National

PNP: At least 19 killed, several hurt in blasts at Jolo, Sulu cathedral

(Eagle News)–At least 19 people were killed after blasts at a cathedral in Jolo town in Sulu on Sunday, Jan. 27. Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said 19, mostly soldiers, were killed and 48 others were also injured after the explosions hit Marian Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. He said one explosion ripped through the cathedral itself first around 8:30 a.m., and then another took place in the parking lot. A Catholic mass […]

Pimentel urges LTO to improve process of issuing drivers’ licenses following experience at LTO Marikina branch

(Eagle News)—Senator Koko Pimentel has called on the Land Transportation Office to improve its process of issuing drivers’ licenses. Pimentel made the call after he said he had to have his picture taken twice when he applied for a renewal of his at the LTO branch in Marikina. “Dalawang beses ako kinunan ng pictures and digital signatures at different locations,” he said. The Department of Transportation said the first set of the picture and identification […]

Rio denies Drilon’s claim Mislatel franchise “void ipso facto”

(Eagle News)—Department of Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio on Saturday, Jan. 26, denied Senator Franklin Drilon’s claim the franchise of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. was void “ipso facto.” Mislatel is part of the consortium that was named the third telco player in the country. In a hearing by the Senate public services committee on Friday, Jan. 25, Drilon said that the franchise of Mislatel was “ipso facto” revoked because it failed to operate […]

Andaya renews call for Diokno to attend House panel inquiry into alleged anomalies in budget

(Eagle News)–Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 26, reiterated his call for Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to attend a House of Representatives’ panel  inquiry into alleged anomalies in the national budget. Andaya renewed the call following what he said were “developments” that include Public Works Secretary Mark Villar supposedly confirming on record what he has been saying all along—that “Diokno was the mastermind behind the P75-billion insertion in the DPWH (Department of Public Works […]

Comelec releases list of senatorial bets for 2019 polls

Says 13 may be stricken off final list (Eagle News)–The Commission on Elections on Saturday, Jan. 26, released the official list of senatorial bets for the May 2019 elections. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said of the initial 76 senatorial candidates, 13 may be stricken off the final list. Several candidates such as Senator Sergio Osmena III and re-electionist Senator Koko Pimentel are facing disqualification cases. The initial  76 senatorial bets are: ABEJO, VANGIE     AFUANG, […]

Robredo hails BOL ratification a “nationwide success”

(Eagle News)—Vice President Leni Robredo hailed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as a “nationwide success” which she said meant peace in Mindanao was now within reach. “Ang pagraratipika ng (BOL) ay isang makasaysayang tagumpay na dapat ipagmalaki ng lahat ng Pilipino, lalo na ng mga kapatid nating mula sa Mindanao,” Robredo said in a statement. She urged Filipinos to be vigilant and to continue to support the process “dahil hindi pa dito nagtatapos […]

Palace welcomes Cabinet’s “good” public satisfaction rating based on SWS survey

(Eagle News)—-The Palace on Friday, June 25, welcomed the results of the latest Social Weather Stations Survey that showed the Cabinet had a “good” public satisfaction rating. “The satisfactory rating given to the President’s Cabinet certainly is a source of inspiration for us to work harder to give full realisation to the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte of providing comfortable life to the Filipinos,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. According to Panelo, “complacency has no […]

Comelec: Bangsamoro Organic Law “deemed ratified”

(Eagle News)–The Bangsamoro Organic Law that replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more autonomous Bangsamoro has been “deemed ratified,” the Commission on Elections declared on Friday night. Comelec Chair Sherrif Abas made the declaration after it was found the “majority of the votes cast with all the provinces and cities of the present (ARMM) voting as one geographical area is in favor of the approval..” Based on the votes, included in the […]

EU hails peaceful conduct of Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite

The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in the Philippines:  The EU Delegation wishes to congratulate the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Commission on Elections for the generally peaceful conduct of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on 21 January 2019 before the second phase to be held on 6 February 2019. The creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is […]

Senate panel to recommend lowering minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12

(Eagle News) — The Senate justice committee will recommend lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12 years old. Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the committee, himself made the statement in an interview with reporters after the hearing on the issue on Friday, Jan. 25. The panel’s proposal is in line with the House of Representatives proposal that was passed on second reading on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The current law, […]

SWS: Senate gets “very good” public satisfaction rating; “Good” ratings given to House, SC, Cabinet

(Eagle News) — Public satisfaction in the performance of the Senate was at “very good,” while the House of Representatives’, the Supreme Court’s and the Cabinet’s were at “good,” a recent Social Weather Stations survey said. According to the Fourth Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey, 71% were satisfied with the Senate’s performance, while 13 percent were dissatisfied. The net satisfaction rating of the Senate rose by one grade from good to very good, up by 10 points from the +48 […]

Rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay aarangkada na sa Enero 27

(Eagle News) — Sisimulan na ng Department of Environment at Natural Resources (DENR) sa Linggo, Enero 27 ang rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay. Limang libong tao ang inaasahang makikiisa sa iba’t ibang aktibidad na gagawin sa pangunguna ng DENR. Kabilang dito ang mangrove planting sa Navotas City at clean–up drive sa Bacoor, Cavite, Obando, Bulacan at Gua- Gua, Pampanga. Bukod sa DENR, inaasahang dadalo din sa mga aktibidad ang mga opisyal ng Department of Tourism, Department […]