Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, on Monday, June 25, said there is no way President Rodrigo Duterte will change his policy on the West Philippine Sea or apologize for it. He also blamed the previous Aquino administration for triggering the militarization of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. “When we had a confrontation with the Chinese, they drove us…
Malacañang on Thursday, June 21 said that the Philippines may not be ready yet for same-sex marriage despite the start of oral arguments before the Supreme Court (SC) for a petition to legalize it in the country. In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque believed that “there is a right time for these kind[s]…
More allies of former Philippine President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III should face charges in connection with the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Malacañang said on Thursday, June 21. The statement was made by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque a day after the Ombudsman ordered the filing of charges against Aquino for usurping Congress’ budgetary powers…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the long awaited Philippine Mental Health Law, which would equip Filipinos with accessible and affordable mental health services. “Help is finally here,” posted Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, June 21. “Everyday, seven Filipinos turn to suicide. One in five Filipino adults also suffer from a form of mental disorder.”…
President Rodrigo Duterte slammed Senator Leila de Lima for criticizing his gesture of kissing a married overseas Filipino worker (OFW) during his recent visit to Seoul, South Korea. De Lima called it “sickening” — to which Duterte responded by threatening to release her alleged sex video. “There’s a lady nakakulong, sabi niya na bastos daw…
Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu is optimistic of an initial judgment this year for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre as wished by President Rodrigo Duterte. “We look forward to that. We fought this battle the legal way because we believe that the court is the only venue where we can seek redress,” he said on Thursday, June…
Despite President Rodrigo Duterte voicing out his opinions against the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on multiple occasions, Malacañang announced that the Philippines will not be following the move made by the United States to withdraw from the body. In a press briefing on Thursday, June 21, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the…
In an interview with London-based newspaper Financial Times, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed his desire to run for presidency and return to Malacañang after President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends. “My career is politics, and, in fact, you aspire to as excessive a stature inside your chosen area as you can possibly obtain—and that might be…
ILOILO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, June 20, assured that funds for public projects are equally distributed across the nation under his administration. The President also assured that he is continuing the projects started by his predecessors. “In the scheme of things now, if you are just worried about the distribution of the wealth…
President Rodrigo Duterte, on Tuesday, June 19, insisted that peace talks should be in the Philippines despite exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison saying that talks would be doomed if they would be held in Manila. “Why should I talk outside? I’m talking about our country, my country, their…
President Rodrigo Duterte’s “anti-tambay” order will not lead to a declaration of nationwide martial law, Malacañang assured on Tuesday, June 19. At a press briefing in Cotabato City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, “the president’s statement [was] very clear that ‘martial law in the entire Philippines [would] become very complicated.’” Roque also added that “He…
A NEW study confirmed that the world’s first dengue vaccine, which was given to over 800,000 school children in the Philippines, poses risks of hospitalization and severe sickness in those who have not been infected by the virus before getting vaccinated. Now, the Philippine government hopes the new study will help amplify its demand for…
Two Filipino fugitives have been re-arrested for killing a U.S. Marine in the Philippines five years ago, announced the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. embassy in the Philippines on Monday, June 18. Another was arrested for obstruction of justice. “The U.S. embassy in the Philippines welcomes the arrests of Galicano Datu III…
As internet usage rises among adults in the Philippines, a large majority of Filipinos are viewing the issue of fake news and false information as a serious concern, revealed a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released this week. Looking at results from two surveys conducted from December 8-16, 2017, and March 23-27, 2018, SWS found…
The Philippines has commended the historic meeting of President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while affirming support for peace, stability, security, and denuclearization in the region. Acknowledging the remaining challenges, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday, June 12 said the meeting between Trump and Kim underscored the “importance and…
DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, June 16, joined the Filipino Muslims in celebrating Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, as he vowed anew for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the need to shift to a federal type of government. In his speech during the celebration of the 2018…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reiterated the suspension of all projects of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) responding to the reported staging of Buhay Carinderia North Luzon Roadshow. In a Memorandum dated 18 May 2018, DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat instructed the “suspension of the implementation of all ongoing TPB projects…subject to the review of…
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, June 13, vowed to further empower the youth by making quality education affordable and accessible to everyone, especially the poor. President Duterte made this commitment as he witnessed the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the 112 State Universities…
IT was the previous administration that mishandled the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), not the Duterte administration, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana claimed on Monday, June 11. In a news conference after a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Lorenzana insisted that the handling of the Aquino administration led to…
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, joined the nation in celebrating the country’s 120th anniversary of its independence, calling on Filipinos to emulate our heroes to bring “meaningful and lasting change” in the society. In his Independence Day message, Duterte said Filipinos should value the sacrifices of our heroes, saying “this historic day forms…
Kawit — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, joined his countrymen in honoring the patriots who have given their lives for the Philippines’ liberty, urging Filipinos to be worthy of the “great sacrifice.” President Duterte led the flag raising ceremony at the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo as he graced the celebration of the…
Spokesman said kiss was ‘accepted in culture of Filipinos’ SHORTLY after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte publicly kissed a married overseas foreign worker (OFW) in Seoul, South Korea, consequently drawing both cheers and disgust — he returned to the Philippines to defend his kiss and said he’d resign as president if enough women wanted him to….
Dissenters say constitutional right violated The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 6, said that detained Senator Leila de Lima’s appeal to reconsider an arrest warrant against her has been denied with finality, upholding that her arrest based on drug charges were valid. Through a 9-5 vote, the high court resolved “to deny with finality…
Responding to the backlash he received over the controversial kiss he shared with a Filipina in South Korea, President Rodrigo Duterte said those who are making an issue out of it are jealous. He brushed aside the huge flak he got and said kissing women has been his style since his days as mayor of…
Boracay can be a land reform area without sacrificing tourism. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones on Wednesday, June 6, said they would still maintain Boracay as a “tourist destination.” However, they would have to limit it in the beach areas since “these are where the tourists spend time and linger. These are…
LAPU-LAPU CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of the newly constructed Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 here on Thursday, June 7. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his excitement to present the new airport to the public describing the project as the “most beautiful airport in the country today.” “It is…
LAPU-LAPU CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte swore in newly elected barangay captains in the Central Visayas rallying their support as his government confronts the scourge of illegal drugs, corruption and criminality. In his address, President Duterte congratulated the newly elected barangay leaders noting it is an honor for him to administer their oath of office….
FOLLOWING his trip to South Korea this week, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he will “make radical changes in the days to come.” “There will be changes in the coming days including public order and security. There are simply too many crimes and too many claiming to be this and that,” he said on Wednesday…
Malacañang is being ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) to answer the petition filed by six opposition senators last month challenging the administration’s withdrawal of the country’s membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The SC also ruled to hold the case for oral arguments on July 24. The respondents — Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,…
The P24-billion subsidy allocated for poor Filipinos affected by the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law will be released by the government by September, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. DSWD undersecretary Flor Villar said in a press conference that the agency has completed the release of…
