Dengvaxia ban likely to stay — DOH
THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, December 11, said that the agency does not see Dengvaxia being used anytime soon despite its one-year ban coming to an end. DOH…
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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Comelec sets longer voting hours for 2019 elections
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the period of casting votes for the May 13, 2019 elections by an hour, making it end at 6 p.m. instead of the…
Palace to continue anti-crime drive amid flak from critics
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 9, promised to continue his campaign against illegal drugs, crime, corruption, terrorism and insurgency campaign despite being labeled as the “biggest threat to…
House OKs expanded VAWC bill
The House of Representatives on Monday, December 10, approved on third and final reading the Expanded Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (E-VAWC), a measure that criminalizes electronic violence and…
Sandiganbayan sets 2019 trial for Enrile plunder case
THE plunder trial of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile for allegedly receiving P172.8 million in kickbacks from projects funded by his office’s pork barrel will finally start in 2019 by…
Duterte warns 2019 poll bets: ‘Do not intimidate, let them choose who they want’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 10, warned all candidates for the 2019 midterm elections not to intimidate Filipino voters into voting for them or their allies regardless of…
Duterte urges martial law extension until end of 2019
PHIlIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte urged the two legislative chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives — to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019. In…
ICC continues initial review of Duterte, drug war despite PH withdrawal
The assessment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity will be continued by the International Criminal Court despite the Philippines’ withdrawal of its ratification from the Rome Statute. The…
Romualdez: Duterte visit to US appropriate after return of Balangiga bells
ACCORDING to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, it would be more appropriate for President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the U.S. once the Balangiga bells have been…
Palace says Duterte’s “kill bishops” remark meant “kill them with kindness”
MALACAÑANG on Thursday, December 6, defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent “kill the bishops” statement as only a hyperbole intended for a dramatic effect. Despite the president’s previous attacks on the…
AFP to create new infantry to counter Abu Sayyaf
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday, December 5, announced the creation of a new infantry division specialized to locate the whereabouts of Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist…
Revilla acquitted as Napoles and former aide convicted for PDAF plunder charges
SANDIGANBAYAN First Division on Friday, December 7 acquitted former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. of plunder while his former chief of staff Richard Cambe and businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles were…
PH ranks 11th world’s most climate-related deaths, 20th most affected by disasters
THE Philippines placed 11th worldwide among the countries with the most number of casualties due to extreme climate disasters and 20th in the most affected by climate-related disasters in 2017….
WHO supports PH’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax
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…
House okays bill to create PH space agency
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…
UN officials did not accuse Liberal Party of misusing Yolanda funds
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…
House approves federalism bill on second reading
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…
Philippine senators open to legalizing medical marijuana
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…
Robredo tells lawmakers: Focus on lowering prices, not Charter change
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…
Palace: ‘Everybody is entitled to a joke’
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…
‘Physically impossible’ to sign 2019 budget by December 15 – Sotto
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…
Duterte rules out pardon for cops in Kian delos Santos slay
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…
Sandiganbayan allows Imelda Marcos to post bail due to ‘old age’, like Enrile
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…
Palace praises gov’t anti-crime drive, disregards survey results
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)…
Duterte ‘jokes’ about cannabis use to keep up with grueling schedule
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…
Military seeks 1-year martial law extension
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…
Malacañang: Duterte’s ‘death squad’ idea doesn’t violate due process
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…
Duterte dismisses possibility of nationwide martial law
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…
Malacanang lauds Dureza for resigning out of ‘delicadeza’
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…
Court finds cops guilty in slaying of Kian Delos Santos
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…