Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
The government has targeted to lift 1 million Filipinos out of poverty every year, Malacañang said Tuesday, October 22. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed fewer Filipino families labeled themselves poor. The survey showed 42 percent or some 10.3 million Filipino families consider themselves poor…
Russia Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev on Tuesday, October 22, said Russia wants to build a long-term strategic cooperation with the Philippines, with defense and security as a key area of cooperation both countries wish to expand. “We are ready to supply our sophisticated technologies in order to help your country develop your own…
Malacañang on Wednesday, October 23, vowed that President Rodrigo Duterte will disclose to the public the result of his medical consultation after concerns were raised due to the chief executive’s motorcycle accident last week and an abbreviated trip to Japan. Duterte’s visit to Japan was cut short on Tuesday, October 22, because of an “unbearable”…
A recent study revealed that the retirement or pension system of the Philippines is the 4th lowest out of 36 countries. According to the 2019 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index — which takes into consideration the pension system’s sustainability, adequacy, and integrity — the Philippines had an overall index value of 43.7, placing it above…
A study conducted by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) found that the Philippines has the “fastest growing epidemic” of the sexually transmitted disease, with a 203 percent rise in new HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections from 2010 to 2018. Worldwide HIV cases, on the other hand, declined by at least 18 percent. Only…
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to boost tourism in the Philippines as it simultaneously mounts the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICE Buyers Invitational (MICECONnect) 2019 on October 20 to 27 to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination for…
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are both well-known basketball leagues, but they are worlds apart. One is the best in the world, a lucrative enterprise with 30 teams each worth at least a billions dollars, with the New York Knicks the NBA’s most valuable franchise at $4 billion. The lowest…
SENATOR Leila De Lima on Thursday, October 17, listed the names of the people behind her detention in 2017 at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center after two American senators proposed to deny U.S. visas to those supposedly responsible for her imprisonment. De Lima, who is a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war…
Malacañang on Monday, October 14, assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is healthy following his revelation that he has myasthenia gravis, a chronic auto-immune neuromuscular disorder that affects the muscles in his eyes and limits his ability to control eye movement. “It’s not life threatening, it depends on the degree. Saka nag-mumura pa siya…
Based on senators’ latest statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Senator Cynthia Villar remains to be the richest member of the Philippine Senate, while Senator Leila de Lima is the poorest. As of June 30, 2019, Villar posted a net worth of P3,534,412,797 — a figure that is P185.52 million less than her…
The number of Filipinos satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s performance as chief executive saw a slight dip in the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released this week. The survey released on Wednesday, October 9, conducted from Sept. 27 to 30, revealed that 78% of adult Filipinos were satisfied with Duterte’s performance….
Philippine Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday, October 10, gave the public reassurance that former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo is not being manipulated. Amid the ongoing Supreme Court deliberations on the case, the chief justice told reporters that a decision may come soon. “This is something I can…
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Friday, October 11, said alleged “drug queen” Guia Gomez-Castro will face murder and drug charges. A murder case has been filed against Castro following a confession from an anonymous witness that Castro allegedly ordered the killing of a “ninja cop” or an officer…
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Philippines a “very important partner of Russia” during the bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Sochi on Thursday, October 3. “I would like to highlight that the Philippines is a very important partner of Russia in Asia. Our bilateral cooperation is constructive and mutually beneficial but our friendly…
HIV in the Philippines is spreading faster than any other country in the world, and health advocates are saying that dating apps — along with the lack of education — may be part of the problem. Citing numbers by the United Nations’ AIDS agency, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the estimated number of…
The Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday, October 4, called for the implementation of the 2018 Anti-Hazing Act so “cruel and inhumane” hazing-related incidents would end. “It is clear that the longer strict criminalization is delayed the more danger our students are in,” lawyer Jacqueline de Guia, CHR spokesperson, said. Initiation rites drew…
THE Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, October 3, said it is preparing the suspension and dismissal papers of Guia Gomez Castro, a former barangay official who is allegedly tied to illegal drugs. “Since technically she is a barangay official, the DILG is now preparing for her suspension and dismissal…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 1, said that it is impossible to stop hazing, advising those who are in fraternities to “just don’t overdo it.” “To be frank about it, you cannot eliminate [hazing]. Just don’t overdo it,” he said during a press conference before leaving for Russia on Tuesday evening. “I really can’t…
THE Bureau of Fire Protection on Wednesday, October 2, said the fire that hit the Star City amusement park in Pasay City may have been caused by electrical overload or arson. Pasay City Fire Marshall Superintendent Paul Pili also said firefighters are wondering why different areas of the amusement park seemed to have caught fire…
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 1, transmitted the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 to the Senate ahead of the month-long break beginning Oct. 4 for its consideration and approval. According to Deputy Speaker Neptali M. Gonzales II of Mandaluyong City, the spending plan is “pork-free,” inviting the Senate to “see for themselves.”…
Malacañang on Monday, September 30, said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Agriculture (DAR) to stop the spread of African swine fever. “Contain it, stop it,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, quoting Duterte’s order to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, when he was asked for a reaction in regard to the confirmed cases of the…
Malacañang on Thursday, September 26, dismissed Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s warning that China would reclaim Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, maintaining that President Rodrigo Duterte wouldn’t permit any assault on Philippine sovereignty. According to Carpio, China would push for the signing of a code of conduct for South China Sea claimants after reclaiming the…
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday, September 30, pointed out that the proposal of two United States senators to bar the entry on American soil of Philippine officials involved in Sen. Leila De Lima’s detention came from the minority of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. “That ban is just a proposal in a Senate committee…
Davao City – City mayors expressed their gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte following the latter’s announcement that he is exploring options for local governments to immediately avail their share of the national revenue as ruled by the Supreme Court in the petition filed by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas. President Duterte’s statement was met with a…
A new generation of tycoons entered Forbes magazine’s 2019 Philippines Rich list on Wednesday, September 25, with the children of late tycoon Henry Sy nabbing the top spot with their combined net worth of $17.2 billion. The Sy siblings — Teresita (Sy-Coson), Elizabeth, Henry “Big Boy” Jr., Hans, Herbert, and Harley — replaced their father…
UNITED States Senator Dick Durbin on Friday, September 27, lauded the US Senate Appropriations Committee for passing an amendment that seeks to ban the entry into the U.S. of Philippine government officials involved in the “politically-motivated” detention of Philippine senator Leila De Lima. Durbin, who was among the U.S. senators that called for the release…
BROADCAST and online journalists are now covered by a bill protecting journalists from being forced to disclose their sources. According to a copy of the measure made public by Malacañang on Wednesday, September 25, Republic Act (RA) No. 11458, an amendment to RA No. 53 or the Sotto law, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte…
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Tuesday, September 24, said President Rodrigo Duterte will evaluate his directive suspending aid agreements with countries in favor of the Iceland-led resolution seeking a probe into the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs. This is after the defense department made an appeal to exempt military deals from Duterte’s memorandum. “The president…
“Trojan Horse.” That’s what opposition senator Leila De Lima on Friday, September 20, called the signed agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and China-led Mislatel Consortium, now called Dito Telecommunity. “Any time now, this Trojan Horse will be knocking on the gates of different facilities and expose our other vulnerabilities,” she said…
FILIPINOS remain satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s three-year war on illegal drugs, a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed. The poll, conducted from June 22 to 26, found 82% of adult Filipinos satisfied with the government’s anti-narcotics campaign. Those dissatisfied accounted for 12% and 6% were undecided — resulting in a net satisfaction score…
