “I will not be surprised if she becomes president of this country after her father. There are many admirers of Inday Sara – admirers and supporters,”…
THE country’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign was relaunched on Monday, February 18, by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The repurposed campaign, which would now use crowd-sourcing in a bid for “sustainable tourism”, meant to attract more tourists. It was propelled by Boracay’s six-month closure, in an effort to rehabilitate the world-famous…
Arrest of 2018 TIME Person of the Year sparks international outrage, questions about press freedom ONE day after her arrest for “cyber libel” charges, Filipina journalist Maria Ressa of Rappler was released on bail on Thursday, Feb. 14 by her lawyer. After her lawyer posted bail (P100,000, or $1,915), Ressa did not shy away from…
In response to President Rodrigo Duterte floating the idea of renaming the Philippines to “Maharlika,” Malacañang said that the name change would require a new law and the public’s approval in a referendum. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that in order to change the country’s name, congressional action will be needed. “The Constitution provides that…
