Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories throughout the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
THE Philippines placed 11th worldwide among the countries with the most number of casualties due to extreme climate disasters and 20th in the most affected by climate-related disasters in 2017. In an article from The Philippine Daily Inquirer, a Global Climate Risk Index report by Germanwatch indicated that last year garnered the highest number of…
THE World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, December 5, expressed their support on the Philippines’ move to increase the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise tax, revealing that doing such would prevent deaths caused by diabetes, stroke and heart failure. Researchers from the organization said that imposing taxes would reduce the fatalities brought by the deadliest diseases…
A UNITED Nations (UN) special rapporteur this week has responded to claims that the UN had accused the Philippines’ then-ruling Liberal Party (LP) of misusing disaster relief funds for election campaigning in 2016. This comes after a video posted on Facebook on October 30, 2018. took footage from a press conference in 2015 given by…
Senators Grace Poe and Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday, December 4, said they were open to legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines. Poe cited cases of marijuana being used for medical purposes on patients, but also noted that it could not yet be considered a cure. In an interview with ANC television, she said marijuana could…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 3, said he will not pardon the 3 policemen convicted of murdering Caloocan teenager Kian delos Santos. When asked by reporters if a pardon from him may be expected, he answered: “Of course not. Maybe one million years from now.” His promise to police and military personnel that he…
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Monday, December 3, granted a post-conviction bail to Ilocos Norte Second District Representative Imelda Marcos due to her advanced age and health conditions, a decision similar to that of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. In an order dated November 28, the graft court considered the old age of the former…
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday, December 1, claimed that the government has made “significant strides” in its campaign against criminality even though results of the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey suggested otherwise. “Significant strides have been made by the current administration through its war against criminality, including those related to illegal drugs,” Panelo…
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday, December 3, announced the military is set to recommend another year of martial law in Mindanao. He cited the need to quell terrorists still “lurking” on the island. According to Galvez, the “clamor” of local government officials in Mindanao, regional peace and order councils and the…
President reveals plans to form unit to counter NPAs Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to establish an armed civilian unit to counter communist rebels would not violate due process, Malacañang said. Earlier this week, Duterte revealed that the armed unit would be formed to suppress the New People’s Army (NPA) “sparrow”, slang for Special Partisan…
Former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza was praised by Malacañang on Wednesday, November 28, for taking full responsibility for the “transgressions” of two members of his staff who were sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, “We commend the former presidential adviser on the peace process…
THREE Philippine police officers have been found guilty this week for the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos in August 2017, considered one of the most high-profile cases associated with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz were sentenced by the Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch…
President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized that every Filipino family must have access to safe drinking water for them to lead productive lives. During the kick-off for the construction of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) in Barangay Calinan, Duterte said, “I have always believed that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right…
Former Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio revealed on Monday, November 26, that the joint exploration and exploitation of resources in the West Philippine Sea with China is a direct violation of our constitution. “Joint exploration and exploitation is prohibited in our Constitution, which requires that the Philippines shall have ‘full control and supervision’ in the…
The Philippine Senate together with the House of Representatives approved the reconciled version of the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill that aims to provide health care for all Filipinos on Tuesday, November 27. One of the UHC’s principal authors Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito expressed his joy over the passage of the said bill among the…
Former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos filed a Notice of Appeal on Tuesday, November 27, before the Sandiganbayan seeking to take her conviction in seven graft cases to the Supreme Court. However, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said that it is premature because there is still a pending motion to be…
Cagayan de Oro City, CDO—Mindananoans were treated to a gastronomic extravaganza as Kaon ‘Ta!, the Northern Mindanao leg of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) food and travel festival was launched recently at the Seda Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Foodies and travelers delighted themselves with a wide array of local cuisine, including exotic authentic Cagayan de…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, November 22 fired Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) secretary-general Falconi Millar for alleged corruption in the rehabilitation of war-ravaged Marawi City. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the dismissal of Millar was done to implement the administration’s anti-corruption drive. “There are no sacred cows in the administration,…
House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. denied the alleged pork insertions by the House of Representatives (HOR) members on Tuesday, November 21 as he noted that those were just some “very unusual” belated orders. Andaya said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and certain Cabinet members only had late requests as they pushed for the passage…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was urged by his critics on Tuesday, November 20 to defend the country’s claim and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said that the president must not put aside the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as he cited the Social…
The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed on Tuesday, November 20, that among five specific countries, Filipinos’ public trust rating fared highest for the United States and lowest for China. The public trust rating for the five countries namely the U.S., China, Japan, Malaysia and Israel were all measured in September. A “very…
National Democratic Front (NDF) Peace Panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili, NDF Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni and Peace Panel member Coni Ledesma canceled their scheduled return to the Philippines due to the impending arrest threat from President Rodrigo Duterte. Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Founding chairman Jose Maria Sison shared on the NDF website about how…
The municipal government of El Nido on Thursday, November 15, announced that a total of 50 more tourism establishments are now facing closure for violating the three-meter coastal easement policy in the town. El Nido town administrator RJ de la Calzada said that the establishments that violated the environmental rules have been given a two-week…
After the United States Defense Department initiated the return of the historic Balangiga bells to the Philippines this week, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could be open to an official visit to the U.S., despite his past criticism of the country. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. revealed with the return of the…
Former first lady Imelda Marcos, widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is not exempt from being arrested and jailed despite her advanced age, various lawmakers said on Tuesday, November 13. According to them, the police should enforce any order from the court to take her into custody after she was sentenced by the Sandiganbayan to up…
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday, November 13, is set out to remove business establishments that violate environmental rules and guidelines in El Nido by the end of 2018. DENR for Region IV-B Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado said that such move is done to…
Reports about the U.S. returning the Balangiga bells to the Philippines were welcomed by the Malacañang on Wednesday, November 13. But officials have yet to comment until the actual arrival of the bells that were seized by American troops during the Philippine-American war in 1901. In a report by The Philippine Star, it was said…
BE Grand Resort in Bohol, a 5.0-hectare resort situated on a clifftop and naturally surrounded by lush vegetation has been awarded as Southeast Asia’s hidden gem by receiving the award for excellence for Luxury Hideaway Resort by the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The award was given during the ceremony and gala event at Ayana…
FORMER Philippine first lady and current Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos on Friday, November 9 has been found guilty on several graft offenses that occurred during her husband’s regime. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued its decision and sentenced the Marcos matriarch to imprisonment of six years and one month to 11 years for each count…
FIVE years after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed parts of the Philippines, Malacañang assured that the rehabilitation and recovery efforts are being fast-tracked. To date, P146.156 billion in funds have already been released for the rebuilding, according to the current administration. Presidential spokesperson and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo cited the National Housing Authority (NHA)’s…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said that casinos will not be built within the premises of the world-famous Boracay island to honor the wishes of the locals and residents of the said tourist spot. “If it is the wish of the population here that they do not want a casino, then it will be a no…
