Parliamentarians renew call for De Lima’s release
Parliamentarians renew call for De Lima’s releasehome/News/Nation/Parliamentarians renew call for De Lima’s releaseParliamentarians from Southeast Asia on Saturday reiterated their call for the release of Sen. Leila de Lima, who marks her second year in detention on February 24. “The charges against her fly in the face of justice and the Philippine government must end its judicial harassment against her without further delay,” Santiago said. Her prolonged and unjust imprisonment has been nothing but an attempt to deliberately silence Senator de Lima’s efforts, which were focused on important matters of public interest,” Santiago said. “Senator de Lima’s only ‘crime’ was trying to end the bloody anti-drug campaign unleashed under the current government. The Philippine people need more champions for justice like the senator.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:48 UTC
Japan commits $16.2M for new region
Japan commits $16.2M for new regionhome/News/Top Stories/Japan commits $16.2M for new regionTHE Japanese government has committed a ¥1.8-billion ($16.2 million) grant for the construction of infrastructure projects and implementation of programs in the Bangsamoro Region. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said part of the grant would be used to establish TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority centers and acquire equipment that would help sustain peace and development in the region through the acceleration of human capital development. The Philippines and Japan exchanged notes on three non-project grant aids (NPGA) worth ¥3.56 billion on the sidelines of the 7th Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation on February 21 in Osaka, Japan. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel 5th and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda exchanged notes on a ¥1.8-billion grant for the TESDA Centers program, ¥560-million grant for the Economic and Social Development Program (Well-Drilling and Underground Water Detecting Machines) and a ¥1.2-billion grant for the Economic and Social Development Program (Train Simulator). The exchanges of notes were witnessed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd , Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, officials from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the Philippine Consulate-General in Osaka, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and other Philippine government agencies.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:37 UTC
Govt vows to provide Bangsamoro budget
Govt vows to provide Bangsamoro budgethome/News/Headlines/Govt vows to provide Bangsamoro budgetPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to provide a budget for the Bangsamoro autonomous region to support its development. He assured members of the Bangsamoro transition government that the region’s resources will belong to the Bangsamoro people. It’s all yours,” Duterte told the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) that will govern the newly formed Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Duterte said the government must collect ample revenues that would be allocated to the Bangsamoro region. The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) congratulated the government, MILF and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission as ell as local communities on the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:26 UTC
Today’s people power is vote power – Aquino
Today’s people power is vote power – AquinoBy The Manila Timeshome/News/Top Stories/Today’s people power is vote power – AquinoFilipinos should air their grievances with the government through the ballot in the May 13 mid-term elections, according to Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th..Saying today’s people power is vote power, Aquino said, “Alam kong nakakatakot ngayon, pero kailangan nating ipakita ang ating tapang sa pamamagitan ng ating boto [I know it’s scary now, but we need to show our courage through our votes].”“I’m hoping come May, iyong lakas ng taumbayan, mapakita ulit [the power of the people will resurface],” the senator, who is running for reelection under the Otso Diretso slate, added. And somebody has got to do it,” Aquino said. The senator said he is banking on his legislative accomplishments to earn him a second term in the Senate. In his first term, Aquino has 35 laws to his name, including the landmark free college law, which he pushed as principal sponsor during his term as chairman of the Senate Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. If he wins a second term, Aquino vowed to push for reforms that will ensure good jobs for all college and K-12 graduates, enhance educational facilities and benefits for teachers.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:26 UTC
New leader rises for Mindanao terrorists
New leader rises for Mindanao terroristsBy ASSOCIATED PRESShome/News/Top Stories/New leader rises for Mindanao terroristsUnlike many of his slain comrades, the touted new leader of the Islamic State group in the southern Philippines lacks the bravado, clan name or foreign training. Among those killed was Isnilon Hapilon, a fierce Abu Sayyaf leader, who was the first IS-designated leader in the Philippines. That’s the role of Sawadjaan,” Año told The Associated Press in an interview. They joined the Abu Sayyaf, which had just been organized by a Libyan-educated local militant, said MNLF leader Yusop Jikiri. A video obtained by police officials showed al-Maghribi in Sawadjaan’s camp last year before the foreign terrorist reportedly carried out the suicide attack in Basilan.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:26 UTC
AFP honored for pursuing peace
AFP honored for pursuing peaceBy ROY NARRAhome/News/Top Stories/AFP honored for pursuing peaceThe Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been recognized by a foundation for its pursuit of lasting peace in the country. AFP chief of staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. recently received the “Kapit-Bisig” trophy from Metrobank Foundation Inc., Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy and Commitment to Excellence (Peace), for “uplifting the lives of the least in society.”The 2019 Peace honorees come from various institutions, such as national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, diplomatic missions, media, business and the academe. Besides the Peace recognition, 40 former and current Armed Forces officials also received the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) this year. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr., acting AFP inspector general; Chief Master Sergeant Nelson Mercado, PAF; Col. Hernanie Songano, Philippine Navy and Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Army. The ACES awardees were presented with the Spiral medallion by the Metrobank Foundation board members.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:26 UTC
4 detainees killed in drug raid at Davao City Jail
DAVAO CITY — Four inmates were killed, while a jail official tested positive for drug use, following a raid at the Davao City Jail early Saturday, police said. ADVERTISEMENTThe Davao City Police Office identified the fatalities as Alvin Celis, Dexter Delfino, Flor Leonard Resturo and Jerry Fernandez. About 1,000 police officers, soldiers, and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) carried out Operation Greyhound which started around 3 a.m., with enforcers conducting searches and subjecting inmates and jail personnel to random drug testing. Roman Hernandez, BJMP Davao del Sur provincial administrator, and nine detainees allegedly tested positive for drugs following a surprise random test. 18 of the annex building were herded out one by one for a body search and random drug testing at around 10:30 a.m.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
India-Pakistan standoff ‘dangerous’
India-Pakistan standoff ‘dangerous’home/News/World/India-Pakistan standoff ‘dangerous’WASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump voiced alarm Friday (Saturday in Manila) at the “very dangerous situation” between India and Pakistan, warning that New Delhi was considering “very strong” action after an attack in Kashmir. We would like to see it stop,” Trump said, adding that the United States was seeking talks with Pakistan. .Tensions have soared between the nuclear-armed rivals since a suicide attack last week killed 41 soldiers on the Indian side of divided Kashmir, the deadliest attack in years. The United States in recent years has allied with India, seeing common interests with a fellow democracy that has been battling Islamist extremists. “Pakistan was taking very strong advantage of the United States under other presidents,” Trump said.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
US govt cracks down on abortion
US govt cracks down on abortionBy ASSOCIATED PRESShome/News/World/US govt cracks down on abortionWASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration on Friday (Saturday in Manila) set up new obstacles for women seeking abortions, barring taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from making abortion referrals. The final rule released Friday by the Health and Human Services Department will also prohibit federally funded family planning clinics from being housed in the same locations as abortion providers and require stricter financial separation. Clinic staff will still be permitted to discuss abortion with clients, along with other options. By law, the family planning program does not pay for abortions. Administration officials told abortion opponents on a call Friday that they expect legal action, according to a participant.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
Myanmar ethnic group calls for greater China role in peace effort
Myanmar ethnic group calls for greater China role in peace effortBy GLOBAL TIMEShome/News/World/Myanmar ethnic group calls for greater China role in peace effortAs the political reconciliation is underway in Myanmar, Shan State Army-South (SSAS) Chairman, Lieutenant General Yawd Serk hopes China would play a greater role in the process of achieving peace in the country. “I hope China can participate in Myanmar peace process at a greater width. Shan State in east Myanmar borders with China, Laos and Thailand, and is the country’s largest state. Loi Tai Leng has undergone tremendous changes since the reporter first visited here six years ago. GLOBAL TIMES
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
Trump says summit with Xi set in March
Trump says summit with Xi set in MarchBy The Manila Timeshome/News/World/Trump says summit with Xi set in MarchWASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump on Friday (Saturday in Manila) said a trade summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping was likely to occur next month, and hailed two days of “very good talks” by negotiators. But Trump again said he was considering pushing back the deadline for raising tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports. “We expect to have a meeting sometime in a not too distant future,” he said of the meeting with Xi. And Trump said an agreement on currency manipulation would be included in the trade pact. “From China, we believe that it is very likely that it will happen,” Chinese Trade envoy Liu He said, speaking through an interpreter.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
Kim to visit Vietnam before meeting Trump
Kim to visit Vietnam before meeting TrumpBy The Manila Timeshome/News/World/Kim to visit Vietnam before meeting TrumpHANOI: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would soon make an official visit to Vietnam, officials said Saturday, as Hanoi prepares to host Kim and US President Donald Trump for a summit next week. “Kim Jong Un will pay an official visit to Vietnam in the coming days,” Vietnam’s foreign ministry said Saturday on its Facebook page. Media did not specify when the visit will take place, but several sources told AFP Friday that Kim was expected to arrive late on February 25 or February 26 by train. Kim and Trump will meet on February 27 to 28, the second summit between the two leaders aimed at dismantling Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal. Kim is expected to travel to Vietnam by train, stopping at the Dong Dang train station near the China border before making the 170-kilometer (105 mile) journey to Hanoi by car.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
BSP governor dies at 60
BSP governor dies at 60By The Manila Timeshome/Second Headline/BSP governor dies at 60Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. passed away on Saturday at the age of 60, sources said. The BSP has yet to issue an official statement on his demise. The veteran banker has been battling tongue cancer since 2017. In February 2018, Espenilla announced that he was cancer-free but he resumed treatments in September and took intermittent medical leaves. Espenilla was appointed BSP governor in May 2017.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:15 UTC
Biggest improv comedy festival in Asia returns
Biggest improv comedy festival in Asia returnsBy The Manila TimesIt’s back! Third World Improv and the PETA Theater Center in cooperation with Ticket2Me present anew the Manila Improv Festival. The festival is set to happen from March 27 to 31 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Manila Improv Festival, or MIF, is a globally recognized biennial showcase of the best acts in improvisational theater in the Asian region and beyond. This year’s Manila Improv Festival includes 58 local and international improv acts, including groups and individuals from Israel, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Australia, the United States, Spain, Colombia, France, and Venezuela in what is considered to be one of the major improv festivals in the world.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 17:03 UTC
R&B singer R. Kelly charged with aggravated sex abuse of 4 victims
R&B singer R. Kelly charged with aggravated sex abuse of 4 victimsBy The Manila Timeshome/News/World/R&B singer R. Kelly charged with aggravated sex abuse of 4 victimsCHICAGO: R. Kelly, the R&B star who has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves, is due in court Saturday (Sunday in Manila), after being charged with aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17. Kim Foxx on Friday announced the 10 counts against the 52-year-old Grammy winner, whose real name is Robert Kelly. She said the abuse dated back as far as 1998 and spanned more than a decade. Greenberg said he thinks prosecutors rushed to judgment Friday in charging Kelly, calling the singer “an innocent man.”“Mr. At a news conference earlier Friday in Chicago, Avenatti said a 14-year-old girl seen with R. Kelly on the video was among four victims mentioned in the indictment.
Source:Manila Times
February 23, 2019 16:52 UTC