National
Duterte to lead Transition Commission on federalism: Puno
June 21, 2018, 5:50 pm
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte will lead a 10-member Transition Commission on Federalism as the country prepares to shift towards a federal form of government. Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno bared this during the 1st National Forum and Public Consultation dubbed “Revisiting the 1987… Read More
Palace welcomes ex-President Aquino's indictment over DAP
June 21, 2018, 5:47 pm
MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to indict former president Benigno Aquino III over the alleged anomalous implementation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). “It’s the call of the Ombudsman as a Constitutional office to file… Read More
PH not ready for same-sex marriage: Palace
June 21, 2018, 5:42 pm
MANILA – The Philippines, as well as its Supreme Court (SC), is not yet ready for same-sex marriage, Malacañang said on Thursday. “I do really believe that the Supreme court and the country is not yet ready for this kind of proposal of marriage amongst same sex,” Presidential spokesperson… Read More
ConCom wants CHR to have its own Witness Protection Program
June 21, 2018, 5:36 pm
MANILA -- After voting to raise the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to the status of an independent constitutional body, the expert panel tasked to draft a Federal Constitution wants to give the body its own Witness Protection Program (WPP). This was among the draft Federal Constitution’s… Read More
Lawmakers laud signing of Mental Health law
June 21, 2018, 4:52 pm
MANILA -- Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Thursday lauded the signing of a landmark law that will provide a national mental health system in the Philippines. President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law Republic Act No. 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law. “Truly fantastic… Read More
Norway: ‘We’re committed to facilitating peace talks’
June 21, 2018, 4:51 pm
OSLO, Norway -- The Norwegian government is still strongly committed to facilitating the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF). This was emphasized by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide to Presidential Peace… Read More
Over 11K to benefit from TESDA's first Nat'l Assessment Day
June 21, 2018, 4:49 pm
MANILA -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) expects some 11,200 people to benefit from its first National Assessment Day on June 26-27, an executive of the agency has estimated. "This is the first time that TESDA will provide free assessment to anyone who intends to… Read More
Duterte signs Mental Health Law
June 21, 2018, 4:46 pm
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law that aims to enhance the delivery of integrated mental health services in the country. The 36-page new law, which was signed by Duterte on June 20, will also promote and protect the rights… Read More
New Delhi-Manila direct flights eyed this year
June 21, 2018, 4:20 pm
MANILA-- The India embassy to the Philippines revealed that the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific intend to launch direct flights from Manila to New Delhi within the year. "The Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are looking at direct flights between India and the Philippines in the latter… Read More
NDRRMC conducts Q2 nationwide quake drill
June 21, 2018, 3:56 pm
MANILA -- In line with efforts to create more disaster resilient communities, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council conducted its 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) Thursday afternoon. Ceremonial venue for 2nd Quarter NSED is at Barangay Sta. Ana, San… Read More
Guevarra on granting Fox's appeal: 'It's following the rule of law'
June 21, 2018, 3:52 pm
MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday clarified that he is just following the rule of law when he granted the appeal of Australian nun Sr. Patricia Fox to reverse the Bureau of Immigration's decision forfeiting her visa and ordering her to leave the country. “The instruction… Read More
Manila, New Delhi work to develop pharmaceutical industry in PH
June 21, 2018, 3:48 pm
MANILA -- With improving Philippine-Indian bilateral relations since President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to New Delhi, the two countries continue discussions on improving the country's pharmaceutical industry, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar said. Last April, the two nations… Read More
Navy to get additional missile-armed frigates
June 21, 2018, 3:46 pm
MANILA -- Aside from the two missile-armed frigates now undergoing construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, the Philippine Navy (PN) will be getting additional ships of the same class, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Wednesday. Acquisition for these additional frigates… Read More
DND not against stand-down deal for peace talks
June 21, 2018, 3:11 pm
MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) said it sees nothing wrong in the stand-down agreement for the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels as long as both parties adhere to it. In fact, anything that will bring about legitimate and… Read More
Gov’t formally suspends back channel talks with NDFP
June 21, 2018, 2:51 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine government has formally informed the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) about the government’s decision to suspend all back channel talks pending the three-month review of all signed agreements related to the peace negotiations, a government negotiator… Read More
Anti-‘tambay’ drive nets 664 violators in Manila, southern NCR
June 21, 2018, 2:49 pm
MANILA -- Police authorities arrested 664 violators of local ordinances against ”tambays” or loiterers in separate operations in various parts of Metro Manila. Of the number, 566 violators were from the southern cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) and 98 from Manila. In his report to… Read More
Duterte first ‘casualty’ of anti-dynasty provision under federalism
June 21, 2018, 12:56 pm
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte will be the “first casualty” of the ban on political dynasties under the proposed Federal Constitution being drafted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) to review the 1987 Constitution. Former Chief Justice and ConCom Chairman Reynato Puno made this… Read More
PH Army deploys additional troops for Marawi rehab
June 21, 2018, 11:28 am
MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday deployed the 12th Civil-Military Operation Battalion and the so-called "Hijab" troopers to help in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of war-devastated Marawi City. Send-off ceremonies took place at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, Army spokesperson Lt.… Read More
PH to have force projection capabilities with diesel-electric subs
June 21, 2018, 10:34 am
MANILA -- Having a small squadron of diesel-electric submarines will give the Philippines force projection capabilities. This was emphasized by Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong in an interview Wednesday. "(Once the Philippines acquires its first diesel-electric submarines), we will be joining… Read More
Galvez lauds MSU grads for pursuing studies amid Marawi conflict
June 21, 2018, 10:30 am
MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., lauded the courage of students and faculty members of the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus in Marawi City for having the courage to proceed with their academic schedules despite the ongoing battle… Read More
