National

DFA to Filipinos illegally staying in UAE: Regularize your stay by end of the month or face repatriation

(Eagle News)–Filipinos illegally staying in the United Arab Emirates only have until the end of the month to regularize their stay or face repatriation. This was the reminder issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs a day before the arrival in Manila of 150 Filipinos from Dubai who availed of the UAE amnesty program. The 14th batch of repatriates is expected to arrive at Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 8:45 a.m. […]

Cayetano: Number of votes PHL got to be reelected to UNHRC proof int’l community is confident in Duterte admin’s rights record

(Eagle News)–For Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, the number of votes the Philippines got to be reelected to the United Nations Human Rights Council “speaks volumes of the confidence of the international community on the human rights record of the Duterte administration.” On Friday, 165 out of 192 member-states voted for the Philippines’ reelection for 2018 to 2020. Apart from the Philippines, Bahrain, Cameroon, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Eritrea were voted into the body. “We […]

CHR to PHL gov’t following UNHRC reelection: Address “numerous allegations of human rights violations”

(Eagle News)—The Commission on Human Rights on Saturday, Oct. 13, said the Philippines’ reelection to the United Nations Human Rights Council “puts pressure on the Philippine government to address numerous allegations of human rights violations, starting with the growing cases of extrajudicial killings purportedly linked to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.” According to the CHR, the country’s “credibility to be part of this body” after all “rests on its ability to effect actions that will […]

Panelo: PHL reelection to UN Human Rights Council a “recognition that our gov’t respects human rights”

(Eagle News)–Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday, Oct. 13, said the Philippines’ reelection to the United Nations Human Rights Council was “recognition that our government respects human rights and will not tolerate abuse by those in authority.” In a statement, Panelo said the reelection was a “repudiation of the critics and detractors on President Duterte’s unrelenting war against illegal drugs.” He said with the reelection, the UN-HRC  acknowledges the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality […]

Sison slams Duterte for HK visit; calls Red October plot a “fairytale”

(Eagle News)—The Communist Party of the Philippines lashed out at President Rodrigo Duterte for what he said was the chief executive’s “callous show of affluence” when he went on a trip to Hong Kong. In a statement, Jose Maria Sison, CPP founder, said Duterte showed “cruel indifference to the millions upon millions of Filipinos who are suffering from  skyrocketing prices of rice and fuel, low wages, widespread joblessness and general deterioration of social conditions.” “With […]

PHL among nations elected to UN Human Rights Council sparking criticism from rights groups

  (Eagle News) — The Philippines was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday, October 12, along with Cameroon and Bahrain, drawing criticism and rebuke from various rights groups in Europe and North America, and even from former US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley. The Philippines was represented by incoming foreign affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who is currently the country’s permanent representative to the UN. The Department of Foreign Affairs announced […]

Panelo: Andanar-led PCOO still operational

(Eagle News)–Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Saturday, Oct. 13, clarified the Presidential Communications Operations Office was still in place. According to Panelo, who was named the government’s new spokesperson with Harry Roque expected to run for a Senate seat, the PCOO would  only cease to exist “until such time the (Office of the Press Secretary)” is created. This means Martin Andanar is still the PCOO head. President Rodrigo Duterte first offered the post of head […]

Gatchalian to SUCs, LUCs: Develop meaningful return service agreements for students

(Eagle News)—Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged state universities and local colleges to “develop meaningful return service agreements” to ensure that their students  contribute to nation-building, among others. Gatchalian issued the statement following what he said was pressure being exerted by lawmakers in the House of Representatives on the Commission on Higher Education for it to remove a provision in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Free Higher Education Law  that says that SUCs and LUCs should […]

Bello backs Senate version of Security of Tenure bill

(Eagle News)–Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday, Oct. 13, expressed support for the Senate’s version of thr Security of Tenure Bill, which President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent. In a radio interview, Bello said the bill, after all, provides “more remedies” in cases where employers circumvent provisions in the Labor Code at the expense of their employees. Duterte has vowed to put an end to contractualization, but noted that the ball was in […]

Villar to Filipinos: Plant veggies in your own backyards

(Eagle News)–Senator Cynthia Villar urged Filipinos to plant vegetables in their own backyards, noting that such a practice was the correct community response to the rising cost of commodities. “Urban gardening is possible even in the most crowded areas. You should seriously consider this new norm to ensure not only food on your tables, but the health of your family as well,” Villar, chair of the Senate committee on food and agriculture, said. According to […]

BIR to DICT: Why does the bureau still experience “erratic” network connections?

(Eagle News)–The Bureau of Internal Revenue has asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology to explain why the BIR continues to experience “erratic network connections in all its systems and electronic services in August this year” despite the supposed interventions made by the DICT. In a letter to DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., BIR Deputy Commissioner Lanee Cui-David asked the agency to provide an update on the measures it has taken so far to resolve the “bureau’s […]

Nancy Binay files COC for 2019 Senatorial race

(Eagle News) — Senator Nancy Binay on Friday, October 12 filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections main office in Intramuros, Manila as she seeks reelection in the 2019 election. Binay will run under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party. (Photos by Eagle News Service Jerold Tagbo)