Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
THE World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, December 5, expressed their support on the Philippines’ move to increase the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise tax, revealing that doing such would prevent deaths caused by diabetes, stroke and heart failure. Researchers from the organization said that imposing taxes would reduce the fatalities brought by the deadliest diseases…
The House of Representatives approved House Bill 8541 otherwise known as the Philippine Space Development Act on its third and final reading on Tuesday, December 4. The HB 8541 served as “an act establishing the Philippine space development and utilization policy and creating the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), defining the purpose and scope of…
A UNITED Nations (UN) special rapporteur this week has responded to claims that the UN had accused the Philippines’ then-ruling Liberal Party (LP) of misusing disaster relief funds for election campaigning in 2016. This comes after a video posted on Facebook on October 30, 2018. took footage from a press conference in 2015 given by…
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 4, approved the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, a proposal to shift to a federal government, on its second reading. “Many provisions of the 1987 Constitution have already served, if not outlived, their purpose, hence the sustained clamor over the years for amendments to or revision of…
Senators Grace Poe and Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday, December 4, said they were open to legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines. Poe cited cases of marijuana being used for medical purposes on patients, but also noted that it could not yet be considered a cure. In an interview with ANC television, she said marijuana could…
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the House of Representatives to find ways to bring down prices and give more jobs to Filipinos rather than change the Constitution. “Imbes na maghain ng mga solusyon sa mga problemang dulot ng batas na ito, malinaw na usap-politika ang mas mahalaga para sa liderato ng Kamara, na siya nitong ipinakita…
Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 4, stating that the leader can make jokes in public speeches just like everyone else. “Everybody is entitled to a joke,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said as reported by ABS-CBN News. This was after the top leader drew criticism for stating that he takes marijuana to keep…
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday, December 3, said that it is not physically possible to approve the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 by mid-December due to time constraints. “Not physically possible. Printing alone takes days. Assuming we are able to pass [the bill] by next week, how about the [bicameral conference committee and printing]?”…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 3, said he will not pardon the 3 policemen convicted of murdering Caloocan teenager Kian delos Santos. When asked by reporters if a pardon from him may be expected, he answered: “Of course not. Maybe one million years from now.” His promise to police and military personnel that he…
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Monday, December 3, granted a post-conviction bail to Ilocos Norte Second District Representative Imelda Marcos due to her advanced age and health conditions, a decision similar to that of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. In an order dated November 28, the graft court considered the old age of the former…
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday, December 1, claimed that the government has made “significant strides” in its campaign against criminality even though results of the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey suggested otherwise. “Significant strides have been made by the current administration through its war against criminality, including those related to illegal drugs,” Panelo…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 3, said he uses marijuana to stay awake and keep up with the tight schedules along with the other heads of states. “It’s a killing activity,” he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore last month. “Me, [I don’t fall asleep] as much…
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday, December 3, announced the military is set to recommend another year of martial law in Mindanao. He cited the need to quell terrorists still “lurking” on the island. According to Galvez, the “clamor” of local government officials in Mindanao, regional peace and order councils and the…
President reveals plans to form unit to counter NPAs Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to establish an armed civilian unit to counter communist rebels would not violate due process, Malacañang said. Earlier this week, Duterte revealed that the armed unit would be formed to suppress the New People’s Army (NPA) “sparrow”, slang for Special Partisan…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 27, dismissed the public’s fears that he would declare martial law nationwide after he ordered the deployment of troops in several areas in the country as a means to contain the insurgency. “No, I am not going to declare martial law. There’s enough powers of the presidency that…
Former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza was praised by Malacañang on Wednesday, November 28, for taking full responsibility for the “transgressions” of two members of his staff who were sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, “We commend the former presidential adviser on the peace process…
THREE Philippine police officers have been found guilty this week for the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos in August 2017, considered one of the most high-profile cases associated with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz were sentenced by the Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch…
According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., there is a need to tighten coordination between the coast guards of the Philippines and China. This is after a Filipino TV network crew was barred by the Chinese from filming at Scarborough Shoal. During his confirmation hearing by the Commission on Appointments…
THE proposed General Appropriations Act or the P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 has been passed on its third and final reading by the House of Representatives. The P3.757 trillion budget is meant to fund government projects and spending for the upcoming fiscal year, as reported by CNN Philippines. Lawmakers on Tuesday, November 27, approved the House…
President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized that every Filipino family must have access to safe drinking water for them to lead productive lives. During the kick-off for the construction of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) in Barangay Calinan, Duterte said, “I have always believed that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right…
Malacañang on Tuesday, November 27, said President Rodrigo Duterte is in good physical condition amid health issues critics have raised because he had skipped a number of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events. According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the president has had a grueling schedule prior the summit. “(Is he physically fit?) Oh…
Former Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio revealed on Monday, November 26, that the joint exploration and exploitation of resources in the West Philippine Sea with China is a direct violation of our constitution. “Joint exploration and exploitation is prohibited in our Constitution, which requires that the Philippines shall have ‘full control and supervision’ in the…
The Philippine Senate together with the House of Representatives approved the reconciled version of the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill that aims to provide health care for all Filipinos on Tuesday, November 27. One of the UHC’s principal authors Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito expressed his joy over the passage of the said bill among the…
Former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos filed a Notice of Appeal on Tuesday, November 27, before the Sandiganbayan seeking to take her conviction in seven graft cases to the Supreme Court. However, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said that it is premature because there is still a pending motion to be…
Manila, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has accredited at least 13 tour guides whose first assignment was to shepherd 30 students from the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) to Manila’s historical spots, including Rizal Park, National Museum, and Fort Santiago. Such specialized tour, which is the first of its kind, was curated…
Cagayan de Oro City, CDO—Mindananoans were treated to a gastronomic extravaganza as Kaon ‘Ta!, the Northern Mindanao leg of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) food and travel festival was launched recently at the Seda Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Foodies and travelers delighted themselves with a wide array of local cuisine, including exotic authentic Cagayan de…
Pasay City, November 25, 2018—Following its success in China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Thailand, the Business Innovation Congress opened its first congress in the Philippines at Conrad Manila with the theme: “Business Transformation in a Digital Ecosystem.” “Business Innovation Congress aims to support local businesses in exploring future industrial trends as well as promote Philippines as…
Amid critics calling for transparency, Malacañang has promised it will issue the details concerning the deals signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official two-day visit to the Philippines earlier this week. On Tuesday, November 20, Xi and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed 29 agreements, concerning oil and gas, trade and investment, banking and finance, infrastructure,…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, November 22 fired Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) secretary-general Falconi Millar for alleged corruption in the rehabilitation of war-ravaged Marawi City. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the dismissal of Millar was done to implement the administration’s anti-corruption drive. “There are no sacred cows in the administration,…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, November 20, signed 29 agreements signifying a “milestone in the history of exchange” between the two countries. “Thanks to our joint efforts, we have made productive the results in cooperation in all areas bringing benefits to our two peoples and making a contribution to…
