Ampatuan massacre convicts appeal verdict
THE Maguindanao massacre convicts have started to file their motions for reconsideration against the Dec. 19, 2019 ruling that found them guilty. Former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr.,…
Category: Dateline Philippines
Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Duterte to formally decline Trump’s invitation to visit White House
President Rodrigo Duterte will officially turn down President Donald Trump’s invitation to visit the United States, Malacañang said on Friday, December 27. In a press briefing on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson…
PH bans 2 US senators from entering, considers visa requirement for American citizens
The Philippines has ordered an entry ban on two United States senators who have been calling for the release of Senator Leila De Lima, and is considering tighter restrictions for…
Typhoon Ursula death toll climbs to 28
At least 28 people have died after Typhoon Ursula swept across villages and towns in the Visayas, the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Friday, December…
Go invites US officials to PH to see drug situation
Senator Christopher Go recently invited U.S. government officials to the Philippines so they can see for themselves the extent of the country’s drug problem. This invitation came after President Donald…
Typhoon Ursula ruins Christmas in Visayas, kills at least 16
Typhoon Ursula (international name: Phanfone) on Wednesday, December 25, swept across the villages and towns in the Visayas, ruining the holiday mood and taking the lives of more than a…
21 people wounded in Mindanao bombings
Palace condemns explosions, vows to go after culprits At least 21 people suffered injuries in a series of explosions that rocked Cotabato City on Sunday, December 22 — the eve…
TWG: No more extension of Angkas pilot run after March 2020
The inter-agency technical working group (TWG) conducting the pilot program for motorcycle taxis announced Thursday, December 26, that it no longer plans to have an extension for the study. According…
Sara-Digong tandem emerges as top bets for 2020 election – poll
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, came out as the top bets for 2022 vice president and president, respectively, in a pre-election survey conducted in…
Justice served as Maguindanao massacre perpetrators found guilty
THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Thursday, December 19, has found members of the Ampatuan family of Maguindanao, together with several others, guilty for the murder of 57 people…
Marcos family ordered to surrender ill-gotten paintings
THE Sandiganbayan Special Division on Thursday, December 19, ordered the Marcos family to return more than 160 paintings and artworks that were unlawfully acquired, saying that they should be surrendered…
PCGG ready to cooperate with Senate
The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) on Wednesday, December 18, said it is ready to cooperate with the Senate after Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon announced he…
CHR on Marcos case dismissal: Public might think martial law atrocities are ‘fake news’
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday, December 17, said that the public might cast doubts on martial law and its atrocities following the Sandiganbayan’s recent dismissal of a…
Dela Rosa to inquire about reported US visa cancellation
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday, December 16, said he has not received a confirmation from the U.S. Embassy about his visa being cancelled due to his key role…
Palace urges Congress to pass FOI bill
Malacañang on Friday, December 13, renewed its call for the passage of a Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, saying it is needed for transparency in the government. “Freedom of Information……
‘Duterte has all legal options’ on water firms’ rate hike bid
WATER rates may increase by over 100% after the cancellation of Maynilad and Manila Water’s concession agreement extensions since President Rodrigo Duterte has all the legal options at his disposal,…
Maria Ressa among Time’s 100 ‘most influential people’ of 2019
Rappler founder and CEO Maria Ressa was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2019. Ressa joins notable international personalities like U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. First…
US Senate committee backs resolution in support of De Lima, Ressa
Palace claims senators were ‘misled’ THE United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week passed a resolution calling on the Philippine government to release Sen. Leila de Lima from prison…
‘You are all winners’ – Palace on SEA Games competitors
Malacañang lauded all the athletes who participated in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hosted by the Philippines for bringing pride and honor to their countries. “The Palace congratulates all…
PDEA chief finds it hard to deal with Robredo as ICAD co-chair
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino on Thursday, December 12, said he felt uncomfortable with Vice President Leni Robredo when she was his Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs…
Duterte to lift martial law in Mindanao
President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer ask Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday, December 10. According to him, a security assessment showed “the…
PH coalition for ICC: ‘Any killing in any police investigation should be investigated’
The Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, December 10, called for a state-sanctioned investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s war against illegal drugs…
Water firms to drop P10.8-billion compensation claim
The country’s two biggest water concessionaires announced Tuesday, December 10, that they are no longer seeking to collect more than P10 billion in compensation claims from the government after President…
Tagle to hold key Vatican post
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on Sunday, December 8, was appointed by Pope Francis as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, usually referred to by its historic…
Robredo to release ‘drug war’ report next week
MANILA — No one should feel threatened by the report on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs that Vice President Leni Robredo is expected to release next week, she said….
Environment chief: PH in the middle of ‘garbage crisis’
THE Philippines is “in the middle of a garbage crisis,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu warned as he urged Filipinos to start being mindful of how their actions impact the environment….
Palace: Poor reading comprehension of Filipino students a ‘reality’ that must be recognized
To improve the country’s educational system, Malacañang on Thursday, December 5, said that the Filipino students’ poor reading comprehension is a “reality”that must be recognized. Filipino students ranked last in…
New envoy optimistic on Philippines-China ties
MANILA — New Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian arrived past midnight in Manila on Tuesday, December 3, to take up one of China’s most important diplomatic posts. “The best is yet…
Duterte threatens water concessionaires for economic sabotage
Manila Water, Maynilad reported to have ‘onerous’ contracts with gov’t President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 3, threatened to jail and file economic sabotage cases against Manila Water Co. and…
Duterte hopes successor won’t neglect drug issue
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, November 30, said he is hoping his successor will not forget about the country’s drug problem, which he described as the “everyday fight of Filipinos.”…