Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
President Duterte to new gov’t officials: Resist any temptation President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, April 17, called on newly appointed government officials to stand up to any temptation that may hurt their good name. The President administered the mass oath taking of officials from various government offices at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace….
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 18, commended outgoing Armed Forces of he Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero for his successful stint in the AFP, including the handling of the Marawi City reconstruction efforts, and announced that Guerrero will be leading the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). “Alam mo sir, matagal ng…
Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa bade goodbye to police service in tears on Monday, April 16. During his final flag-raising ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa thanked the police force for their hard work in implementing the anti-illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela…
Senator Nancy Binay has signed a draft committee report on the Dengvaxia controversy recommending the filing of charges against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his officials. “I signed already,” Binay told reporters on Monday, April 16. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Richard Gordon, is seeking the prosecution of Aquino and his…
The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, April 16, justified the detention and deportation of a European politician, explaining that it is illegal for a tourist to engage in any “partisan political activity.” Giacomo Filibeck, the deputy secretary general of the Party of European Socialist (PES) and a native of Italy, was detained at…
Boracay, Aklan – Malacañang on Tuesday, April 17 stressed that the total closure of Boracay for a maximum period of six months was the only way to save the island from further damage. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said this during his press briefing here at the Savoy Hotel, nine days before the expected shutdown….
Former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his Cabinet officials should be held criminally liable for the Dengvaxia mess, according to a draft report by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee is recommending the prosecution of Aquino and his officials “for all the tragedy, damage and possible deaths” resulting from his administration’s scrapped…
The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has ordered Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to explain why they should not be cited in contempt for disclosing information on the vote recount. The PET, in a resolution made public on Thursday, April 12, issued a…
A Filipino-American group has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to file a motion seeking the revocation of the approval of former senator Jinggoy Estrada’s trip to United States. In a letter dated April 9, the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG) clarified that they did not invite Estrada to speak before its members in…
PH and China ink six bilateral agreements Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13 said he wants the P4 billion in assistance from China to be used for repairing and equipping hospitals in Mindanao, particularly in Jolo and Basilan. Earlier this week, Duterte left for back-to-back trips to China and Hong Kong, taking home…
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, April 12, maintained that the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign is “constitutional, legal, and is implemented in the interest of public safety.” In a statement, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao dismissed anew the allegations that the deaths related to the drug war are state-sanctioned. “We maintain that the…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, April 13, lashed out anew against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling her “ignorant” and “dumb.” As he continued his series of word attacks against the top magistrate, Duterte said Sereno — who is currently facing a possible impeachment trial — should have quit her position a long time…
Despite a “provisional license” granted to a Chinese gaming firm, there will be no construction of any casino in Boracay, Malacañang said on Thursday, April 12. Last month, Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its Filipino partner, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., announced their plan to construct a casino-resort in Boracay after securing a provisional…
As the Philippines commemorate the Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) on Monday, April 9, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked Filipinos to always remember the World War II veterans, who fought for the country’s freedom. “Let us continue to celebrate and commemorate the valor and gallantry of our WW2 Veterans. Let us perpetuate the memory of their…
The Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to be to be transferred from Camp Bagong Diwa to the custody of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Witness Protection Program (WPP). In a resolution dated April 5, the anti-graft court’s First Division denied Napoles’ motion due to lack of merit,…
As the recount of 2016 vice presidential polls continues, more wet ballots were discovered in ballot boxes from Naga City, Camarines Sur. Aside from wet ballots, the camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said cut grass was also discovered in ballot boxes from the hometown of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. The…
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is considering the idea of hosting the Miss Universe pageant in 2019 after the rehabilitation of Boracay island. According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, it was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who suggested the hosting of another Miss Universe pageant in the country to help in reintroducing Boracay to the…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte formally declared war against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, calling the latter his “enemy.” In a press conference on Monday, April 9, at the Davao International Airport, Duterte vowed to do everything in his power to remove the top magistrate from her office. “I’m putting you on notice that I’m now…
The Philippines will urge the United States and China to exercise restraint and resume dialogue in order to prevent a “trade war” between the world’s biggest economies. Expressing concern over the worsening trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana on Monday, April 9, cautioned that there would be…
Quiboloy’s lawyer denies the allegations of human trafficking The FBI is conducting an investigation into the Hawaii chapter of Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s church on accusations of “aggressive fundraising” and possible human trafficking. As first reported by Hawaii News Now, the investigation is centered around Felina Salinas, the business manager of the Waipahu chapter of the Kingdom…
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Some one million visitors, local and foreign tourists alike, traveled to the Walled City of Intramuros for the observance of the Holy Week. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agency, the Intramuros Administration (IA), welcomed the visitors with a series of events to promote the Walled City as a holistic…
DAVAO CITY –The Philippines scored yet another tourism marketing coup with its successful hosting of the Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon on Sunday in this premier Mindanao city, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Thousands of people welcomed and cheered over 2,000 competitors in the different categories of this prestigious international sporting event that featured 21 world champions,…
The Philippines is monitoring the reported combat drills conducted by China in the South China Sea. This, according to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, following a recent Reuters report that said Beijing was holding exercises in a large “show of force” off Hainan Island in the South China Sea. “Of course. Our Navy and Air…
The Liberal Party (LP) is pushing for a “resistance” coalition in the 2019 elections to prevent any possible “slide to authoritarianism and anti-democratic rule.” In a statement released Tuesday, March 27, LP President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan stressed the need for a “strong” opposition coalition “to ensure that our democracy remains vibrant.” The LP, he…
The Philippines will not participate in any joint expeditions with the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, March 21. Duterte remarked that the Philippines would “stand on our own,” saying the country had enough of getting nothing but “brutality and agony.” “I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any…
MALACAÑANG on Monday, February 5, downplayed Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s latest request for a Senate investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family. In a briefing, Presidential Spokesperson harry Roque dismissed Trillanes’ accusations as old news. “Lumang tugtugin, lumang balita para ng sirang plaka (It’s old news that sounds like a…
An unfazed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 9 welcomed an international court’s move to conduct a preliminary examination into crimes against humanity allegedly committed under his drug war. Speaking at a conference in Davao City, Duterte said he is ready to face trial, further daring the International Criminal Court (ICC) to sentence him…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 7 said that the country will never reach any progress if he refrains from using a “dictatorial style” of leadership. Speaking before former communist rebels in Malacañang, Duterte said he needed to act like a dictator for the sake of the country’s development. “Sabi mo diktador, diktador talaga…
Two congressmen from the United States expressed their objections to the possible return of the historic Balangiga bells to the Philippines, citing the alleged massive human rights violations of the latter country’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. In a letter, Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts) had asked U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to “not…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to begin its “preliminary examination” into crimes against humanity allegedly committed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte under his ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. Malacañang on Thursday, February 8, confirmed that the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) will look into the country’s situation to determine if there was…
