Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday, August 7, sought the urgent amendment of the 1987 Constitution as she called for the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene into a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss). In a report from The Manila Times, Arroyo filed House Resolution No. 2056 that pushes for the two chambers to…
The national ID system garnered mixed reactions from the general public after President Rodrigo Duterte signed its implementation into law on Monday, August 6, at Malacanang. The law, otherwise known as the Republic Act of 11055 includes the establishment of the Philippine ID system (PhilSys), a centralized database that contains all the necessary and vital…
President Rodrigo Duterte assured the public that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio,won’t seek a national position. “Ang anak ko, si Inday, I can tell you I know her. Hindi magtatakbo ‘yan ng national. Ganun lang ‘yan (My daughter, Inday. She won’t seek a national post. She’s just like that),” the president said. Duterte…
Despite previous remarks stating a visit to the United States was dependent on scheduling, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he cannot go to the country because of the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines associated with his administration. “I cannot go to America, I am not sure America would be ready for that. The past Congress…
US jury indicts Napoles, kin for domestic, int’l money laundering FOLLOWING an indictment by a United States federal grand jury this week, Janet Lim-Napoles will not be extradited to the country while she faces trial in the Philippines. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday, August 2 said Napoles can only be extradited after her plunder…
The National Prosecution Services (NPS) recorded a total of 152,741 drug cases filed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. However, a majority of those cases were often dismissed by the courts. If not, the accused commonly gets acquitted. In a report from Rappler, NPS released their records showing the total number of filed cases…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) extends its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Gaia Trimarchi. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo – Puyat has given the instruction to extend DOT’s full assistance and provide swift response to urgent matters pertaining to the incident such as measures ensuring the safety and security of tourists in the…
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte in a speech on Tuesday, July 31 strongly warned the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to refrain from engaging in illegal activities. “Huwag kayong pumasok diyan sa droga, ‘yang mga murder-for-hire, kasi ipa-project ko rin kayo (Don’t get involved in illegal drugs or murder-for-hire because I will make you my…
A UNITED States federal grand jury this week charged Janet Lim-Napoles and five of her family members for allegedly transferring around $20 million U.S. dollars to purchase real-estate properties, luxury vehicles, and business shares. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California indicted Janet Lim-Napoles; her children Jo Christine, 34, James Christopher, 33,…
MALACANANG responded to former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s criticism saying that he shares the blame in the culture of impunity for his failure in addressing media killings during his term. “I wish he did more also in protecting human life,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. This was after Aquino on Monday, July 30, publicly…
MALACAÑANG said on Monday, July 30, that it will let the legal process run on the controversy involving radio personalities Ben and Raffy Tulfo and former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo in connection with the P60 million worth of government paid advertisements aired on the People’s Television Network (PTV). Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque…
PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, July 30, told lawmakers that the second version of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) will not impose new taxes. “TRAIN 2 is different so there is no need to be afraid,” Roque said. Roque said that senators running this upcoming election might not want to be linked…
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Filipino bishops expressed their dismay over the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) order to deport the 71-year-old Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox on the grounds of being an undesirable alien and an alleged violator of her missionary visa. In a Facebook post, Caloocan bishop Pablo Virgilio David criticized BI’s resolve on identifying Fox as an undesirable…
Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s election as speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday, July 23, not only surprised the entire nation, but also posed as a grave threat to the existence of the ruling party Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). In a Manila Times report, an unknown source revealed that members plan on bolting…
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Philippines ranks third in mortality rate caused by air pollution. In an article from Rappler, a WHO study revealed that the Philippines had 45.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals due to outdoor air pollution. China ranked first at 81.5 deaths recorded while Mongolia was second at 48.8 deaths. …
Sen. Nancy Binay today said the recommendation of the Task Force Boracay to revoke and suspend all Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) and business permits of establishments operating in Boracay may be necessary but government must make sure that re-applications will have guidelines that are clear, simple, practical and the procedures are efficient, transparent and corruption-free….
AL-HAJ Murad Ebrahim, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman, celebrated the impending signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), after it was ratified by the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 24. “We really thank the new leadership of the House. We want to extend our appreciation. We are hoping that this is key…
International non-government organization The Global Witness said 48 environmental campaigners were murdered in the Philippines last year — making the country the most dangerous for environmental defenders in Asia. It’s a 71 percent increase from the 28 killings in the country in 2016. Based on Global Witness’ 2017 report, 207 land and environmental activists were…
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election as Speaker of the House of representatives was slammed by her critics on Tuesday, July 24, as they claimed it might be part of a plan to put her back at the top as prime minister. The coup that Arroyo and her allies pulled on Monday, July 23, to topple…
Newly-appointed Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) head Arnold Gonzales has reached out to young Filipinos urging them to travel around the Philippines. He also added that the country still has a lot of attractions for them to discover. “Discovering the Philippines is a rewarding experience as it allow us to deeply understand our culture and reconnect…
Investment opportunities in the Philippines’ “alternative city” mapped out Manila, July 2018 – Plans to position the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone as a regional business and investment hub were mapped out in interviews conducted by Oxford Business Group’s online broadcasting channel, Global Platform, with Udenna Group of Companies President and CEO Dennis Uy…
ACCORDING to the Cabinet’s security cluster, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute is the biggest concern with regards to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The assessment was made as the security cluster unveiled the Duterte government’s National Security Policy during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) conference on Wednesday, July 18,…
Australian missionary Sister Patricia Anne Fox on Thursday, July 19, was ordered by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to be deported and blacklisted, barring her from ever returning to the Philippines. The BOC, composed of Commissioner Jaime Morente, Associate Commissioner J. Tobias Javier and OIC Associate Commissioner Marc Red…
INTERIOR Undersecretary Empimaco Densing III on Wednesday, July 18 said the target reopening of Boracay island on October 26 will proceed. “Oct. 26 is a go based on (Environment) Secretary Roy Cimatu na madalas sa (who is always in) Boracay,” he said in a radio interview. Densing noted the significant improvement in the water’s quality….
Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will not be involved in efforts to postpone the elections slated for next year. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that Duterte’s position had been to continue with the midterm polls next year and hold the referendum on the proposed federal charter together with the electoral exercise. “I will quote the…
The Department of Tourism (DOT), in an effort to promote tourism research in the country, is calling for proposals for its 2018 Tourism Research Grant. The individual research proposals eligible for financial assistance must be aligned with the DOT Secretary’s policy direction for the current year which is to promote Farm Tourism and Culinary Tourism. The grant aims…
Alabado started his government career as a faculty member of the University of the Philippines- Mindanao teaching Urban and Regional Planning. He was part of the local government of Davao City as the City Planning and Development Coordinator under then Mayor Sara Duterte (2010-2013), before joining the Department of Tourism (DOT) as Regional Director for Region XI from 2015…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pleased to announce that visitor arrivals for the first semester of 2018 reached an all-time high of 3,706,721. According to the data gathered by the DOT’s Statistics, Economic Analysis and Information Management Division (SEAIMD), foreign arrivals from January to June of 2018 registered a double digit growth of 10.40 percent…
FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa is keeping his options open as he looks forward to the 2019 elections. Dela Rosa clarified to reporters on Tuesday night, July 17, that “Senator Bato” is still a possibility, following reports saying he would run for governor of Davao del Sur after transferring his voter…
