Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Following the release of the 2017 Bar Examinations, Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, congratulated law graduates who passed one of the country’s hardest licensure exams. Malacañang also encouraged new lawyers to pursue a career in the government, as their “idealism, integrity and competence are most welcome” under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. “We’d like…
THE recently released 2018 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontiéres, RSF) has ranked the Philippines 133 out of 180 countries on the list, citing a “growing animosity” towards journalists in the country. But Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. downplayed the report, saying that the media watchdog also expressed alarm over…
Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, said while the Palace respects the rights of individuals to sue and the independence of the judiciary, it is confident that the petitions filed in the Supreme Court to stop the closure of Boracay will not be given merit. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. in a Palace press briefing said…
Local and foreign tourists enjoyed their vacations in Boracay a day before the world-famous island’s closure started on Thursday, April 26. The island is set to be closed to tourists for six months upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate the island. However, tourists who have bookings beyond April 26 will still be…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 25, has reiterated his promise to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year. During a speech in Buluan, Maguindanao, Duterte assured the Moro people anew of his commitment to pass the BBL, hopefully by the end of May. “So let us fast-track the BBL. I promised that…
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox to leave the country after it forfeited her missionary visa for engaging in “partisan political activities.” The BI issued its one-page order on Fox on Monday, April 23. Fox was directed to leave the Philippines within 30 days from receipt of the…
The administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will double its efforts to improve the plight of Filipinos, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said on Sunday, April 22. After seeing a drop from in the satisfaction ratings of Duterte’s Cabinet, Malacañang assured that the executive branch will continue to serve the “best interest” of the public…
Malacañang on Monday, April 23, vowed to support the country’s economic growth by solid macroeconomic fundamentals and sustained investments in infrastructure and social services. Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the remark as he welcome two recent studies projecting the Philippine economy to grow by at least 6.8 percent for the first quarter of 2018….
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) that his press statements on the ongoing recount of votes in the 2016 vice presidential race were mere “observations.” Marcos claimed that he “did not make any comment or disclosure pertaining to the revision proceedings that may be construed as prejudging the issue,…
Activist from Mindanao detained for 28 hours in US airport A human rights group has called on Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday, April 23 to file a diplomatic complaint against the Trump administration after a young Filipino activist was detained in the U.S. for 28 hours last week and sent back to…
The Philippines now recognizes a divorce obtained by a Filipino citizen against a foreign spouse outside the country, according to the Supreme Court (SC). In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, April 24, the SC ruled “that a foreign divorce secured by a Filipino against a foreign spouse is also considered valid in the Philippines, even…
The government of Kuwait on Monday, April 23, has assured the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state. According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Kuwait made the assurance on during a meeting between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Kuwaiti Ambassador Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh in Davao City. “During the meeting,…
Legazpi City, Albay — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, April 21, called on motorcycle riders and enthusiasts to promote road safety by being drug- and alcohol-free. “Do keep in mind that it is not just purely an adventure when you are on the road. I ask you to promote road safety and observing traffic…
European Parliament insists PH should follow due process Malacañang on Friday, April 20, slammed the European Parliament yet again over the latter’s latest resolution urging the Philippine government to stop its anti-illegal drugs campaign that has reportedly claimed about 12,000 lives since mid-2016. Calling the European Parliament’s latest move a form of “interference” into the…
Case likened to actions ‘usually seen in action movies’ Three American men were convicted Wednesday, April 18 for a murder conspiracy plot in which they assassinated a real-estate agent in the Philippines for cash six years ago. Former U.S. Army sergeant and sniper instructor Joseph Hunter, also known as “Rambo,” was found guilty in Federal…
Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to put Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno “on equal footing with other public servants” when deciding on his quo warranto petition against her. In a memorandum submitted to the SC on Friday, April 20, Calida insisted that Sereno’s appointment should be “void” from…
Malacañang on Friday, April 20, belied claims that 71-year-old Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox has not spoken at rallies she attended in the Philippines. During a news briefing, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. presented a photo supposedly taken April 9, showing Fox holding a microphone during a protest. “I heard the CBCP say that Sister…
Pulitzer Prizes were once again announced on Monday, April 16, entering the second decade of awarding excellence in newspaper journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. Among this year’s list of winners was Filipino Reuters journalist Manuel “Manny” Mogato, who with his colleagues Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall, won a Pulitzer Prize in the…
The camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo should cease from making accusations harming the integrity of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of Marcos, said the vice president should stop accusing the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as PET, “of systematically reducing her…
The Supreme Court (SC) may decide on the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s appointment next month, according to Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday, April 19. “We hope to decide as soon as we can. I cannot talk on that yet but we hope to finish it by end of May….
There is no crackdown of foreigners who were critical of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang said, as it justified the recent detention of 71-year-old Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, April 19, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. stressed that the law banning foreigners from participating in political activities in…
Malacañang on Thursday, April 19, stressed that foreigners are prohibited by law to engage in any political activity in the country. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. in a Palace press briefing mentioned this prohibition in relation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s order to conduct a probe against Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox. Roque said the…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday led the change of command rites of the Philippine National Police and renewed his warning against those involved in illegal drugs. “Before acknowledging everybody and anybody, I’d like to just issue a warning, not give, but issue talaga. That kayong mga pulis nasa droga, nasa kidnap for ransom kung ano-anong…
The construction of New Clark City, a modern metropolis envisioned to be next growth driver in Luzon, is on track, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Monday.This was assured by BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon after meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte about New Clark City, one of the big-ticket projects…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 18, reiterated that he is against the legalization of divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country. Duterte said he could not support House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s bill because his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is “not happy” with his proposed law. “I’m sorry but I cannot…
Senator Leila De Lima will remain in detention after the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed her motion for reconsideration on the arrest warrant against her issued by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC). In a ruling penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the SC upheld the arrest order against the senator, which was issued by Muntinlupa…
The construction of a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) storage facility in Basa Air Base in Pampanga began on Tuesday, April 17. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and United States Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the warehouse, which is one of five projects under the Enhanced…
