Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
THE Philippines ranked third worldwide with the highest incidence of measles over a 12-month period up to June this year with 45,847 cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It noted that, in just the first six months of 2019, the reported cases worldwide were the highest they have been in any year since…
Investigation pushed after rumors of the release of convicted murderer Sanchez AKO Bicol Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Tuesday, August 27, called for a congressional investigation to clarify whether prisoners convicted of heinous crimes should benefit from the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law. In House Resolution (HR) No. 260, which Garbin filed on Tuesday,…
Former Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. posted bail on Friday, August 23 after his arrest for several alleged violations in relation to the now-defunct Banco Filipino. Yasay, along with five other officials, were arrested on Thursday after criminal charges were filed in a Manila court for allegedly violating banking laws. The former secretary…
THE Supreme Court on Friday, August 23, distanced itself from the reported possible release of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, clarifying that it did not order the release of the former mayor. According to SC spokesperson Brian Hosaka, the high court ruled only on the retroactive application of RA 10592, which expanded the application…
THE anti-graft court Sandiganbayan this week dismissed the graft and usurpation charges filed against former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III over the 2015 Mamasapano massacre. In a six-page resolution promulgated on Thursday, August 22, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division dropped the charges upon the request of Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who said that there was no sufficient…
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, August 20, said convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez may walk free out of prison as he becomes one of the 11,000 inmates eligible for release under a new law. According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Sanchez would benefit from the recent ruling issued by the Supreme Court…
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, August 19, defended its proposal to restore the law against subversion. According to DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya, the Duterte administration is different from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, who used the law to prosecute thousands of critics. “This is not the authoritarian…
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday, August 19, ordered the filing of a diplomatic protest against China over the passage of its warships in Philippine waters. In a tweet, Locsin directed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs to file the protest after it was reported by the Armed…
At least 6,847 suspected drug offenders have been killed in alleged shootouts in association with President Rodrigo Duterte’s three-year crackdown on illegal drugs, according to the latest count by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Data from July 1, 2016 to July 31 of this year — presented during the National Summit on Crime Prevention at…
The United States and the Philippines on Thursday, August 15 signed an agreement to establish a P520-million center in the latter country to combat counterterrorism. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde and U.S. Embassy in the Philippines deputy chief of mission John Law signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of their…
PHILIPPINE Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday, August 16, said that employing more traffic management personnel is a top priority to alleviate the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila. According to him, “Round-the-clock and rain-or-shine” supervision of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic personnel over major roads and critical intersections in the capital…
Partido Manggagawa chair Rene Magtubo on Tuesday, August 13, said workers are appealing to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to suspend the impending increase in fees for transactions conducted through banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs). Workers commonly withdraw from ATMs since salaries are now received through them. However, long queues at popular banks force…
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, August 13, said she is keeping her options open regarding the 2022 presidential race. In a Bloomberg article written by Andreo Calozo, Robredo said she was ready for the presidency but would decide later on whether to stand as the opposition Liberal Party’s main candidate in elections three years…
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, August 13, backtracked on his previous statement that he has banned foreign marine surveys in Philippine waters, explaining that the country cannot ban marine surveys under an international sea treaty. In a tweet, he said: “I am reliably informed that under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the…
Malacañang on Monday, August 13, defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance on police officers accepting gifts given out of gratitude or generosity. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, police officers can accept gifts of “nominal value” for as long as these are not “excessive.” “What is important is hindi yun binigay (that is not given) in…
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday, August 12, said he amended the restriction on marine survey ships to include China, explaining that granting exception to one country “will automatically lift ban universally” and will “invite bribes.” In a tweet, he said: “I banned marine survey ships, amending restriction to France and Japan by…
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday, August 12, said Malacañang will not meddle in the request of detained Sen. Leila de Lima for the court to allow her to visit her ailing 86-year-old mother in Camarines Sur. “Well ever since, the president has not interfered with any case involving anybody. He never interfered. So the…
The Philippine Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has successfully launched its first in-house professional Security and Control seminar held at the BJMP Regional Training Center in Barangay Turbina, Calamba, Laguna. Through meticulous planning initiated by Gen. Efren A. Nemeno, DPA, TLPE, Jail Superintendent and Regional Director of the Jail Bureau, he and his…
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rescinded the public notice it issued on the security conditions at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). A news release on Thursday, August 8 said Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan has ordered “effective immediately, rescission of the Public Notice regarding security conditions at…
THE Sandiganbayan’s Judicial Records Division revealed that 20 forfeiture cases against the Marcos family and their cronies have been dismissed by the anti-graft court, with 21 more cases pending, and one indefinitely archived. So far, only one case was ruled in favor of the government — Civil Case No. 0033-F — which involves the turnover…
THE Philippine Department of Justice on Friday, August 9 began its preliminary probe into the sedition complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo and other personalities for allegedly being involved in a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Aside from Robredo, who is the chair of the minority Liberal Party, former senators and failed senatorial bets…
IN light of the Department of Health’s declaration of a dengue epidemic across the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is open to reviving the government’s Dengvaxia vaccination program. “Yes, I am open to the use of Dengvaxia again. Maraming patay ’yan (There are so many deaths). It’s an epidemic,” he told reporters after leading…
MANILA — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has revealed part of the findings of their department’s investigation on the accident that eventually led to the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia. In an interview with the press following a forum on Wednesday, Bello confirmed to reporters that GMA fell short in complying with the Department…
THE camp of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Thursday, August 8, asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to order the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to produce more evidence for the sedition complaint filed against her before she files her counter-affidavit. A motion asking for production and copying of evidence…
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, August 6, declared a national dengue epidemic amid the rising cases of the mosquito-borne disease that has so far claimed at least 622 lives since January throughout the Philippines. According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the declaration was needed to speed up response. “It is important that…
Graft, ursupation trial vs Aquino and others can now proceed THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 7, has lifted the temporary restraining order on the Mamasapano trial, paving the way for the Sandiganbayan to rule on the plea of Ombudsman Samuel Martires to withdraw the criminal charges filed by his predecessor Conchita Carpio Morales…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, August 5, admitted that he has been praying to God to spare the Philippines from possible attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to him, the thought of the extremist group harming the country makes him nervous. He said he is afraid that a lot of Filipino will lose their…
Malacañang on Saturday, August 3, slammed the New York Times (NYT) for spreading “false information” about the Duterte administration. In the NYT’s editorial entitled “In the fight to save the planet, its defenders are being killed,” the publication cited a survey by rights group Global Witness that named the Philippines as the most dangerous country…
Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday, July 31, said she is now more inclined to support the proposed divorce bill, after having a change of heart. The senator admitted that she initially supported making annulment more accessible, instead of legalizing divorce, but reconsidered after learning about the unfortunate cases of other women. “Subalit sa ngayon, pag…
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday, July 31, said the Philippine government has “fired off” a diplomatic protest over recent reports that some 113 Chinese vessels were spotted circling Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea. Locsin said this on Twitter after National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. recommended the filing of such…
