TWO YEARS. It took that long for Congress to finally do one very important function the U.S. Constitution has mandated it to do: to fulfill its oversight responsibility, making sure co-equal branches of government provide checks and balances among each other so that no one individual or institution abuses its power and betray the public’s…
Malacañang on Monday, March 4, said it’s leaving the decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on whether to submit a diplomatic protest to stop Chinese vessels from driving away Filipinos from fishing grounds close to the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the government…
“ …As within, so without…” –Hermes Trismegistus WHILE appearances may deceive, more often than not, what you are is reflected on the outside. Becoming your own style icon does not mean maxing out your credit cards just to follow the latest fashion trends. Don’t do it. It’s a fool’s errand. You can never get caught…
FWD Life Philippines, one of the fastest-growing insurers in the country, returns as title sponsor of the “FWD North Pole Marathon” for the third time. “FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and one-of-a-kind event, as it resonates our core values of empowering people to pursue their passions and explore a…
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ landmark investment deal with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline group, was finalized this week. ANA Holdings on Thursday, February 28 completed the acquisition of a 9.5-percent stake in the operator of PAL, PAL Holdings disclosed in a stock exchange filing. The deal involved 1.1 billion shares of PAL Holdings,…
Philippine government officials in the education, health and law enforcement sectors urged the public, especially the parents of young children, to keep an eye on their kids’ online activities after accounts of the disturbing Momo challenge made its rounds on social media. The Department of Education (DepEd) encouraged the parents to ensure “open communication lines”…
An independent student newspaper at Princeton University released an article entitled “Filipino governor, Senate candidate falsely claims to have graduated from U,” in response to claims that Philippine Senate candidate Imee Marcos received a degree from the institution. According to the article, published on Tuesday, February 26, Marcos is “a Filipino governor that has stirred…
The Philippine National Police on Thursday, February 28 offered to protect priests who are facing death threats. Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David earlier confirmed that he had been receiving death threats from unknown people since early February. David, who is one of the targets of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches in the past, said he began…
by Shefali Luthra MEMBERS of the House on Wednesday, February 27 offered their version of a “Medicare-for-all” bill that is broader than what’s been put forth by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), whose 2016 presidential run pushed the issue into the political mainstream. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) unveiled the “Medicare for…
AS President Donald Trump marked the completion of two years into his presidency just last month, immigration remains to be the biggest issue for his administration, which has remained persistent in its immigrant curbing efforts and the wall along U.S.-Mexico border. In an immigration rights briefing on Thursday, February 28, immigration reform and rights advocates…
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week assured that the U.S. would uphold its treaty with the Philippines in the event the latter country is attacked in the South China Sea. Pompeo, who arrived in Manila on Thursday night, February 28, said during his joint press conference on Friday with Department of Foreign…
A bill prohibiting parents from using corporal punishment to discipline their children has been vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang on Thursday, February 28 released documents that showed the president vetoing the measure last February 23. The measure seeks to promote “positive and non-violent discipline” and protect children from punishments that range from physical to…
[Editor’s note: The original version of this column, published in the Asian Journal in March 2016, has been updated to reflect 2019 changes.] Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy. From the Vatican’s website, “The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is…
I WAS aware of Filipino actor/model and sportsman Derek Ramsay who’s been a famous actor, paired to talented actresses such as Angelica Panganiban, Cristine Reyes, Bea Alonzo, and Jennylyn Mercado. He was born Derek Arthur Ramsay Jr., while his dad’s name is Derek Arnold Ramsay. A friend of mine introduced me to another Derek…
IT was bigger than California, bigger than America. It was Hollywood’s finest moment. Celebrating the Academy Awards (nicknamed Oscar) is as old as a man’s knowledge of entertainment — music, laughter and despair. It is as fresh as a child’s first taste of make believe, the magic splendor of film making which has always been a part…
by Anna Gorman and Ana B. Ibarra Staff members at immigration detention centers in California delayed medical appointments for patients complaining of shortness of breath. They inadequately supervised suicidal youths. And in one case, they failed to refer a patient with dangerously low blood pressure to a physician. These and other health and safety problems…
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39). No one wants to be blind. No one wants to be deprived of seeing the beauty of this world, the people around us, especially our loved ones. No one cannot imagine himself or herself not being able to…
“We have to let the world know that we make beautiful and extraordinary products,” exclaimed Nathalie Lim when I asked her about her company Likha, which made its debut at last summer’s NY NOW, the premier retail market trade show in the United States. Headquartered in California, Lim and her husband Patrick started the company…
The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey revealed that most Filipinos believed that some police officers are involved in the illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and are often planting evidence against drug suspects. Illegal drug trade The survey which was released on Wednesday, February 27, asked: “Here are some accusations against policemen. In your…
Allowing the bitter-sweet fragments of the past to flow back freely inevitably creates either abysmal or ecstatic reminiscences. Regardless how profound and significant the recollections may be, there’ll constantly be recurring intense pain left in its afterthought or leaving a quaint smile on one’s lips while eyes are blinded with tears. I opted to focus…
20th Century Fox has just released the new trailer and poster for DARK PHOENIX. The film stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Evan Peters, and Jessica Chastain. DARK PHOENIX is scored by composer Hans Zimmer. DARK PHOENIX Release Date: June 7, 2019 Written and Directed by: Simon Kinberg Produced by: Simon…
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to shut down PLDT Inc. if it does not expand the citizens’ complaint hotline by at least one more trunk line for frontline government services. Speaking at a PDP-Laban campaign rally in Cebu City on Sunday, February 24, Duterte urged everyone to report any act of corruption seen committed by…
STATEMENT ON WASHINGTON POST’S ARTICLE 25 February 2019 We take strong exception to the article entitled, “This is Manila” that appeared on the front page of the Washington Post on 25 February 2019. It is disappointing how this article hides behind the guise of journalism to advance an agenda that seeks to discredit the Philippines…
A HUMAN rights lawyers group urged the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday, February 26, to dismiss the cyber libel complaint against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and co-accused, former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos. The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), along with former Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Theodore Te, filed a motion to quash the…
A COPY of a resolution suggesting Senator Antonio Trillanes IV be charged for inciting to sedition was made public on Tuesday, February 26. The resolution, dated Jan. 29, 2019, was released by Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado. Labor Undersecretary Jing Paras and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna filed sedition raps against Trillanes for his “incendiary…
