Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories throughout the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
ILOILO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, June 20, assured that funds for public projects are equally distributed across the nation under his administration. The President also assured that he is continuing the projects started by his predecessors. “In the scheme of things now, if you are just worried about the distribution of the wealth…
President Rodrigo Duterte, on Tuesday, June 19, insisted that peace talks should be in the Philippines despite exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison saying that talks would be doomed if they would be held in Manila. “Why should I talk outside? I’m talking about our country, my country, their…
Two Filipino fugitives have been re-arrested for killing a U.S. Marine in the Philippines five years ago, announced the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. embassy in the Philippines on Monday, June 18. Another was arrested for obstruction of justice. “The U.S. embassy in the Philippines welcomes the arrests of Galicano Datu III…
As internet usage rises among adults in the Philippines, a large majority of Filipinos are viewing the issue of fake news and false information as a serious concern, revealed a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released this week. Looking at results from two surveys conducted from December 8-16, 2017, and March 23-27, 2018, SWS found…
DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, June 16, joined the Filipino Muslims in celebrating Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, as he vowed anew for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the need to shift to a federal type of government. In his speech during the celebration of the 2018…
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, June 13, vowed to further empower the youth by making quality education affordable and accessible to everyone, especially the poor. President Duterte made this commitment as he witnessed the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the 112 State Universities…
Kawit — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, joined his countrymen in honoring the patriots who have given their lives for the Philippines’ liberty, urging Filipinos to be worthy of the “great sacrifice.” President Duterte led the flag raising ceremony at the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo as he graced the celebration of the…
Boracay can be a land reform area without sacrificing tourism. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones on Wednesday, June 6, said they would still maintain Boracay as a “tourist destination.” However, they would have to limit it in the beach areas since “these are where the tourists spend time and linger. These are…
LAPU-LAPU CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the newly constructed Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 here on Thursday, June 7. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his excitement to present the new airport to the public describing the project as the “most beautiful airport in the country today.” “It is…
LAPU-LAPU CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte swore in newly elected barangay captains in the Central Visayas rallying their support as his government confronts the scourge of illegal drugs, corruption and criminality. In his address, President Duterte congratulated the newly elected barangay leaders noting it is an honor for him to administer their oath of office….
The Philippines is not yet capable of defending its territory in the disputed South China Sea amid China’s continuing aggressiveness in the disputed area, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, June 4. In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, the defense chief said it may take some time for the Philippines to acquire the…
PAGBILAO, Quezon — President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration Thursday of the newly completed 420-megawatt Pagbilao Unit 3 project coal-fired power plant here that is expected to stabilize energy supply in Luzon as well as boost the economy. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the Department of Energy and Aboitiz Power Corp….
Boracay is intended for all Filipinos, not just the wealthy resort owners, Malacañang assured the public on Thursday, May 31. According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to give back the island to the “common individuals” especially farmers who could till the land. He also wants Filipinos to enjoy all that the…
Malacañang has dared human rights activists to prove allegations of human rights violations committed by members of the military in Mindanao under martial law. During a press briefing on Thursday, May 24 in Marawi City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called on the presentation of proof or “let us not accuse our soldiers.” “Many soldiers offered…
OZAMIZ City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog was arrested in Taiwan for illegal entry on Wednesday, May 23. Parojinog is a younger brother of slain suspected drug kingpin Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. He been the subject of a 10-month police hunt for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. He was placed on the Bureau of…
The Philippines has “serious concern” over the Chinese bomber planes that landed on an island along the disputed South China Sea, said the country’s presidential spokesman. He added that the Philippines’ foreign ministry had taken “appropriate diplomatic action” but did not give specifics. The statements come after the Chinese air force landed long-range bombers on…
AMID reports that a business partner of President Rodrigo Duterte’s brother Emmanuel was arrested by the Japanese police for allegedly plotting a robbery in Tokyo, Malacañang stressed on Thursday, May 17, that the president cannot be influenced by family members. According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., Duterte had advised the public not to believe…
THE United States is reportedly elated to hear reports about drug operations in the Philippines being conducted within the rule of law, a visiting State Department official said Wednesday May 16. “That’s very good for us to hear. We’re encouraged to hear about those efforts,” Patrick Murphy, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asia…
Vice President Leni Robredo’s net worth significantly decreased in 2017 due to expenses related to the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). In her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on April 30, Robredo said her net…
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed that as of 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 94.01 percent of all villages nationwide were able to proclaim the election winners. Regions III and VII were already 100 percent finished and all winners in 3,102 and 3,003 villages, respectively, already proclaimed. “Overall, it’s almost finished. Hopefully, by 8 p.m….
Malacañang will tap a three-man panel of foreign health experts to conduct independent scientific research about Dengvaxia, the world’s first dengue vaccine, and its impact on the immunized children in the country. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said President Rodrigo Duterte seeks a more comprehensive and independent report after the conflicting reports on the matter…
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday, May 9, presented to President Rodrigo Duterte the new generation currency (NGC) banknotes and coins, with the Chief Executive encouraging the public to use the new currency wisely and responsibly for national development. The BSP Monetary Board led by Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. presented the NGC enhanced…
President Rodrigo Duterte will visit Benham Rise from May 15 to 16 and lead the commemoration of its renaming to Philippine Rise, Malacañang confirmed on on Tuesday, May 8. “The president will be commemorating the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise by visiting the Philippine Rise itself; and this is on May 15 to…
A total of 4,251 drug personalities have been killed as part of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, Philippine government officials said on Monday, May 7. The data was presented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) at its Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City during a briefing on its #RealNumbersPH campaign. Presenting the…
Philippine and U.S. military forces began on Monday, May 7, their annual military exercises — the first and largest since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte entered office. The annual Balikatan exercises — now in its 34th year — launched in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City with around 8,000 soldiers from the two countries. Nearly 3,000 soldiers from…
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) officially broke three Guinness World Records when it held its charity walk event that over 1.5 million members participated at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, May 6. The event, named “Worldwide walk to fight poverty,” broke the records for largest human sentence, largest charity walk at a single…
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), international tourist arrivals for the first mark of 2018 breached the two million mark—reaching another milestone. DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said they already welcomed over two million foreign guests into the country in just three months compared to last year where it took until April to reach two…
MANILA – Filipino religious traditions and devotional practices around this predominantly Catholic country are increasingly attracting international and domestic tourists, according to the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (PDOT). This was demonstrated recently when over 7,000 Catholic faithful joined the 4-kilometer procession from the Quirino Grandstand to San Sebastian Basilica to celebrate the 400th anniversary of…
The “Treasures of SOX” Travel and Tour Expo opened at the Glorietta Mall on May 6 featuring Region 12 – SOCCSKSARGEN’s spectrum of tourism experience, ranging from folklore to culture, ecotourism and beach parties. One of the highlights of the SOX experience for 2018 is the 12th Philippine Bird Festival (May 10-12), featuring the Baras Bird…
Hundreds of thousands of years earlier than previously thought Up until now, the earliest evidence pointing to early human activity in the Philippines dated back to 67,000 years ago, when archaeologists found a single foot bone in Callao Cave in the Philippines’ northern Luzon. A new study now suggests that early humans have been on…
