Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
THE country’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign was relaunched on Monday, February 18, by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The repurposed campaign, which would now use crowd-sourcing in a bid for “sustainable tourism”, meant to attract more tourists. It was propelled by Boracay’s six-month closure, in an effort to rehabilitate the world-famous…
THE Sandiganbayan Third Division began the trial of former Senate President on Tuesday, February 19, for the plunder and graft case against him due to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The case was filed more than four years ago but Enrile failed to appear at most of the recent hearings because…
Local human rights group Karapatan on Monday, February 18, criticized the government’s move to delist over 600 cases of enforced and involuntary disappearances in the Philippines, calling it “an extension of a grave injustice”. “This can only be an extension of the grave injustice that the kin of desaparecidos have gone through and fueling impunity…
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, February 19, warned that he will “kill” anyone who asks applicants for a birth certificate as a requirement for passport renewal. The DFA chief made the statement after a netizen on Twitter asked him if the document was still needed for renewing passports. “Sir…
Arrest of 2018 TIME Person of the Year sparks international outrage, questions about press freedom ONE day after her arrest for “cyber libel” charges, Filipina journalist Maria Ressa of Rappler was released on bail on Thursday, Feb. 14 by her lawyer. After her lawyer posted bail (P100,000, or $1,915), Ressa did not shy away from…
In response to President Rodrigo Duterte floating the idea of renaming the Philippines to “Maharlika,” Malacañang said that the name change would require a new law and the public’s approval in a referendum. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that in order to change the country’s name, congressional action will be needed. “The Constitution provides that…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced the 11 senatorial candidates he is endorsing for the upcoming midterm elections, notably excluding plunder-accused former Senator Jinggoy Estrada. “Kapag natalo ‘tong mga kandidato ko dito ha, babalikan ko kayo (If my candidates lose here, I’ll get back at you),” Duterte said during the proclamation rally in Bulacan on…
Amid the contagious measles outbreak in the Philippines, one million children aged 5 months to 6 years old will receive vaccines starting this weekend. The mass measles immunization campaign will kick off on Saturday, February 16 through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) after it held a dialogue with over 200 barangay leaders. As of February…
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday, February 12, said a total of 701 cities and municipalities nationwide have been identified as election hotspots for the May 13 midterm polls. These 701 election hotspots comprise 42.9 percent of the country’s 1,634 cities and municipalities. According to Albayalde, the election hotspots were categorized…
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the parents on Tuesday, February 12, to isolate their infants below six months old if there is a measles outbreak in the community. Duque explained that it is still dangerous for infants aged five months and below to acquire a measles immunization shot since…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) will conduct the DOT Express Accreditation for Primary Tourism Enterprises in the National Capital Region (NCR), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on February 18-22 and February 26-27, 2019. The DOT Express Accreditation will serve as a one-stop shop to be administered by the…
A Filipino historian on Wednesday, February 13, said that the understanding of “Maharlika” as nobility is a common misconception due to mistranslated historical texts. This was after President Rodrigo Duterte proposed the idea of replacing the name of the Philippines with this term. “Actually, tama si Marcos. Panahon ni Marcos, tama talaga si Marcos. Gusto…
renowned Filipina photojournalist Maria Ressa of Rappler was arrested at the paper’s headquarters on suspicion of “cyber libel” by the Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, February 13. Ressa, a former CNN bureau chief and current CEO of Rappler, claimed her stake as a lead critic against President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration, providing damning…
AS the 90-day campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates started on Tuesday, February 12, Malacañang informed the public that it is lawful for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to engage in partisan activities. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that while the Article XXII Section 261 (i) known as the Prohibited Acts of the Omnibus Election…
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Tuesday, February 12, suspended the canvassing of votes for the second round of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in the four municipalities in North Cotabato — Midsayap, Cabacan, Pikit and Pigkawayan. “Considering that the reports of the working groups, it is clear that we cannot finish the tabulation today,…
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, February 12, welcomed the United States’ quarterly report that showed $61.9 million in support of the intelligence operations of the Philippine military. “Talks on the matter (of U.S. intelligence aid) are still on the higher level and the AFP is yet to be directly involved,” AFP…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauds the initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in urging all Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure the accreditation of primary tourism enterprises (PTEs). In its Memorandum Circular No. 2019-17, DILG reiterates the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9593 or Tourism…
FILIPINA journalist Maria Ressa, founder of Philippine-based news site Rappler, has been hit with a new “cyber libel” lawsuit this week, in what human rights groups say is another move against free press in the country. The Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, February 6 said it approved the indictment of Ressa and former Rappler…
Death toll reaches 72 OVER 70 people have died from measles, the Philippines’ Department of Health said on Friday, February 8, a few days after it declared a nationwide outbreak of the contagious virus. DOH Spokesperson Enrique Domingo said that the 72 casualties were among the 2,000 cases of measles in areas across the country,…
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared on Wednesday, February 6, that the second leg of plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Mindanao was successful despite the bombings in Lanao del Norte. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said that despite the security concerns in the two voting areas— Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, the voter…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, February 6, released the decision indicting Rappler Incorporated, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and executive editor Maria Ressa, and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel for a story published in May 2012. In the resolution dated on January 10, obtained by Rappler on February 4, and…
THE Philippines’ House of Representatives withdrew its approval of the reimposed death penalty for convicted offenders found in possession of illegal drugs during parties, social gatherings and meetings on Wednesday, February 6. Assistant Majority Leader and Zamboanga Sibugay First District Rep. Wilter Palma II made a motion to reconsider the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of…
The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday, February 6, that the government will no longer issue work permits to foreign nationals who want to be employed as construction workers, cashiers, janitors and carpenters. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the bureau would tighten the requirements and procedures on the issuance of special and provisional…
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) announced that 55 children have died due to the measles outbreak in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, February 6. DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III declared the outbreak of the highly contagious disease due to a 550 percent increase of patients — with a total of 169 cases…
Manila, Philippines – Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) hosted its 18th annual Chinese New Year celebration at the Duty Free Luxe in Pasay City today. DFPC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio A. Angala, wife Maria Salome Angala, Tourism Attaché to Beijing, China Tomasito Umali, and renowned author and journalist Jullie Yap Daza led the…
Heads were turned on Sunday, February 2 when a Rodrigo Duterte impersonator walked into a Hong Kong church frequented by many of the city’s Filipino community members during a mass service. By his side was an uncanny doppelganger of North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. Impersonating Duterte was 57-year-old Filipino Cresencio Estremos Jr., who also…
Philippines also tops most time spent on social media A new report revealed that people in the Philippines spent more time on the internet than any other country in the world in 2018. The annual Digital 2019 report, created by social media platforms and agencies, We Are Social and Hootsuite, found that those in the…
The Department of Tourism announced last week that 7,127,168 foreign tourists visited the Philippines last year, an all-time high in the country’s tourism industry. This was the great news that the local DOT officials heralded at the New York Times Travel Show held over the weekend at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. “In…
The Philippines is considered the 50th best country in the world, according to a recent global survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report. The annual survey — based on responses from 20,000 people from 36 countries — released earlier this January ranks the top 80 countries in the world, using 65 different metrics, such…
THE Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a pair of bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu that has killed 21 people and left over 80 injured during a mass on Sunday, January 27. The first explosion went off inside the cathedral on Sunday morning, while a subsequent blast…
