Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Malacañang laughs off rumors about Duterte’s condition Malacañang on Monday, May 20, insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte was actually in good health, saying that he merely laughed off rumors he was confined in the hospital. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s voice was “very strong” and “upbeat” when they discussed the rumors about the president’s…
THE Philippine Commission on Elections on Friday, May 17, said that the proclamation of winners for the senatorial and party-list races will be done at the same time. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that the plan to announce them simultaneously is seen as “more efficient [and] better for everyone.” “One of the directions we’re going…
The Philippine midterm elections drew in some surprising results as longstanding political figures and dynasties were defeated. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile expressed his gratitude to supporters as he conceded after ranking 22nd in the partial and unofficial results of the Senate race with 5,269,115 votes. “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagpakita ng suporta…
Cayetano, Bato, Doc Willie top PCGNY results AS the members of the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) continue to process the election results which as of writing is at 53.29 percent, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) planned to announce the winners this week. COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez said that they finished canvassing 89 Certificate of…
SENATORIAL candidates endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte maintained their lead in the partial and unofficial election results as of 10:44 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, with 96.54 percent of the votes tallied. The top five spots include Cynthia Villar (NP), who maintained her position with 24,840,806 votes, followed by Grace Poe (Independent) with 21,701,988 votes,…
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, May 14, said President Rodrigo Duterte and his drug war won as administration-backed senatorial candidates led the race in the 2019 election polls. “The Senatorial elections were not a referendum in favor of Charter Change either, the death penalty, and jailing minors. The elections were a referendum on…
The Philippines’ recent credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor’s (S&P) is due to the economic reforms under the Duterte administration, Malacañang asserted on Thursday, May 2. S&P upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing the country’s consistent growth, solid fiscal accounts, and the economy’s sound external settings. According to…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Philippine government, is set to finance the construction of sidewalks in Metro Manila. The ADB is said to provide $100 million in loans to implement the Greenways project in the Philippines. This would lead to the construction of elevated walkways for pedestrians, with the possibility of…
Three United Nations special rapporteurs on Wednesday, May 1, urged the government to refrain from linking their colleague Victoria Tauli-Corpuz to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). “We call on the Philippine Government to immediately stop these unacceptable attacks on the human rights work of Corpuz, and to ensure her physical safety,” the UN…
Malacañang on Monday, April 29, said China is open to bilateral talks to resolve the territorial incursions raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jingping last week. According to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Xi expressed willingness to discuss “irritants,” such as the increased presence of Chinese vessels in disputed areas,…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, April 21, said the United States knows a war against China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal is “not worth it,” stressing that the Philippines’ longtime ally was unreliable during the country’s 2012 standoff with China. He recalled how the U.S. brokered a deal between the Philippines and China, asking them…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 11 threatened to veto the entire P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 if found to be problematic. During a campaign rally in Bacolod City, the president said that the budget has been submitted, but is pending his review. “Kita mo ‘yung budget. Ang budget kasa-submit lang. I have to…
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos on Wednesday, April 10, dodged questions on her credibility to be a senator due to discrepancies in her school records. “Sanay na kami (We’re used to it),” she said, referring to those doubting her capabilities and qualifications in running for senator. When pressed for her reaction about the criticisms involving…
The Archbishop of Manila on Wednesday, April 10, expressed disappointment at how easy it has been to manipulate truths and criticized those who lie “for political expediency or out of fear.” “Test of that freedom in truth is when you are persecuted. How easy it is to change truths. So, now everyone is entitled to…
Malacañang on Tuesday, April 9, downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a “revolutionary war.” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the remark was an “exasperated expression” directed, not at the people, but at the enemies of the state. “The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but precisely against their enemies…
Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday, April 9, urged her brother Paolo, not to show the tattoo on his back unless a court issues an order mandating him to do so. During a Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign sortie in Surigao, Duterte-Carpio told the reporters that she would not show her…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 4 demanded that China back off from Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), which has been swarmed by hundreds of Chinese ships this week. The president told reporters that he would not let China “occupy” the island as it belongs to the Philippines. “Pag-asa…
Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV denied his involvement in a viral video alleging presidential son Paolo Duterte is linked to illegal drugs. Trillanes on Friday, April 5 said he would “congratulate” the people behind the nearly seven-minute video circulating online that links the president’s family to drugs. “The accusations of the witness were very serious,…
The Sandiganbayan dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and upheld their verdict of finding her guilty of acquiring P124.5 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). The anti-graft court released the 16-page resolution dated March 13 on Monday, April 1. They recalled the decision last December…
For President Rodrigo Duterte’s 74th birthday, his only wish is a more “prosperous and progressive” Philippines. “My wish is that we will just continue to progress and prosper, hindi tayo masali dyan sa mga gulo-gulo ng ibang bayan (we won’t be involved in the troubles of other nations),” he said before blowing out the candle…
Philippine Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday, March 27, called for a stricter firearm regulation policy as he compared the country’s crime condition to that of the 19th century America’s “Wild, Wild West.” “Dapat sa 18th Congress, palagay ko, pagtuunan ng pansin [ang gun control] kasi talagang halos araw-araw na ‘pag nakakapanood ka ng news,…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 26, said he would rather sleep than hold a party for his birthday, The Philippine leader celebrated his 74th birthday last Thursday, March 28. During the campaign rally of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Koronadal, South Cotabato, he said, “Historically, ayaw ko talagang mag-celebrate ng…
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday, March 26, gave out a warning to the government about the China-offered loans, saying the Philippines should have already learned from the past. This is after Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Beijing could seize oil and gas-rich Philippine assets in the South China Sea if the…
QUOTE FROM ERNEST: “We at Globe would like to support this (tourism) industry because this industry needs a lot of updating in terms of the digital world. Digital is changing how thing are done. Aside from promoting, there’s infrastructure that we need to bring. I was personally involved in helping a resort owner in Busuanga,…
Makati City, Philippines – One of the biggest and most established global freight forwarding networks, Combined Logistics Networks (CLN) has successfully brought more than 260 freight forwarders from across the globe under one roof in a 4-day conference being held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Manila, Philippines from March 25 to 28, 2019 in…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) announces the holding of the Philippine Harvest at the Central Square Mall at Bonifacio High Street, Global City in Taguig City from March 29-31, 2019. It is a trade fair that will feature the country’s farm and food destinations in line with the government’s sustainable tourism development program. “The overarching…
Manila, Philippines — Duty Free Philippines (DFP) on Friday gathered about 150 female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and employees to celebrate the National Women’s Month through an inspirational talk to uplift women in the workplace and across its community. For 32 years, Duty Free Philippines has always taken the great strides to ensure that its…
DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat leads oath-taking ceremony Officers and Directors of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) for 2019-2020 took their Oath of Office on March 11 at the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Makati City. DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, as inducting officer, administered the oath and bore witness to the organization’s promise…
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) and the Municipality of Puerto Galera, will be holding the Inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race on April 17 to 21, 2019. The race will start in RHKYC’s Kellett Island Clubhouse located in Causeway Bay, racing for…
Water supply concessionaire Manila Water on Monday, March 18, apologized to its customers for the unexpected water service interruptions that affected many households in Metro Manila and Rizal province. Manila Water Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ferdinand de la Cruz appeared before the congressional hearing to take responsibility for the water shortage that affected most of…
