AFP to create new infantry to counter Abu Sayyaf
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday, December 5, announced the creation of a new infantry division specialized to locate the whereabouts of Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist…
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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Revilla acquitted as Napoles and former aide convicted for PDAF plunder charges
SANDIGANBAYAN First Division on Friday, December 7 acquitted former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of plunder while his former chief of staff Richard Cambe and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles were…
PH ranks 11th world’s most climate-related deaths, 20th most affected by disasters
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….
WHO supports PH’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax
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…
UN officials did not accuse Liberal Party of misusing Yolanda funds
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…
Philippine senators open to legalizing medical marijuana
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…
Duterte rules out pardon for cops in Kian delos Santos slay
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…
Sandiganbayan allows Imelda Marcos to post bail due to ‘old age’, like Enrile
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…
Palace praises gov’t anti-crime drive, disregards survey results
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)…
Military seeks 1-year martial law extension
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…
Malacañang: Duterte’s ‘death squad’ idea doesn’t violate due process
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…
Malacanang lauds Dureza for resigning out of ‘delicadeza’
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…
Court finds cops guilty in slaying of Kian Delos Santos
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…
Duterte: Filipinos must have access to safe drinking water
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…
Carpio: ‘China and PH joint exploration – unconstitutional’
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…
BiCam approves Universal Health Care bill
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…
Sandiganbayan: Imelda’s appeal to take case to SC premature
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…
DOT’s Kaon ‘Ta Mindanao edition banners culinary tourism
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…
Duterte fires housing secretary general over corruption allegations
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…
Andaya: No pork in 2019 budget
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…
Duterte urged to stand by WPS ruling
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…
‘Filipinos trust US most, China least’
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…
NDF, peace panel cancel return to PH due to arrest threat
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…
50 more establishments in violation of easement policy in El Nido
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…
Duterte open to US visit following return of Balangiga bells
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…
‘Imelda Marcos not exempt from arrest’
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…
El Nido cleanup set before 2019
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…
Duterte: ‘It ain’t here until it’s here’
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…
BE Grand Resort in Bohol announced as Southeast Asia’s hidden gem
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…
Sandiganbayan finds former first lady Imelda Marcos guilty of graft
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…