Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in Metro-Manila for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Malacañang has responded to former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s claims that accused President Rodrigo Duterte was behind her removal, calling for him to resign. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the Palace “refrained from commenting” about Sereno’s call but said the ousted chief justice has been engaging in political grandstanding. “The former top magistrate…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, May 16, denied any involvement in the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno by the Supreme Court (SC). Voting 8 to 6, the SC granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno due to her supposed failure to submit all her Statements of Assets,…
The impeachment complaint against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will only be thrown out once the Supreme Court (SC) rules with finality on her quo warranto case, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said on Tuesday, May 15. Members of the Coalition for Justice (CFJ) headed to the Senate to restate their call on the…
The Philippines is not giving up its sovereignty rights in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, May 15. “We are not giving up our rights in the West Philippine Sea. As a matter of fact, we are still insisting until now,” he said on board BRP Davao del Sur in Casiguran…
MANILA — A mood of renewed hope and confidence filled the main offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Belair, Makati City as some 500 employees warmly welcomed newly-appointed DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on her first day at the helm. Puyat took her oath of office administered by President Rodrigo…
On Sunday, May 13, Malacañang expressed sorrow over the passing of former Senate President Edgardo Angara, grieving with Angara’s family. “We mourn the sudden passing of one of our great leaders and statesmen, Senate President Edgardo Angara, who died at age 83,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M….
Several senators disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling it a violation of the Constitution, warning of its repercussions on the rule of law. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto maintained that “you can only remove the Chief Justice through impeachment,” saying the decision is a bad precedent….
THE Philippine Supreme Court on Friday, May 11 voted to oust its first female chief justice who has been critical of the country’s President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial war on drugs. Resulting from an 8-6 vote, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was removed from the country’s highest court on the grounds that she allegedly…
Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat revealed President Rodrigo Duterte’s first instruction for her was to maintain a “no corruption” policy as she takes over the department that was recently involved in a P60-million advertising deal controversy. “My only instruction from the President when he offered it and then I accepted – he said, ‘Congratulations! All…
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – ‘Anak’, the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) answer to the question why ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines?’ bagged three awards at the inaugural YouTube Ads Awards Philippines. The minute-long ad featuring the ‘fun’ in Filipino family and hospitality was adjudged Best in Overall Performance, Creative, and Media by a six-man panel of…
AFTER two months of being on leave, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno returned to work on Wednesday, May 9, after preparations for her impeachment trial at the Senate have finally been completed. Wearing a pink belted dress, Sereno was defiant and unfazed as she went to her office amid the rumor that the majority of…
Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat revealed President Rodrigo Duterte’s first instruction for her was to maintain a “no corruption” policy as she takes over the department that was recently involved in a P60-million advertising deal controversy. “My only instruction from the President when he offered it and then I accepted – he said, ‘Congratulations! All…
President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed Tuesday, May 8. “Yes accepted,” Roque said in a text message, when asked if the president has accepted Teo’s resignation. Teo was accused of conflict of interest after state auditors found that the Department of Tourism (DOT) approved…
The Court of Appeals (CA) reversed the ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss and perpetually disqualify from government service former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, Jr. over the construction of the Makati City Hall parking building worth P2.28-billion. In a 159-page decision penned by Associate Justice Edwin Sorongon, the appellate…
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (who is currently on leave) is reported to be packing her things and asking Supreme Court (SC) officials to take care of her staff once she is out of office. According to The Manila Times, well-placed sources in the judiciary said six boxes of documents were brought out of the…
DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (DFPC), the sole government agency that has exclusive franchise to operate duty and tax free shops, is set to open two largest shopping outlets next month — the DFP Luxe Store and the NAIA Terminal 3 Landside Store. “We are delighted to announce our two biggest DFPC shopping destinations for our…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, May 5, thanked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its key role in supporting projects in the country, especially in Mindanao, as he renewed his commitment to improve the plight of ordinary Filipinos through massive infrastructure development with assistance from major financial institutions and investors. In his keynote speech during…
Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, May 3 discredited a report in which an insider was quoted saying that her lead was lessened by 21,000 votes in the ongoing poll recount by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). In the Philippine Star’s report, an insider said Robredo’s lead of 263,473 votes over former Senator Ferdinand…
Malacañang on Thursday, May 3 said there is no reason for Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to resign despite the diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait. “Every Cabinet member, unless they are fired, enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement. In the press…
Six-month closure of world-famous island begins The Philippine government has allotted P448 million in assistance for workers affected by the temporary closure of Boracay island. In a statement on Friday, April 27, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the funds will be used for “emergency employment, livelihood, and training programs for the 6-month…
Malacañang on Friday, April 27, thanked Filipinos for their confidence in President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership. This comes after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing a majority of Filipinos continue to trust the president despite the “unending criticisms and attacks” against him. Based on the poll, three in every four — or 76 percent…
Following the release of the 2017 Bar Examinations, Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, congratulated law graduates who passed one of the country’s hardest licensure exams. Malacañang also encouraged new lawyers to pursue a career in the government, as their “idealism, integrity and competence are most welcome” under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. “We’d like…
THE recently released 2018 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontiéres, RSF) has ranked the Philippines 133 out of 180 countries on the list, citing a “growing animosity” towards journalists in the country. But Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. downplayed the report, saying that the media watchdog also expressed alarm over…
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox to leave the country after it forfeited her missionary visa for engaging in “partisan political activities.” The BI issued its one-page order on Fox on Monday, April 23. Fox was directed to leave the Philippines within 30 days from receipt of the…
The administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will double its efforts to improve the plight of Filipinos, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said on Sunday, April 22. After seeing a drop from in the satisfaction ratings of Duterte’s Cabinet, Malacañang assured that the executive branch will continue to serve the “best interest” of the public…
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) that his press statements on the ongoing recount of votes in the 2016 vice presidential race were mere “observations.” Marcos claimed that he “did not make any comment or disclosure pertaining to the revision proceedings that may be construed as prejudging the issue,…
The Philippines now recognizes a divorce obtained by a Filipino citizen against a foreign spouse outside the country, according to the Supreme Court (SC). In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, April 24, the SC ruled “that a foreign divorce secured by a Filipino against a foreign spouse is also considered valid in the Philippines, even…
European Parliament insists PH should follow due process Malacañang on Friday, April 20, slammed the European Parliament yet again over the latter’s latest resolution urging the Philippine government to stop its anti-illegal drugs campaign that has reportedly claimed about 12,000 lives since mid-2016. Calling the European Parliament’s latest move a form of “interference” into the…
Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to put Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno “on equal footing with other public servants” when deciding on his quo warranto petition against her. In a memorandum submitted to the SC on Friday, April 20, Calida insisted that Sereno’s appointment should be “void” from…
Pulitzer Prizes were once again announced on Monday, April 16, entering the second decade of awarding excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. Among this year’s list of winners was Filipino Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato, who with his colleagues Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall, won a Pulitzer Prize in the…
