Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
After months of hearings, two committees of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 15, cleared former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the issue regarding the 2016 dengue vaccination program and the use of the controversial vaccine Dengvaxia. The Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chaired by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel…
Former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo denied all corruption allegations hurled at her regarding the 60 million-peso advertisement deal with PTV4 at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, August 14. “With confidence, I can say that there’s nothing illegal in the said contract,” Tulfo-Teo said. The former tourism secretary testified before the Senate Blue…
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Friday, August 10 said that the different perspectives concerning the shift to a federal government were part of the “continuing discourse” on the issue. “We view the differences of opinion on federalism as part of the continuing discourse, even among members of the president’s official family, which the chief…
FOLLOWING the viral federalism video of Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO)’s Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with Drew Olivar, officials were quick to comment on the said video. In a report from The Manila Times, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that President Rodrigo Duterte was ‘cool’ with the said video. Roque noted that the…
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday, August 7, sought the urgent amendment of the 1987 Constitution as she called for the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene into a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss). In a report from The Manila Times, Arroyo filed House Resolution No. 2056 that pushes for the two chambers to…
President Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio,won’t seek a national position. “Ang anak ko, si Inday, I can tell you I know her. Hindi magtatakbo ‘yan ng national. Ganun lang ‘yan (My daughter, Inday. She won’t seek a national post. She’s just like that),” the president said. Duterte…
Despite previous remarks stating a visit to the United States was dependent on scheduling, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he cannot go to the country because of the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines associated with his administration. “I cannot go to America, I am not sure America would be ready for that. The past Congress…
US jury indicts Napoles, kin for domestic, int’l money laundering FOLLOWING an indictment by a United States federal grand jury this week, Janet Lim-Napoles will not be extradited to the country while she faces trial in the Philippines. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday, August 2 said Napoles can only be extradited after her plunder…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) extends its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Gaia Trimarchi. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo – Puyat has given the instruction to extend DOT’s full assistance and provide swift response to urgent matters pertaining to the incident such as measures ensuring the safety and security of tourists in the…
A UNITED States federal grand jury this week charged Janet Lim-Napoles and five of her family members for allegedly transferring around $20 million U.S. dollars to purchase real-estate properties, luxury vehicles, and business shares. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California indicted Janet Lim-Napoles; her children Jo Christine, 34, James Christopher, 33,…
MALACANANG responded to former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s criticism saying that he shares the blame in the culture of impunity for his failure in addressing media killings during his term. “I wish he did more also in protecting human life,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. This was after Aquino on Monday, July 30, publicly…
MALACAÑANG said on Monday, July 30, that it will let the legal process run on the controversy involving radio personalities Ben and Raffy Tulfo and former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo in connection with the P60 million worth of government paid advertisements aired on the People’s Television Network (PTV). Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque…
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, July 30, told lawmakers that the second version of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) will not impose new taxes. “TRAIN 2 is different so there is no need to be afraid,” Roque said. Roque said that senators running this upcoming election might not want to be linked…
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Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s election as speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday, July 23, not only surprised the entire nation, but also posed as a grave threat to the existence of the ruling party Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). In a Manila Times report, an unknown source revealed that members plan on bolting…
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election as Speaker of the House of representatives was slammed by her critics on Tuesday, July 24, as they claimed it might be part of a plan to put her back at the top as prime minister. The coup that Arroyo and her allies pulled on Monday, July 23, to topple…
Alabado started his government career as a faculty member of the University of the Philippines- Mindanao teaching Urban and Regional Planning. He was part of the local government of Davao City as the City Planning and Development Coordinator under then Mayor Sara Duterte (2010-2013), before joining the Department of Tourism (DOT) as Regional Director for Region XI from 2015…
FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa is keeping his options open as he looks forward to the 2019 elections. Dela Rosa clarified to reporters on Tuesday night, July 17, that “Senator Bato” is still a possibility, following reports saying he would run for governor of Davao del Sur after transferring his voter…
Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday, July 17, was reprimanded by the Supreme Court (SC) for the public statements she issued earlier on the quo warranto case. Justices of the high court voted unanimously to cite Sereno in contempt and penalize her with a “reprimand” that also carries a warning of harsher punishment…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, July 17, led the groundbreaking ceremony of two China-funded bridges with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and other officials in Intramuros, Manila. The projects cost over P5 billion, but the country is not expected to spend on having the bridges built as the grants are coming from China….
MANILA, July 13, 2018 – The World Bank maintains its 6.7 percent growth forecast for 2018 and 2019 despite rising global uncertainty. Considering recent economic data, the composition of expected growth was revised as compared to the April edition of the World Bank Philippines Economic Update. Given recent fiscal trends, government consumption growth was revised…
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, July 10, gave President Rodrigo Duterte a high grade on his war on illegal drugs. “I would give him about 8.5. A lot more has to be done,” Roque told reporters in Cavite when he was asked to give his rating regarding the government’s war on drugs. According to…
Possible free trade agreement discussions not needed to be ‘fast-tracked’ The Trump administration imposed its first wave of tariffs against China less than a week ago after confirming that the U.S. would start collecting tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods. Another $16 billion worth of tariffs are expected to follow. Describing the U.S.’…
The president will reject the possibility for a term extension, acknowledging the possibility of a truncated three-year presidential term to end in 2019 Amid considering a possible presidential term extension, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants the leader of the federal transition government to be an elected official, Malacañang confirmed on Monday, July 9. The Consultative…
After U.S. President Donald Trump’s historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month, could a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte be next? United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim this week said the U.S. government is set on facilitating Duterte’s visit to Washington. “As you know, President Trump has already invited…
One of the main factors for the 25 percent decline in Metro Manila’s crime rate in the first half of 2018 is the government’s war on drugs, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) cited. Metro crime incidence has been reduced under the government’s Oplan Tokhang, an anti-illegal drugs campaign spearheaded by the Philippine National…
The Philippine economy is “bound to be one of the fastest, if not the fastest-growing economy in the fastest-growing region in the world,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday, June 27. He disputed President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that the country’s economy is “in the doldrums” and pointed out that economic data showed that the…
GOVERNMENT lawyers remained steadfast in their opposition to the petition seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in the Philippines. According to Solicitor General Jose Calida, the petition should be dismissed due to lack of merit. “Same-sex couples can live happily together but they cannot demand that the state recognize same-sex marriages because the Constitution doesn’t allow…
President Rodrigo Duterte, on Monday, June 25, remained resolute in his belief that God is “stupid” but clarified that he was insulting the God of his critics. “Your God is not my God because your God is stupid,” Duterte said during oath-taking ceremonies for village officials in Cagayan de Oro City. “Mine has a lot…
Malacañang said on Monday, June 25, that it would not support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) proposal to make drug tests mandatory for students as young as 10 years old, siding with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) stance that such testings are unconstitutional. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that no mandatory drug tests would…
