Malacañang laughs off rumors about Duterte’s condition Malacañang on Monday, May 20, insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte was actually in good health, saying that he merely laughed off rumors he was confined in the hospital. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s voice was “very strong” and “upbeat” when they discussed the rumors about the president’s…
SENATORIAL candidates endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte maintained their lead in the partial and unofficial election results as of 10:44 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, with 96.54 percent of the votes tallied. The top five spots include Cynthia Villar (NP), who maintained her position with 24,840,806 votes, followed by Grace Poe (Independent) with 21,701,988 votes,…
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, May 14, said President Rodrigo Duterte and his drug war won as administration-backed senatorial candidates led the race in the 2019 election polls. “The Senatorial elections were not a referendum in favor of Charter Change either, the death penalty, and jailing minors. The elections were a referendum on…
According to President Rodrigo Duterte, vote buying is an “integral” part of elections in the Philippines, with the practice being fairly normal among Filipinos. He made the statement on Monday, May 13, after casting his vote in his hometown of Davao City. “Well, ganito iyan (it’s like this), if they are caught, they should be…
The Philippines’ recent credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor’s (S&P) is due to the economic reforms under the Duterte administration, Malacañang asserted on Thursday, May 2. S&P upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing the country’s consistent growth, solid fiscal accounts, and the economy’s sound external settings. According to…
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday, May 1, clarified that no rule from the new government guidelines on issuing working permits to foreigners is barring foreign journalists — especially those critical of the Duterte administration — from entering Philippines. The statement came after DOLE signed the Joint Guidelines on the Issuance of…
Malacañang on Monday, April 29, said China is open to bilateral talks to resolve the territorial incursions raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jingping last week. According to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Xi expressed willingness to discuss “irritants,” such as the increased presence of Chinese vessels in disputed areas,…
Time magazine held its annual gala in New York to celebrate the list of the “100 most influential people,” which included veteran Filipina journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa. Ressa, who has been a vocal critic against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, gave a speech on Tuesday night, April 23 wherein she said that “It’s…
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday, April 23, said the Philippines is expecting to seal at least $10 billion worth of investment and trade deals when President Rodrigo Duterte concludes his visit to China this week. Duterte arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, April 24, to attend the second Belt and Road Forum…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, April 21, said the United States knows a war against China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal is “not worth it,” stressing that the Philippines’ longtime ally was unreliable during the country’s 2012 standoff with China. He recalled how the U.S. brokered a deal between the Philippines and China, asking them…
News chiefs Maria Ressa of Rappler and Ellen Tordesillas of Vera Files on Monday, April 22, slammed Malacañang after the release of a matrix linking them and other journalists to an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang revealed that the“Oust-Duterte” matrix, which contained a web-like matrix implicating journalists and lawyers, was based on…
The Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) questioned the United States State Department list of countries with high kidnapping list as it included the country among the 35 countries in the travel advisory. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año doubted the accuracy of the list as he emphasized that the kidnapping cases decreased significantly…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, claimed some journalists are being paid to produce “false reports” to serve their “clients” while he dismissed reports about the increase of his wealth while in public service. “They accept (payment) from clients to (write) political attacks. AC/DC (attack and collect, defend and collect). You attack to get…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 11 threatened to veto the entire P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 if found to be problematic. During a campaign rally in Bacolod City, the president said that the budget has been submitted, but is pending his review. “Kita mo ‘yung budget. Ang budget kasa-submit lang. I have to…
Malacañang said martial law victims are entitled to compensation, following a United States federal judge’s approval to transfer the proceeds from the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ ill-gotten assets earlier this week. New York City district court Judge Katherine Polk Failla on Tuesday, April 9 signed the order that mandates the transfer of $13.75 million (P715…
Malacañang on Tuesday, April 9, downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a “revolutionary war.” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the remark was an “exasperated expression” directed, not at the people, but at the enemies of the state. “The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but precisely against their enemies…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to declare a “revolutionary war” and arrest his critics until the end of his term. In a speech on Thursday, April 4, the president warned that he would suspend the writ of habeas corpus and go after those who dare critique his methods to end criminality. “I have enough…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 4 demanded that China back off from Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), which has been swarmed by hundreds of Chinese ships this week. The president told reporters that he would not let China “occupy” the island as it belongs to the Philippines. “Pag-asa…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, April 2, said Beijing just wants to become a friend of the Philippines in lieu of defending his administration’s relationship with the country. Duterte, since taking post as the highest official in the country, has set aside Manila’s dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea to foster stronger and…
For President Rodrigo Duterte’s 74th birthday, his only wish is a more “prosperous and progressive” Philippines. “My wish is that we will just continue to progress and prosper, hindi tayo masali dyan sa mga gulo-gulo ng ibang bayan (we won’t be involved in the troubles of other nations),” he said before blowing out the candle…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 26, said he would rather sleep than hold a party for his birthday, The Philippine leader celebrated his 74th birthday last Thursday, March 28. During the campaign rally of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Koronadal, South Cotabato, he said, “Historically, ayaw ko talagang mag-celebrate ng…
Malacañang on Wednesday, March 20, said President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order that would give government workers their salary increases despite the stalled 2019 national budget. Executive Order No. 76, signed by Duterte on Friday, March 15, amends EO 201 or the 2016 Salary Standardization Law (SSL) to modify the salary schedule and…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 14, released the infamous list of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Duterte read the list compiled by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) out loud during the National Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City. It was broadcasted…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, March 13, announced he will be firing another set of government officials over corruption issues. “I will be firing another set of officials. I’m sorry. Mahirap kasi (It’s difficult). Iyan lang ano ko if you want to help me run the government at yung programa ko. You know, ako…
Malacañang announced on Tuesday, March 12, that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer push for the legalization of medical marijuana because he felt that it might go out of hand. “Kasi ang feeling niya (Duterte) you will be using that as an excuse, baka lumaki nang lumaki lang (Duterte feels that you will use…
As the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) becomes official on Sunday, March 17, it vowed to continue its probe on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs even after the withdrawal takes effect. Philippine Coalition for the ICC (PCICC) lead counsel Romel Bagares said that the international court ensured that all proceedings which…
According to the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) fourth-quarter survey, more Filipinos appear to be satisfied with the performance of the Duterte administration. The poll, which was released on Monday, March 11, revealed 76 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the work of the administration while nine percent said otherwise with a net satisfaction rating…
Priests remained firm in their criticism of the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as they shared the hateful messages they received from calling out the flaws in the government. Three Catholic priests Father Flavie Villanueva, Father Robert Reyes and Father Albert Alejo on Monday, March 11, revealed a series of death threats they received…
President spokesman Salvador Panelo responded to criticism surrounding his comment about alleged wiretapped intelligence reports from foreign governments, by saying that it was a mere “educated guess.” The spokesperson and chief legal counsel said that his claim was “an educated guess on what is happening in the world today. Countries whose survival depends on measures…
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Soc Villegas on Tuesday, March 5, posted a video compilation of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s accusations and tirades against the church over the past two years, a day shy of the supposed start of Lenten season. In an eight-minute video posted on Facebook, Villegas showed clips of Duterte hurling vulgarity and curses towards…
