Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
VICE President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, November 19, said her work continues as the administration’s anti-drug czar despite not being a Cabinet member. Her statement came following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement he was not allowing Robredo to join his Cabinet, expressing concern over Robredo possibly disclosing sensitive information discussed during Cabinet meetings to various groups….
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) needs a new permanent chief by January next year to sign documents required for procurement of equipments, its spokesperson said on Tuesday, November 19. “Pagpasok ng bagong taon, para sa pagsimula ng ating procurement, ay kinakailangan na magkaroon na tayo ng bagong Chief PNP. Dahil kung may anumang bagong kontrata…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, November 18, clarified that Vice President Leni Robredo is not a Cabinet member despite her appointment as the administration’s anti-drug czar. The president made this statement after revealing his concerns that Robredo might disclose sensitive information discussed during Cabinet meetings to various groups. “She is not a member of the…
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday, November 15, expressed her support for Vice President Leni Robredo’s plan to use a public health approach in her fight against illegal drugs, saying that the government is in need of a health-based and rights-based drug law enforcement approach to stop the country’s drug problem. “This is not a contest…
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, November 13, said he fully supports Vice President Leni Robredo’s request for additional funds in the fight against illegal drugs. “I, as a legislator, fully support whatever is needed to help us achieve our objective of eliminating drugs,” he said. According to the senator, 82% of Filipinos support the…
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, November 13, said President Rodrigo Duterte is still looking for an honest official that would be appointed chief of the Philippine National Police. No new PNP has been appointed by Duterte after former police chief Oscar Albayalde went on terminal leave on October 14 prior to his retirement on…
Malacañang on Tuesday, November 12, dismissed Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s comment about the government’s P9.2-trillion Build, Build, Build project being a “dismal failure,” saying it was “baseless.” “Senator Frank, look at the administration you previously belonged, 6 years not a single infrastructure na nagawa (was done),” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. He also cited…
The Duterte administration has supported three out of the last four United Nations resolutions to ensure the safety of journalists amid heightened risks members of the media are facing globally, including the Philippines. A report of Article 19, a British human rights organization with a specific mandate and focus on the defense and promotion of…
Palace says VP can scrap ‘tokhang’, ICC still has no jurisdiction Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday, November 11, met with the officials of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for a briefing on the strategies that other countries employ in fighting illegal drugs. “I can’t disclose to you all the details…
PASAY – Country’s Largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference, and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises – the Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference [PHILSME] opened once again for its 9th edition today, November 12, 2019 at Function Room 4 of the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony…
Malacañang on Wednesday, November 6, said the Philippine government would file a protest over China’s reported firing of warning flares against a Philippine military aircraft patrolling the West Philippine (South China) Sea, saying such action is “provocative.” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, would fire a diplomatic protest…
Justice Undersecretary for Immigrations Markk Perete on Friday, November 1, said new deportation rules stating that a foreigner ordered to be deported have to leave the country after 30 days — even if it’s on appeal will soon be issued by the Philippine justice department. “After 30 days of receipt of deportation order, unless stayed…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, November 4, told Western countries to stop shipping their garbage marked as “recyclables” to developing Asian countries, listing the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia among the nations that have become dumping grounds for hazardous trash from the West. “If we are talking about improving the ecology of the place, the environment,…
SURIGAO CITY –Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Myra Paz V. Abubakar said the newly-inaugurated Battle of Surigao Strait Memorial and Museum in this city will serve as a major tourist attraction, as well as a special educational experience for the young generation. The historical landmark, perched on a ridge with a breathtaking view…
A TOTAL of 23 people have died from the earthquakes that have struck areas of Mindanao since mid-October, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest report. Released on Friday, November 1, the numbers said seven were killed on October 16, when a 6.3 magnitude quake struck the northeast portion…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte plans on giving Vice President Leni Robredo a Cabinet secretary rank as the administration’s drug czar to show the seriousness of his previous offer, Malacañang on Thursday, October 31. Under the drug czar position, Robredo would oversee all bureaus and agencies involved with the enforcement of the law on prohibited drugs…
A Filipino and seven Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday, November 1 for allegedly trying to kidnap a Chinese man at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Based on the report by Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group, the victim, who was identified as Zhouzeng Lin, was meeting with…
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in its latest situation report released Wednesday, October 30, said that 1,681 families or 8,402 people in Mindanao have been affected by the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that hit Cotabato on Tuesday, October 29. According to NDRRMC, those who were displaced are from Kidapawan, Mlang, and Tulunan…
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday, October 29, listed the Philippines among the 13 countries that make up the world’s worst impunity offenders. According to its 2019 Global Impunity Index, Somalia is the world’s worst country for the fifth year in a row based on unsolved journalist deaths as a percentage of each…
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday, October 28, said China is not threatening to go to war with the Philippines over resources in the South China Sea. His statement came after British journalist Bill Hayton questioned his tweet saying that China does not need the Philippines’ oil and gas reserves in the contested…
The spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo insisted Wednesday, October 30, that the administration could not be serious about its offer of a drug czar post since the invitation was merely sent through mobile text. According to lawyer and former lawmaker Barry Gutierrez, Malacañang and presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo are merely messing with Robredo, who’s…
Last September 25, 2019, the officers and members of the Batangas City-Sto.Nino Devotees Association led by President Romel Chozas paid a courtesy call on City of Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan. The association extended to Mayor Sampayan an invitation to be the guest of honor in its 40th Annual Fiesta celebration in homage to the Sto….
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, October 28, said that he would surrender his powers to enforce the law and hand it over to Vice President Leni Robredo for six months, following Robredo’s remark that his war against illegal drugs is “obviously, not working.” According to the president, he would send a letter to Robredo through…
CAMIGUIN, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday lauded the province of Camiguin for reaping not only the sweetest harvests of lanzones in the country but also for garnering a national award. Now on its 40th run, the Lanzones Festival is sweeter this time around as the collaborative efforts of the locals and…
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, October 24, told newly appointed Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta to be fair and truthful as head of the Supreme Court (SC). According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte relayed his message to Peralta after he formally swore him in at Malacañang on Wednesday, October 23. in closed-door ceremonies, with no…
Malacañang on Friday, October 25, dismissed calls to release a medical bulletin of President Rodrigo Duterte’s condition since the Constitution only requires a health dispatch in case of a “serious illness.” Duterte’s visit to Japan on Tuesday, October 22, was cut short because of an “unbearable” pain in his spine and pelvic area following a…
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, October 24, assured the public that eating pork products contaminated with African swine fever (ASF) does not affect human health. “It is completely safe. It has no effect on human health. It is safe for human consumption,” said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo. “Those threatened by (ASF) are…
ASSOCIATE Justice Diosdado Peralta on Wednesday, October 23, was named as the new chief justice by President Rodrigo Duterte, replacing Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who retired from the tribunal on Oct. 18. “We are certain that with Chief Justice Peralta at the helm of the Supreme Court, the Judiciary will continue to be well-managed as…
Malacañang on Thursday, October 24, said President Rodrigo Duterte was advised by his doctor to take a rest after he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical evaluation on Wednesday, Oct. 23. “He was diagnosed to be having muscle spasms causing what he described to be an unbearable pain at the pelvic and spinal…
A bill that seeks to repeal the crime of offending religious feelings, of which the late artist and activist Carlos Celdran was found guilty of, has been filed by Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman. If passed into law, House Bill (HB) No. 5170 — which would repeal Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code…
