Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 14, released the infamous list of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Duterte read the list compiled by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) out loud during the National Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City. It was broadcasted…
A recent Social Weather Stations survey (SWS) on Wednesday, March 13, revealed that the number of adult Filipinos who use the internet rose to 47 percent last quarter, a six-point increase from 41 percent in September 2018. Adult Filipinos aged 18 to 24 use the internet the most at 88 percent, followed by ages 25…
The Pasig City prosecutor’s office has concluded its preliminary investigation on Philippine online news platform Rappler regarding its alleged violation of the country’s anti-dummy law. In 2018, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) submitted a complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Rappler for its alleged violation of the Commonwealth Act 108 otherwise known…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, March 13, announced he will be firing another set of government officials over corruption issues. “I will be firing another set of officials. I’m sorry. Mahirap kasi (It’s difficult). Iyan lang ano ko if you want to help me run the government at yung programa ko. You know, ako…
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday, March 13, said Malacañang is crafting an executive order (EO) as parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province continue to struggle with the water shortage. He said the proposed measure was relayed to him by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. “The water sector management will be more defined because…
The meeting of lawmakers with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte failed to resolve the conflict of the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed that the members of the two legislative members had dialogue but failed to arrive at a consensus on the…
President spokesman Salvador Panelo responded to criticism surrounding his comment about alleged wiretapped intelligence reports from foreign governments, by saying that it was a mere “educated guess.” The spokesperson and chief legal counsel said that his claim was “an educated guess on what is happening in the world today. Countries whose survival depends on measures…
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Soc Villegas on Tuesday, March 5, posted a video compilation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s accusations and tirades against the church over the past two years, a day shy of the supposed start of Lenten season. In an eight-minute video posted on Facebook, Villegas showed clips of Duterte hurling vulgarity and curses towards…
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed on Tuesday, March 5, that 64 out of 82 politicians in the yet-to-be-released “narcolist” are vying for reelection this upcoming midterm polls. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino stated that the said politicians were all aiming for a local seat this election. He confirmed the number with the list…
MANILA — Hugpong ng Pagbabago head Sara Duterte-Carpio responded to criticism that their candidate Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos wasn’t honest about her supposed university degrees. “Lahat sila sinungaling. Lahat ng tao sa mundong ito [ay] sinungaling (All of them [Otso Diretso] are liars. Everyone in this world is a liar),” Duterte-Carpio told reporters covering a…
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, March 5, countered Foreign Secretary ’s pronouncement about the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). Locsin stated “in vagueness lies the best deterrence” on the decades-old defense agreement between the Philippines and the U.S.. This was during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday,…
More lawmakers on Monday, March 4, expressed their disapproval on Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año’s plan to publish President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of narco-politicians. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that the DILG must just directly contact the politicians on the list and place them under investigation instead of disclosing…
A survey released on Friday, March 1, revealed that 78 percent or almost 4 out of 5 Filipinos are worried that they, or someone they know, will be a victim of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the midst of the current administration’s war against illegal drugs. The survey, which was conducted by polling firm Social Weather…
THE number of measles cases in the Philippines has skyrocketed within the first two months of this year according to health experts and government officials. As of Saturday, March 2, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) reported 16,349 measles cases and 261 resulting deaths since the beginning of this year. Most measles cases came from…
Malacañang on Monday, March 4, said it’s leaving the decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on whether to submit a diplomatic protest to stop Chinese vessels from driving away Filipinos from fishing grounds close to the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the government…
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ landmark investment deal with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline group, was finalized this week. ANA Holdings on Thursday, February 28 completed the acquisition of a 9.5-percent stake in the operator of PAL, PAL Holdings disclosed in a stock exchange filing. The deal involved 1.1 billion shares of PAL Holdings,…
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to shut down PLDT Inc. if it does not expand the citizens’ complaint hotline by at least one more trunk line for frontline government services. Speaking at a PDP-Laban campaign rally in Cebu City on Sunday, February 24, Duterte urged everyone to report any act of corruption seen committed by…
STATEMENT ON WASHINGTON POST’S ARTICLE 25 February 2019 We take strong exception to the article entitled, “This is Manila” that appeared on the front page of the Washington Post on 25 February 2019. It is disappointing how this article hides behind the guise of journalism to advance an agenda that seeks to discredit the Philippines…
A HUMAN rights lawyers group urged the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday, February 26, to dismiss the cyber libel complaint against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and co-accused, former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos. The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), along with former Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Theodore Te, filed a motion to quash the…
A COPY of a resolution suggesting Senator Antonio Trillanes IV be charged for inciting to sedition was made public on Tuesday, February 26. The resolution, dated Jan. 29, 2019, was released by Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado. Labor Undersecretary Jing Paras and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna filed sedition raps against Trillanes for his “incendiary…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Monday, February 25, that all political decisions in the country are orchestrated by his daughter — Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. “Even in politics. She is [the] one orchestrating, not me anymore. She practically ignores me,” Duterte said in his speech at the first national assembly of the Liga…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, February 23, during a Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP-Laban) event that he has kept all his campaign promises except fixing the traffic in the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). “Wala akong pangako na hindi ko natupad except ‘yang EDSA (There is no promise I haven’t fulfilled except for the…
Political analyst say nothing much has changed, FVR skips leap As the entire nation commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) on Monday, February 25, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to uphold democracy in high regard. “Let us never forget the sacrifice of those…
Immigration laws will be fully enforced against illegal foreign workers in the Philippines, Malacañang announced on Monday, February 25. This was issued after President Rodrigo Duterte drew flak for saying he cannot deport Chinese workers in the Philippines because there are illegal Filipino workers who also benefit from China. In a statement, presidential spokesman Salvador…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, February 24, said that now is the most dangerous time to be involved in illegal drugs. People who profit off of narcotics should find another income source or they will lose their lives quickly, the president added. “Don’t ever enter into that. Those who haven’t tried it yet, don’t… You’ll…
Lee Kum Kee Announces Filipina Celebrity Karla Estrada as its New Ambassador Manila, 26 February 2019 – With a glorious history of over 130 years, Lee Kum Kee has become an international household name and a symbol of quality and trust, spicing up Filipinos’ kitchens with its celebrated sauces and condiments. Today, Lee Kum Kee…
Malacañang on Thursday, February 21 said Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray should be educated on what the bill seeking to lower the age of criminal responsibility entails. This response comes after Gray, who is in the Philippines for her official homecoming, spoke up about her concerns over the bill that seeks to change the age…
The United States-Philippine Society (USPS) has urged American business ventures to invest in the infrastructure sector of the Philippines because of the “strong human infrastructure” that the country can offer. USPS President John Maisto said that despite the Philippines being an economically developing nation, it boasts of having a firm human infrastructure that constitutes sectors…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, once again lashed out on the Catholic clergy amid the Vatican sex abuse summit which started last Thursday, February 21, to Sunday, February 24. “Was I wrong all along? I told you so,” Duterte gloated as he proved that he was right when he criticized the clergy…
Social news network Rappler and its management on Wednesday, February 20, wrote to both Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar asking them to lift the cover ban imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte the year before. “We ask you to lift [the ban] and allow Rappler full access to the media coverage…
