Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Monday, June 4, urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to junk the criminal complaint brought against him by President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters over the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia controversy. After attending the preliminary investigation at the DOJ, Aquino said in a press briefing that “the only weapon we have is the…
The Philippines is not yet capable of defending its territory in the disputed South China Sea amid China’s continuing aggressiveness in the disputed area, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, June 4. In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, the defense chief said it may take some time for the Philippines to acquire the…
PAGBILAO, Quezon — President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration Thursday of the newly completed 420-megawatt Pagbilao Unit 3 project coal-fired power plant here that is expected to stabilize energy supply in Luzon as well as boost the economy. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the Department of Energy and Aboitiz Power Corp….
Boracay is intended for all Filipinos, not just the wealthy resort owners, Malacañang assured the public on Thursday, May 31. According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to give back the island to the “common individuals” especially farmers who could till the land. He also wants Filipinos to enjoy all that the…
THE Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China over the latter country’s recent moves in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). During a press briefing on Thursday, May 31, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the protest covered all incidents previously mentioned by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. He did not provide…
Ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday, May 30, filed her motion for reconsideration to the Supreme Court (SC), urging her colleagues there to invalidate their decision of ousting her as the chief justice. The SC voted 8-6 in finding Sereno “guilty of unlawfully holding and exercising the Office of the Chief Justice” on…
THE P60 million paid by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for advertisements on Ben Tulfo’s — brother of resigned Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo — show on government channel PTV-4 has yet to be returned, current Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said. “It has not been returned,” Puyat said regarding the promise of Ben Tulfo’s company, Bitag…
ACCORDING to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, human rights are paramount in the police’s campaign against drugs. He also insisted that the police force is not lacking in training on human rights awareness in their operations. “The rules of engagement are paramount in every police operation, and respect for human rights…
The Philippines has not lost a single inch of its territory to China under President Rodrigo Duterte’s watch, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, even promising to quit public office if proven otherwise. Cayetano on Monday, May 28, dared his critics to prove the Duterte administration failed in protecting the country’s rights over disputed…
FORMER Health Secretary Janette Garin said the Philippines is the only country letting “alarmists” cause uproar over the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy, on Thursday, May 24. The Dengvaxia vaccine, created by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, has been tagged in the deaths of over 80 Filipino children. During the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice…
Malacañang has dared human rights activists to prove allegations of human rights violations committed by members of the military in Mindanao under martial law. During a press briefing on Thursday, May 24 in Marawi City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called on the presentation of proof or “let us not accuse our soldiers.” “Many soldiers offered…
OZAMIZ City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog was arrested in Taiwan for illegal entry on Wednesday, May 23. Parojinog is a younger brother of slain suspected drug kingpin Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. He been the subject of a 10-month police hunt for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. He was placed on the Bureau of…
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended its recognition of all fraternities and sororities and similar organizations in the institution for the next academic year, eight months after law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III died from apparent hazing. UST’s school paper, The Varsitarian, tweeted a copy of the memorandum on Tuesday night, May 22, that…
The Philippines is not abandoning its traditional alliance with the United States, Malacañang said on Monday, May 21. Leading the Filipino delegation was Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who met U.S. Admiral Harry Harris Jr., chief of the U.S. Pacific Command (Pacom), in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, May 18. Malacañang said the meeting between Philippine officials and…
Senator Vicente Sotto III became the 29th Senate President on Monday, May 21, after Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III stepped down. Sotto serves as the second Senate president of the 17th Congress, after 15 majority bloc senators last week agreed to move for the change of Senate leadership. Pimentel, who resigned on early Monday…
According to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the eight Supreme Court justices who voted to grant the quo warranto petition to invalidate the 2012 appointment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno cannot be impeached. “I don’t think so, in exercise of kasiseparation of powers ehthey acted within their powers as provided for by the Constitution,” Alvarez said. Alvarez…
The Philippines has “serious concern” over the Chinese bomber planes that landed on an island along the disputed South China Sea, said the country’s presidential spokesman. He added that the Philippines’ foreign ministry had taken “appropriate diplomatic action” but did not give specifics. The statements come after the Chinese air force landed long-range bombers on…
Malacañang has responded to former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s claims that accused President Rodrigo Duterte was behind her removal, calling for him to resign. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the Palace “refrained from commenting” about Sereno’s call but said the ousted chief justice has been engaging in political grandstanding. “The former top magistrate…
AMID reports that a business partner of President Rodrigo Duterte’s brother Emmanuel was arrested by the Japanese police for allegedly plotting a robbery in Tokyo, Malacañang stressed on Thursday, May 17, that the president cannot be influenced by family members. According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., Duterte had advised the public not to believe…
THE United States is reportedly elated to hear reports about drug operations in the Philippines being conducted within the rule of law, a visiting State Department official said Wednesday May 16. “That’s very good for us to hear. We’re encouraged to hear about those efforts,” Patrick Murphy, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asia…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, May 16, denied any involvement in the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno by the Supreme Court (SC). Voting 8 to 6, the SC granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against Sereno due to her supposed failure to submit all her Statements of Assets,…
Vice President Leni Robredo’s net worth significantly decreased in 2017 due to expenses related to the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). In her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on April 30, Robredo said her net…
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed that as of 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 94.01 percent of all villages nationwide were able to proclaim the election winners. Regions III and VII were already 100 percent finished and all winners in 3,102 and 3,003 villages, respectively, already proclaimed. “Overall, it’s almost finished. Hopefully, by 8 p.m….
The impeachment complaint against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will only be thrown out once the Supreme Court (SC) rules with finality on her quo warranto case, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said on Tuesday, May 15. Members of the Coalition for Justice (CFJ) headed to the Senate to restate their call on the…
The Philippines is not giving up its sovereignty rights in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, May 15. “We are not giving up our rights in the West Philippine Sea. As a matter of fact, we are still insisting until now,” he said on board BRP Davao del Sur in Casiguran…
MANILA — A mood of renewed hope and confidence filled the main offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Belair, Makati City as some 500 employees warmly welcomed newly-appointed DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on her first day at the helm. Puyat took her oath of office administered by President Rodrigo…
On Sunday, May 13, Malacañang expressed sorrow over the passing of former Senate President Edgardo Angara, grieving with Angara’s family. “We mourn the sudden passing of one of our great leaders and statesmen, Senate President Edgardo Angara, who died at age 83,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M….
Several senators disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling it a violation of the Constitution, warning of its repercussions on the rule of law. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto maintained that “you can only remove the Chief Justice through impeachment,” saying the decision is a bad precedent….
THE Philippine Supreme Court on Friday, May 11 voted to oust its first female chief justice who has been critical of the country’s President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial war on drugs. Resulting from an 8-6 vote, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was removed from the country’s highest court on the grounds that she allegedly…
Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat revealed President Rodrigo Duterte’s first instruction for her was to maintain a “no corruption” policy as she takes over the department that was recently involved in a P60-million advertising deal controversy. “My only instruction from the President when he offered it and then I accepted – he said, ‘Congratulations! All…
