National

President Duterte wants 5-year validity of driver’s licenses, other transport sector upgrades

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — During his First State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (July 25), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte  said that he wants the validity of driver’s licenses extended from three years to five years to reduce queuing at the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He also said that that he will want queues in rail systems shortened by providing passengers with other areas such as malls to purchase tickets. The train […]

President Duterte renews call for Emergency Powers to address metro traffic

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Renewing his call for emergency powers to alleviate Metro Manila traffic, President Rodrigo Duterte during his First State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday said that it was up to the Congress to grant what he described “the most urgent” solution to commuters’ woes. “The worsening traffic situation can be addressed if congress will also grant Emergency Powers,” Duterte said He, however, said that if the congress will […]

DOLE finalizing memorandum to reduce “endo” practice by 50 percent in 2016

MANILA,Philippines July 26 — Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said that the Department will issue a memorandum which is aimed at reducing “endo” practice by 50 percent by the end of 2016. “I plan to reduce contractualization by 50 percent by the end of 2016. Workers under “endo” or “555” receive less than the mandated minimum wage without social protection benefits such as Social Security System (SSS), Pag-ibig, and PhilHealth. Bello said the Department […]

President vows to make dream of lasting peace come true in 1st SONA

  (Eagle News) – With a speech that lasted for more than an hour and 30 minutes, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he promised to bring an “enduring peace” to the country before his term ends and to help the poor and underprivileged in society. Duterte on Monday, July 25, also outlined what he would do in the next six years, including fighting crime, reducing poverty, establishing […]

Philippines’ Duterte declares communist ceasefire

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels who are waging one of Asia’s longest insurgencies, and urged them to reciprocate. Duterte made the announcement in his first “State of the Nation Address” to Congress as he laid the groundwork for peace talks with the communists that are due to begin in Norway next month. “To stop violence on the ground (and) restore peace, I am now […]

Former President Arroyo: ‘I was persecuted’

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo has declared herself a victim of political persecution, following her release from nearly five years in detention over a corruption case. In her first public comments since being freed from a military hospital on Thursday after the Supreme Court dismissed plunder charges against her, Arroyo insisted her detention was “unjust”. The court found “insufficient evidence” to accuse her of stealing 366 million pesos ($8.8 million) in […]

Andanar: SONA ni Duterte ‘very powerful’

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Asahan umano na magiging makabagbag damdamin ang speech ni President Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa kanyang kauna-unahang State of the Nation Address (SONA). Sinabi ni Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar na ang SONA ni Pangulong Duterte ay tiyak na pupukaw sa pagiging makabayan ng bawat Pilipino. Sa katunayan aniya ay napaluha siya noong una niyang nabasa ang magiging speech ni Pangulong Duterte sa SONA nito. Umabot din daw sa 10 […]

QC ready for SONA, identifies alternate routes

QUEZON CITY, July 24 (PIA)–To ensure orderly vehicular traffic during the President Rodrigo Duterte’s First State-of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) on Monday (July 25), the QC Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) is advising motorists and commuters, especially those bound for Commonwealth Avenue, Montalban and San Mateo and vice versa, to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. DPOS has already identified Mindanao Avenue via Quirino Highway or Sauyo Road as alternative routes for motorists going to Fairview […]

DFA statement on the Munich shooting

MANILA, Philippines (PIA) July 25 —  The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the Munich shooting. The statement was posted at the DFA website on July 24. “The Philippines offers its sincerest condolences and prayers to a grieving nation and to the family and friends of the victims of the shooting in Munich. The Philippine Government, through the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, is coordinating with German authorities and monitoring the situation closely. The […]

Duterte’s SONA sets change

MANILA, Philippines July 25 – Change has indeed come to the Palace where President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has begun underdressing the norm. Today, we see change knocking at the doors of the 17th Congress. From fashion to food to message and messenger, the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) under President Duterte is keeping everyone excited and grounded, and mindful of the work ahead, a complete departure from the procession of glitz and glamour and […]

SONA Trivia

(Eagle News) – Here are some interesting facts about the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the Philippines (trivia and infographics courtesy malacanang.gov.ph)   First SONA: The first SONA was delivered during a special session of the National Assembly on November 25, 1935. It was the only SONA delivered before a special session of the Legislature.   This was delivered by President Manuel Quezon to the First National Asembly on National Defense. Historically, SONAs have […]