Duterte reiterates his statement that Philip Goldberg, the United States Ambassador to the Philippines, is “gay.” He then follows up with a question on whether there was anything wrong with being labelled “gay” in his speech at the Malacañang on Tuesday, October 11, after the oath taking of the new appointees together with the officers […] More
Despite the call of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to continue the joint patrols between the Philippines and the US to guard territorial waters, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Defense Secretary Lorenzana not to prepare for joint patrols next year. Carpio insisted on the continued joint patrols, even stating that it is part of Duterte’s […] More
Actress Agot Isidro got the attention of the Filipinos in various social networking sites when she posted a status on her Facebook last October 7 about her opinion on Duterte’s decision to cut ties with several international entities such as the United States, United Nations, and European Union. The President earlier dared these three international […] More
The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Monday issued an apology to Vice President Leni Robredo and actress Agot Isidro for “distasteful” comment on official its Facebook page. “Certain distasteful statements have been posted in our Facebook page that in no way reflect NAPC’s views or values. We sincerely apologize to Vice President Robredo, Ms. Isidro, […] More
The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) expressed its worry over the rule of law in the Philippines in September, along with recent comments from the president that had the potential to strain bilateral relations. In an emailed statement, AmCham stated the “growing concern over developments that could harm the long-standing optimism of […] More
US Ambassador Philip Goldber told Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that it is not true that the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) plans to kill Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. It was during a Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum when the Defense chief said that he talked to Ambassador Goldberg. The US ambassador said […] More
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte brought up the close relations that exist between his family and the family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. At the Third Sulong Pilipinas Convention held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President took notice of the presence of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, whom he recalled as […] More
Numerous manufacturing and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies choose to put investments on hold while others take their ventures away as US and European investors have second thoughts on the Philippines. Business officials from US and Europe have also stated that several trade and investment missions to the Philippines are cancelled. This incident has been […] More
The Department of Justice (DOJ) denied receiving access-to-information requests for drug war data from the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Palace said on Saturday, October 8. “According to DOJ Secretary [Vitaliano Aguirre II], they have not received such requests, and should there be such requests it must confirm with FOI (Freedom of Information) […] More
After about two months of following up with six request and follow-up letters, 26 calls and six visits to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) is still empty-handed with its requests for information. The promise of […] More
Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on online gambling, Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada will proceed with his $2.4-billion casino investment in the Philippines, according to a top executive on October 5. Okada Manila is said to be the Philippines’ counterpart for Las Vegas. It will be among the billion dollar casinos lined up along a Manila […] More
After receiving criticisms from the United States, European Union, United Nations, and human rights advocates, President Rodrigo Duterte dared these countries and entities to withdraw their assistance to the Philippines if they continue to raise concern about the drug killings in the country. If the US, the EU, and the UN would take up that […] More