National

100 female soldiers, police for Marawi deployment

At least 100 enlisted and non-commissioned female personnel coming from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will be deployed to Marawi City. AFP public affairs chief Colonel Edgard Arevalo said the deployment of an all-female group of military and police  is to give a “feminine touch” to the ongoing crisis in Marawi City. He also said the battle area is predominantly male already so the Armed Forces and the PNP […]

Malacañang assures US of thorough probe on Kian’s death

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Malacañang assured there would be a fair and thorough investigation into the killing of 17-year-old Kian de los Santos by the Caloocan police. According to presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, President Rodrigo Duterte himself said that the police who killed Kian will face charges if proven liable. Abella made the assurance to the United States Embassy after US Ambassador Sung Kim visited the wake of De los Santos and asked […]

President Duterte renews commitment to rid gov’t of corruption

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to rid the government of corruption. “I said I would stop corruption in government. I’m doing it,” he said during the opening of a solar plant in Batangas. He provided what could be an explanation for why his son’s name was being dragged into the P6.4-B drug shipment mess, saying Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte–who eloped with his wife when he was 18 years […]

Palace says allegations vs vice-mayor Duterte should be vetted first

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Malacañang has refused to comment on allegations that Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was involved in the bribery issue in the Bureau of Customs, pending an inquiry into the matter. “We defer any comments after all there’s an inquiry going on and the President’s position is always that he doesn’t interfere,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing. He said that President Rodrigo Duterte is leaving […]

House reschedules budget hearing after no-show of COMELEC’s Bautista

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – The House Appropriations Committee postponed the Commission on Elections budget hearing on Wednesday, August 23, after COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista did not attend the hearing. According to COMELEC Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr., Bautista attended an important meeting with his children’s guidance counselor. “The chairman will be meeting with the guidance counselor of his children… That’s why he couldn’t attend this meeting right now,” Tolentino told lawmakers. Tolentino also […]

PNP Crime Lab: Kian died of two gunshot wounds; results contradict PAO report

  (Eagle News) — Seventeen-year-old Kian delos Santos died of two gunshot wounds in the head. This was according to the results of the autopsy performed by the Philippine National Police Crime Lab on the Grade 11 student, who was killed in a supposed anti-drug operation in Caloocan days ago. The results contradict the findings of the Public Attorneys Office, which said that the boy had died of three gunshots–two in the head and one […]

Ex-Customs Commissioner Faeldon denies receiving P100-m “pasalubong” money

(Eagle News) — Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Wednesday denied the allegations he received a welcome gift of P100 million as when he took over the helm of the Bureau of Customs, saying he “has not done any form of corruption in (his) many years of government service.” “I have not asked anybody to collect tara for me nor have I accepted any tara from anybody. Again, I have not done any form of […]

Senator Lacson bares systemic corruption at Customs bureau (with video and text of speech)

  (Eagle News) — Senator Panfilo Lacson delivered an explosive privilege speech at the Senate, baring the systemic and well-ingrained corruption at the Bureau of Customs, saying that even the top officials of the bureau led by former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon are on the take, receiving bribes through a so-called “tara” system. Lacson called the Bureau of Customs as a “haven for crooks, criminals, malefactors” and even deliberately mispronounced “felons” as “faeldons” in his […]

LOOK: Recipients, big players in Customs bureau “tara” system, based on Senator Lacson’s privilege speech

(Eagle News) — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday revealed the names of supposed players and recipients in the Bureau of Customs “tara system,” citing unimpeachable sources. Below are the supposed players, based on the senator’s “vetted and crosschecked” information. Recipients: Big players: Photos by Meanne Corvera, Eagle  News Service

Senator Gatchalian rushed to hospital due to dizziness; is now OK

(Eagle News) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday due to dizziness. According to Ahna Mejia, media relations officer, Gatchalian was rushed to Makati Medical Center so he could have a check-up with the family doctor. She said in a radio interview that Gatchalian may have felt dizzy because of lack of sleep, tiredness and hunger. He is, however, now doing OK, she said.

Lacson says Faeldon also received “payola” as Customs head; Reveals “P100-M pasalubong” to the Navy man

(Eagle News) — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday accused former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon of receiving monetary benefits amounting in the millions when he was at the helm of the Bureau of Customs. “Loud whispers in the four corners of the (BoC) compound tell of a P100-million pasalubong to the newly installed commissioner…,” he said in an explosive privilege speech. He said P25 million of the P100 million was “retained as finder’s fee by his […]

Lawyer, former congressman file impeachment complaint vs Comelec Chair Bautista

(Eagle News) — An impeachment complaint has been filed against Commission on Elections Andres Bautista. Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and former congressman Jacinto Paras filed the complaint before the House of Representatives. Three legislators–Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque, Cebu Rep. Gwen Garcia and Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino—endorsed the complaint for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution over allegations of ill-gotten wealth. Bautista’s estranged wife Patricia has said he could have over P1 billion […]