PH condemns Barcelona attack
DFA: 4 Irish citizens of Filipino descent among injured The Philippine government on Friday, August 18 condemned the terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain that left at least 13 people dead and…
Category: Dateline Philippines
Covering the week’s most noteworthy news stories in the Philippines for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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PH economy grows 6.5% in 2nd quarter
MANILA – The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.5 percent in the second quarter of 2017, according to the data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on…
Gordon, Sotto: No enough evidence linking Duterte’s son to smuggling case
MANILA – Senators Richard Gordon and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III claimed there is no sufficient evidence proving the involvement of President Rodrigo Duterte’s son Paolo in the smuggling of P6.4-billion…
Duterte: Drug problem can’t be solved in a single term
The drug menace in the country cannot be fixed in a single term, Philippine President Rodrigo admitted, saying that even the competent United States has been struggling against it. Duterte…
Trillanes, Faeldon clash at Senate probe on shabu smuggling
MANILA – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon had a heated exchange during the resumption of Senate inquiry into the entry of P6.4-billion worth…
PH urges US, N. Korea to desist from actions that may escalate tensions
The Philippine government on Monday, August 14 called on the United States and North Korea to “desist from threats and military action” that may escalate nuclear tensions between countries. In…
Group eyes second impeachment complaint against Comelec chief
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is planning to file a second impeachment complaint against Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista. Earlier this week, former Negros Oriental…
Sotto calls Callamard, UN rights execs ‘helicopter experts’
SENATE Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III on Monday, August 14, took a swipe at United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard and two other UN executives for criticizing…
CA rejects Taguiwalo’s appointment as DSWD chief
The Philippine Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, August 16, rejected the ad interim appointment of Judy Taguiwalo as the country’s Social Welfare Secretary. Taguiwalo is President Rodrigo Duterte’s third…
DFA urges Filipinos abroad to remain vigilant amid series of terror attacks
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called on Filipinos outside the country to remain vigilant, following the recent series of terror attacks abroad. In a statement released Tuesday, August…
Palace: Duterte supports impeachment of corrupt officials
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is going to support any move—including impeaching any official regardless of position—that would help in ridding the government of corruption, Malacañang said on Monday, August 14….
JV Ejercito acquitted over anomalous firearms deal
MANILA — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has acquitted Philippine Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito of technical malversation in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of P2.1 million-worth of firearms during…
ASEAN, China adopt framework for South China Sea code
Beijing sets precondition before talks MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to adopt a “framework” for further negotiations on a Code of Conduct…
“Filipinos are the ‘real’ judges”
Unfazed by the criticism coming from the government of the United States, Malacañang on Friday, July 21 said the ‘real judge’ of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is no…
BOC promotes tax-free ‘Balikbayan Box’ program
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is encouraging Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to use the tax-free “Balikbayan Box” program, saying that no one has availed of it yet as of…
Department of Foreign Affairs to name PH envoy to US soon
President Rodrigo Duterte will soon have his highest-ranking representative in Washington to serve as the Philippine ambassador to the United States, replacing the previous envoy who stepped down from his…
Despite MNLF snubbing in BBL draft, Moro leaders express optimism
SOME Mindanao leaders were in defense and even expressed their optimism despite the recent snubbing by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of its rival Moro group, Moro National Liberation…
Pres. Duterte to deliver a ‘direct to the point’ 50-min speech for SONA
For his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver a “direct to the point” speech that will run for about 50 minutes,…
PDP-Laban considers learning ideology, policy from China’s Communist Party
THE Philippines’ ruling political party is open to the possibility of learning new ideologies, policies — this time, from China’s sole governing party. Speaking before visiting Filipino journalists in Fujian…
Aquino indictment petty, says Aguirre
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said on Wednesday, July 19, that the Ombudsman’s indictment against former president Benigno Aquino III over the botched Mamasapano operation in 2015 is “weak.” Last week,…
Supt. Marcos, 18 others have yet to serve suspension, says PNP chief
The alleged police-suspects for killing an accused drug lord and an inmate have not yet served their suspension orders, Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa revealed on Monday, July…
Ombudsman Morales tells Duterte to review her statement
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales clarified that her “goading people to kill” comment was her own personal view and not something dictated by the law. “Her answer was ‘goading people to kill’…
Despite criticism, Duterte still finds a role model in FVR
ON some rare occasions, President Rodrigo Duterte can be soft toward his critics and their harsh remarks. Duterte, in his speech during former president Fidel Ramos’ book launching on…
President Duterte Addresses Fil-Am Tourists in Davao
DAVAO CITY — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addressed about 200 Filipino-American visitors in this city on Friday, July 14, urging them to be “ambassadors” bearing the message of change under his…
“It’s been a ‘roller coaster’ ride”
For Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, his first year in the office thus far has been filled with unpredictable highs and lows. It’s been 12 months since the tough-talking former Davao…
Duterte continues push for a drug-free community
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the need of eradicating drug impunity during the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday, May 11, in…
Duterte’s net worth increases by P3 million
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s net worth went up by over P3 million during his first six months in the office, according to his latest statement of assets, liabilities and net…
Obama congratulates Duterte
US reaffirms alliance with incoming PH president US President Barack Obama on Tuesday, May 17, personally called presumptive Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to congratulate him on his victory. “President Obama…
Abu Sayyaf will do ‘something terrible’ to 4 hostages if demands are not met
IN a video released this week by Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, captors of three foreign nationals and a Filipino woman held hostage say the foreigners will be killed in…
Missing German found off PH coast
THE body of a missing German adventurer was found inside an abandoned yacht off the coast of Barobo in Suigao del Sur. Two Filipino fishermen over the weekend discovered the…