by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump backed off his demand for $5 billion in border wall funding Tuesday, but his subsequent offer was rejected by congressional Democrats, leaving the opposing sides struggling to avert a partial US government shutdown. Trump had stood firm for days, declaring he needed the funds to build the controversial wall, defiantly proclaiming last week that he would be “proud” to stop some […]
Tag: Congress
In response to third Mindanao martial law extension, CPP orders NPA to intensify attacks vs gov’t security forces
(Eagle News) — The Communist Party of the Philippines has ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to intensify its attacks against government security forces in response to Congress’ approval of a third martial law extension in Mindanao. In a statement, the CPP ordered NPA guerrillas “to exert all possible effort to punish the worst fascist units and officers of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) who have committed grave crimes against the […]
PNP hails Congress’ approval of third martial law extension in Mindanao; vows to respect human rights, follow rule of law
(Eagle News) — The Philippine National Police on Wednesday, Dec. 12, vowed to continue respecting human rights and to continue following the rule of law. PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde issued the statement after Congress approved a third extension of martial law in Mindanao, heeding the request of President Rodrigo Duterte who had cited the need to sustain the gains in the region and the need to quell the existing rebellion there. This is the third […]
Palace thanks Congress for approving third extension of martial law in Mindanao
(Eagle News) — The Palace on Wednesday, Dec. 12, thanked Congress for approving President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for a third extension of martial law in Mindanao. “We thank our lawmakers for sharing the Executive’s view that the extension is purely intended for the general welfare and well being of the people of Mindanao,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement, calling the approval a “positive development.” According to Panelo, “public safety demands decisive action […]
AFP extends “appreciation” for Congress’ grant of another extension of martial law in Mindanao
(Eagle News)– The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday, Dec. 12, extended its “appreciation” for Congress’ grant of another extension of martial law in Mindanao. ““We appreciate this grant that lengthens the period of Martial Law implementation (in Mindanao)..,” Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said in a statement. He said the AFP was “mindful that it is impressed with enormous responsibility…to quell the rebellion that persists in Mindanao and prevent lawless violence by […]
Congress approves one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao anew
(Eagle News) — The 17th Congress on Wednesday, Dec. 12, voted to extend martial law in Mindanao for a third time. Two hundred thirty five lawmakers voted for the extension, 28 against it, and one abstained. Among the senators, 12 senators–Senate President Tito Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Gringo Honasan, Ping Lacson, Richard Gordon, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Koko Pimentel, JV Ejercito, Sonny Angara, Sherwin Gatchalian and Manny Pacquiao–voted for the extension […]
Congress convenes in joint session to discuss whether to extend martial law in Mindanao or not for third time
Palace says martial law still needed because of “subsisting rebellion” in region (Eagle News) — Congress convened in a joint session on Wednesday, Dec. 12, to discuss whether to extend martial law in Mindanao, which expires on Dec. 31, anew. In seeking for the martial law extension for a third time, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea cited a “subsisting rebellion” in the region despite what he said were the “substantial gains” accomplished while martial law was […]
Zubiri: If joint session pushes through next week, passage of proposed 2019 budget will be derailed
(Eagle News) — The passage of the proposed P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget will be derailed if a joint session on the proposed extension of martial law in Mindanao pushes through on Wednesday, Dec. 12, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Friday, Dec. 7. “That will delay the budget schedule because we start 10 in the morning everyday. Definitely it will delay because we have to travel siyempre pupunta kami sa Kongreso para sa joint session dahil […]
Sotto: Duterte might call for joint session next week
(Eagle News) — Senate President Tito Sotto on Friday, Dec. 7, said President Rodrigo might call for a joint session of Congress for another extension of martial law in Mindanao. According to Sotto, the President sent him a message, “saying he might call for it on Wednesday, December 12.” “But nothing is concrete until I receive his letter,” Sotto said. According to Sotto, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will give senators a briefing on […]
President Duterte: My son Paolo will run for a House seat to get back at Trillanes
(Eagle News)–Former Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte is running for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2019 elections. President Rodrigo Duterte himself, the former vice mayor’s father, revealed this in a speech before members of the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea on Friday, Nov. 16. The President is attending the 26th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Econonic Leaders Meeting there, but cut short his trip. “I think he’s (Paolo Duterte) running for […]
Pampanga solon denies owning SUV that figured in road rage incident in Angeles City
(Eagle News) — Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II on Tuesday, Nov. 13, denied he owned the sport utility vehicle that figured in a road rage incident in Angeles. In the first place, Lazatin said based on the viral video that showed the Toyota FJ Cruiser in a heated exchange with a motorist in Balibago, the SUV’s plate number was issued to members of the 16th Congress. He said he was only recently elected […]
House appropriations committee endorses P18.68 billion DOF budget
The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives has already formally endorsed for congressional approval the proposed P18.68-billion budget of the Department of Finance (DOF) under the new cash-based system in which the implementation of projects and the procurement of goods and services are done within the given fiscal year. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the DOF budget for 2019 is 3 percent or P630 million lower than the appropriation for the […]





