Featured News

Sison: Signing of MOU on PHL-China oil, gas development a “clear act of treason”

(Eagle News)—Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison said the signing of the memorandum of agreement on oil and gas development between the Philippines and China was a “clear act of treason.” “…(It is a) blatant betrayal of the sovereign rights and national patrimony of the Philippines and the Filipino people,” he said. For one, he said the MOU “waste basket” the international arbitral ruling that nullified China’s excessive claims in the South […]

Recto hails PHL-China MOU on joint oil, gas development

(Eagle News)–Senator Ralph Recto  has hailed the memorandum of agreement on oil development between the Philippines and China. In a statement, Recto noted that Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario have said that our interests are “safe” and that “nothing is being given away” by the Philippines in the agreement. “This seal of a good agreement from two eminent experts bodes well for the eventual forging of a constitutionally-compliant venture […]

PAGASA: Typhoon “Tomas” now out of PAR but is forecast to re-enter within next 12 to 24 hours

(Eagle News)–Typhoon “Tomas” has moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility but is expected to re-enter within the next 12 to 24 hours. As of 10 a.m., the center of the typhoon was 1,445 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kilometers per hour. “Tomas” is moving north northeast at 15 kilometers per hour. According to […]

Xi extends “heartfelt thanks” to Duterte following historic two-day state visit

(Eagle News)–Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his “heartfelt thanks” to President Rodrigo Duterte following his historic two-day state visit to the country. “Upon the conclusion of my successful state visit to the Republic of the Philippines, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to you, Mr. President, and the Government and people of the Philippines for your friendship and warm hospitality,” Xi said in a letter dated Thursday, Nov. 22. According to Xi, who wrote […]

Makati RTC Branch 148 denies appeals of prosecutors, Trillanes of ruling on coup d’état case

(Eagle News)–The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has denied the partial motions for reconsideration filed by both state prosecutors and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. In denying the motions in a one-page order on Nov. 22, Judge Andres Soriano noted that they were a “mere rehash of the issues and arguments which have already been exhaustively threshed out, passed upon and discussed in the assailed order.” Prosecutors appealed for Soriano to reconsider his “factual findings […]

Five SC justices make it to JBC short list for Chief Justice post

(Eagle News) — The Judicial and Bar Council on Friday, Nov. 23, released its short list of nominees for the post of Chief Justice for transmittal to the President. The short list includes  Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes. All nominees were interviewed by the JBC behind closed doors. After the interviews, Carpio, Peralta, Bersamin and Bernabe got six votes; while Reyes got five. […]

Pimentel hails gov’t decision to call off Navy deployment to Panatag Shoal in 2016

(Eagle News) — Senator Koko Pimentel on Friday, Nov. 23, hailed the government’s decision to call off the deployment of the Philippine Navy to Panatag Shoal in 2016, after the international tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s excessive claims in the West Philippine Sea. “For me it was a good call,” Pimentel said, after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed the aborted plan prompted by President Rodrigo Duterte’s insistence the country employ a soft approach instead. According to […]

Palace: Ambush of soldiers, killings of local officials prompted decision to deploy additional troops to some areas

(Eagle News) — The ambush of soldiers providing relief to victims of a typhoon in Northern Samar, the armed attack on a police station in Lapinig, and the massacre of nine farmers in Sagay in October are only some of the incidents that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to order the deployment of additional troops to selected parts of the country. This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who issued a statement on Friday, Nov. […]

Comelec: Gun ban to start on Jan. 13 next year

(Eagle News) — The Commission on Elections on Friday, November 23, said the start of the gun ban for the 2019 elections was on  January 13, 2019. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the ban would last until June 12 of that year. During this time, the Comelec said any permit to carry weapons outside an individual’s residence or place of business would be ineffective. Jimenez said those who wish to be exempted from the gun ban […]

Lacson: Locsin getting CA confirmation as DFA chief “easier than singing in shower”

(Eagle News) — For Senator Panfilo Lacson, Teodoro Locsin Jr. getting the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments as Foreign Affairs secretary will be “easier than singing in the shower.” Lacson, chair of the foreign affairs panel, made the comment in a Tweet on Friday, Nov. 23, days before the CA was expected to take up Locsin’s appointment. President Rodrigo Duterte handpicked Locsin to replace then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who resigned to run […]

Lapeña files libel raps vs former Customs X-ray chief

(Eagle News) — Former Customs chief Isidro Lapeña on Friday, Nov. 23, filed libel charges against  former Customs X-ray chief Lourdes Mangaoang. The charges lodged before the Taguig Prosecutors Office stem from Mangaoang’s testimony before the Senate hearing the P11-billion shabu shipment that was allegedly smuggled inside the country that he said destroyed his reputation. Mangaoang had said Lapeña, now the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, had been coaching witnesses being invited to […]

Cusi gives assurance rights of oil exploration companies will be protected

(Eagle News) — Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Friday, Nov. 23, gave the assurance that the rights of oil companies who were awarded service contracts will be protected. Cusi made the statement after the Philippines and China inked a memorandum of understanding that would allow for a joint oil and gas development cooperation between the two countries. “I understand that there is great interest in the MOU signed with China. I would ask for everyone’s […]