Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories throughout the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Locals and tourists will soon experience a faster and seamless travel in Pangasinan as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aims to complete the construction of a new by-pass road for Urdaneta City in 2019. In his report to DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, DPWH Region I Director Ronnel M. Tan said that…
DAVAO CITY – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Thursday, May 3, launched a media hub which aims to strengthen its communication services in Mindanao. The launching of the Mindanao Media Hub was led by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar along with Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, who delivered a message during…
AN organizer of the 2016 Miss Universe in the Philippines shared that the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has approached them again for a possible restaging of the beauty pageant’s 2018 edition in the country. Requesting to be anonymous as he is representing a private company that helped stage Miss Universe 2016 in the country, the…
BORACAY, AKLAN – On the first day of the Boracay rehabilitation, the Department of Tourism (DOT) led the first wave of clean-up drive along the stretch of Bulabog Beach as part of #SaveBoracay rehabilitation efforts. More than 200 volunteers arrive from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Environmental Management Bureau, the Department…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that the government will seize all opportunities to uphold and protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “Rest assured that your government will take every opportunity [and] use every available venue to uphold and protect the rights of our countrymen working abroad,” Duterte said on Thursday, April…
Malacañang has defended the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) order on Australian Catholic nun Patricia Fox to leave the Philippines after it canceled her missionary visa. “We stand by the Bureau of Immigration’s order to forfeit Sister Patricia Fox‘s privilege of holding a missionary visa and to leave the Philippines,” Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Boracay under state of calamity on Thursday, April 26, the same day when the island’s six-month closure begun. Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 475, declaring barangays Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in Malay town under a state of calamity “until lifted by the president, notwithstanding the lapse of the six-month…
Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, said while the Palace respects the rights of individuals to sue and the independence of the judiciary, it is confident that the petitions filed in the Supreme Court to stop the closure of Boracay will not be given merit. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. in a Palace press briefing said…
Local and foreign tourists enjoyed their vacations in Boracay a day before the world-famous island’s closure started on Thursday, April 26. The island is set to be closed to tourists for six months upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate the island. However, tourists who have bookings beyond April 26 will still be…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 25, has reiterated his promise to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year. During a speech in Buluan, Maguindanao, Duterte assured the Moro people anew of his commitment to pass the BBL, hopefully by the end of May. “So let us fast-track the BBL. I promised that…
Malacañang on Monday, April 23, vowed to support the country’s economic growth by solid macroeconomic fundamentals and sustained investments in infrastructure and social services. Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the remark as he welcome two recent studies projecting the Philippine economy to grow by at least 6.8 percent for the first quarter of 2018….
Activist from Mindanao detained for 28 hours in US airport A human rights group has called on Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday, April 23 to file a diplomatic complaint against the Trump administration after a young Filipino activist was detained in the U.S. for 28 hours last week and sent back to…
The government of Kuwait on Monday, April 23, has assured the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state. According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Kuwait made the assurance on during a meeting between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City. “During the meeting,…
Legazpi City, Albay — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, April 21, called on motorcycle riders and enthusiasts to promote road safety by being drug- and alcohol-free. “Do keep in mind that it is not just purely an adventure when you are on the road. I ask you to promote road safety and observing traffic…
Case likened to actions ‘usually seen in action movies’ Three American men were convicted Wednesday, April 18 for a murder conspiracy plot in which they assassinated a real-estate agent in the Philippines for cash six years ago. Former U.S. Army sergeant and sniper instructor Joseph Hunter, also known as “Rambo,” was found guilty in Federal…
The construction of New Clark City, a modern metropolis envisioned to be next growth driver in Luzon, is on track, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Monday.This was assured by BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon after meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte about New Clark City, one of the big-ticket projects…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 18, commended outgoing Armed Forces of he Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero for his successful stint in the AFP, including the handling of the Marawi City reconstruction efforts, and announced that Guerrero will be leading the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). “Alam mo sir, matagal ng…
Boracay, Aklan – Malacañang on Tuesday, April 17 stressed that the total closure of Boracay for a maximum period of six months was the only way to save the island from further damage. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said this during his press briefing here at the Savoy Hotel, nine days before the expected shutdown….
Former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his Cabinet officials should be held criminally liable for the Dengvaxia mess, according to a draft report by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee is recommending the prosecution of Aquino and his officials “for all the tragedy, damage and possible deaths” resulting from his administration’s scrapped…
PH and China ink six bilateral agreements Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13 said he wants the P4 billion in assistance from China to be used for repairing and equipping hospitals in Mindanao, particularly in Jolo and Basilan. Earlier this week, Duterte left for back-to-back trips to China and Hong Kong, taking home…
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, April 12, maintained that the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign is “constitutional, legal, and is implemented in the interest of public safety.” In a statement, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao dismissed anew the allegations that the deaths related to the drug war are state-sanctioned. “We maintain that the…
Despite a “provisional license” granted to a Chinese gaming firm, there will be no construction of any casino in Boracay, Malacañang said on Thursday, April 12. Last month, Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its Filipino partner, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., announced their plan to construct a casino-resort in Boracay after securing a provisional…
As the Philippines commemorate the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) on Monday, April 9, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked Filipinos to always remember the World War II veterans, who fought for the country’s freedom. “Let us continue to celebrate and commemorate the valor and gallantry of our WW2 Veterans. Let us perpetuate the memory of their…
As the recount of 2016 vice presidential polls continues, more wet ballots were discovered in ballot boxes from Naga City, Camarines Sur. Aside from wet ballots, the camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said cut grass was also discovered in ballot boxes from the hometown of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. The…
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is considering the idea of hosting the Miss Universe pageant in 2019 after the rehabilitation of Boracay island. According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, it was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who suggested the hosting of another Miss Universe pageant in the country to help in reintroducing Boracay to the…
DAVAO CITY –The Philippines scored yet another tourism marketing coup with its successful hosting of the Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon on Sunday in this premier Mindanao city, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Thousands of people welcomed and cheered over 2,000 competitors in the different categories of this prestigious international sporting event that featured 21 world champions,…
