Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Tuesday, February 19, that he has signed a total of 20 laws including the Mobile Number Portability Act that would permit “qualified subscribers” to keep their mobile number should they decide to change their network provider. The newly signed law, otherwise known as the Republic Act 11202 or the…
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday, February 18, said key officials from the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) are in Europe for the Press Freedom Caravan. He said those officials will use their time there to clarify issues confronting the government such as involuntary disappearances and anti-communist terrorist groups, as well as tell the…
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, February 19, junked four petitions challenging the constitutionality of the martial law extension in Mindanao. The legality of the extension was upheld by the justices in session with a voting of 9-4. The petitions against the third extension were from opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the…
THE Sandiganbayan Third Division began the trial of former Senate President on Tuesday, February 19, for the plunder and graft case against him due to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The case was filed more than four years ago but Enrile failed to appear at most of the recent hearings because…
Local human rights group Karapatan on Monday, February 18, criticized the government’s move to delist over 600 cases of enforced and involuntary disappearances in the Philippines, calling it “an extension of a grave injustice”. “This can only be an extension of the grave injustice that the kin of desaparecidos have gone through and fueling impunity…
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, February 19, warned that he will “kill” anyone who asks applicants for a birth certificate as a requirement for passport renewal. The DFA chief made the statement after a netizen on Twitter asked him if the document was still needed for renewing passports. “Sir…
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the parents on Tuesday, February 12, to isolate their infants below six months old if there is a measles outbreak in the community. Duque explained that it is still dangerous for infants aged five months and below to acquire a measles immunization shot since…
renowned Filipina photojournalist Maria Ressa of Rappler was arrested at the paper’s headquarters on suspicion of “cyber libel” by the Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, February 13. Ressa, a former CNN bureau chief and current CEO of Rappler, claimed her stake as a lead critic against President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration, providing damning…
AS the 90-day campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates started on Tuesday, February 12, Malacañang informed the public that it is lawful for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to engage in partisan activities. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that while the Article XXII Section 261 (i) known as the Prohibited Acts of the Omnibus Election…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds the initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in urging all Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure the accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs). In its Memorandum Circular No. 2019-17, DILG reiterates the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9593 or Tourism…
FILIPINA journalist Maria Ressa, founder of Philippine-based news site Rappler, has been hit with a new “cyber libel” lawsuit this week, in what human rights groups say is another move against free press in the country. The Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, February 6 said it approved the indictment of Ressa and former Rappler…
Death toll reaches 72 OVER 70 people have died from measles, the Philippines’ Department of Health said on Friday, February 8, a few days after it declared a nationwide outbreak of the contagious virus. DOH Spokesperson Enrique Domingo said that the 72 casualties were among the 2,000 cases of measles in areas across the country,…
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared on Wednesday, February 6, that the second leg of plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Mindanao was successful despite the bombings in Lanao del Norte. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said that despite the security concerns in the two voting areas— Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, the voter…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, February 6, released the decision indicting Rappler Incorporated, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive editor Maria Ressa, and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel for a story published in May 2012. In the resolution dated on January 10, obtained by Rappler on February 4, and…
THE Philippines’ House of Representatives withdrew its approval of the reimposed death penalty for convicted offenders found in possession of illegal drugs during parties, social gatherings and meetings on Wednesday, February 6. Assistant Majority Leader and Zamboanga Sibugay First District Rep. Wilter Palma II made a motion to reconsider the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of…
The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday, February 6, that the government will no longer issue work permits to foreign nationals who want to be employed as construction workers, cashiers, janitors and carpenters. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the bureau would tighten the requirements and procedures on the issuance of special and provisional…
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) announced that 55 children have died due to the measles outbreak in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, February 6. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III declared the outbreak of the highly contagious disease due to a 550 percent increase of patients — with a total of 169 cases…
Manila, Philippines – Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) hosted its 18th annual Chinese New Year celebration at the Duty Free Luxe in Pasay City today. DFPC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio A. Angala, wife Maria Salome Angala, Tourism Attaché to Beijing, China Tomasito Umali, and renowned author and journalist Jullie Yap Daza led the…
Heads were turned on Sunday, February 2 when a Rodrigo Duterte impersonator walked into a Hong Kong church frequented by many of the city’s Filipino community members during a mass service. By his side was an uncanny doppelganger of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. Impersonating Duterte was 57-year-old Filipino Cresencio Estremos Jr., who also…
Following temporary US ban on Filipino workers THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is reminding Filipinos abroad to follow immigration rules after the United States imposed a temporary one-year ban on new Filipino migrant workers. The department said that Filipinos living abroad — especially those in the U.S. — must “follow immigration rules and…
PHILIPPINES’ Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) is planning to take legal action against JoyRulBee in China for trademark infringement after a photo of the latter restaurant — bearing the same store design and color motif — made its rounds all over the internet. “Our legal team has been taking the necessary steps in order to protect…
Following an announcement by the U.S. last week that imposed a one-year ban on new Filipino migrant workers starting this year, the Philippines said that it may ask the U.S. to reconsider the decision if it finds that there is no basis for the ban. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a notification…
SRI LANKAN President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday, January 16, expressed his admiration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to eliminate illegal drugs in the country, noting that he aspires to “follow his footsteps.” “The war against crime and drugs carried out by you is an example to the whole world and, personally, to me. The…
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on January 14 filed a measure legalizing “absolute divorce” in the country. Under Senate Bill 2134 or Divorce Act of 2018, legal separation may be filed by couples if the marriage is marred by “physical violence and grossly abusive conduct.” While the State continues to recognize the sanctity of family life and…
SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday, January 15, said she believes in medical cannabis, and has used cannabis medical patches before. “I am an author of that [medical marijuana bill]. I really believe in medical cannabis. As you know, I have my problem here and when I’m in a country that allows it, I put a…
Malacañang on Monday, January 14 said President Rodrigo Duterte would respect the “people’s call” on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). This announcement comes a week before a plebiscite in parts of Mindanao on whether or not to ratify the measure. “What is important and certain is that the president will abide by whatever the will…
A COMMANDER has been sacked from his position on a U.S. Navy submarine after he admitted that he hired female prostitutes while he was in the Philippines on March 2018. In a report from Kitsap Sun on Friday, January 11, United States Ship (USS) Bremerton commander Captain Travis Zettel was removed from his post in…
Malacañang on Monday, January 14 said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV must have been referring to himself when he called President Rodrigo Duterte “crazy,” shrugging off the opposition senator’s tirades against the chief executive. Trillanes last week accused Duterte of overturning the country’s justice system after a new criminal charge had been filed against the senator…
ACCORDING to the most recent Pulse Asia survey, President Rodrigo Duterte is still the highest rated and most trusted top government official in the last quarter of 2018. The poll released Friday, January 11 was conducted from December 14 to 21, 2018, and revealed Duterte posting an 81 percent approval rating, up by six percentage…
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, January 8. said that despite the plans made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it is still impossible to end the communist insurgency this year. “We cannot do it (end insurgency) this year because that is a big problem,” Lorenzana admitted during the sidelines of Tuesday’s joint…
