Headlines

Bong Go challenges Trillanes to ‘1 on 1’ DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go has challenged Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to a “one-on-one” in whatever form to once and for all put an end to the senator’s tirades against him. “Kung gusto mo one-on-one na lang tayo. Basta one-on-one na lang tayo. Bahala na kahit anong one-on-one. Kahit saan, bahala ka na kung saan (if you want, let’s go one-on-one. It’s up to you, what kind of one-on-one. It’s up to you where to hold it),” Go said on Thursday. Go pointed out that Trillanes has been accusing him of a lot of things, including his plan to enter politics despite his denial that he will not run for senator in the 2019 elections. He also took a swipe at Trillanes, citing the time the former renegade navy official staged a coup only to surrender in the end. “Senator Trillanes, … [Read more...] about Bong Go challenges Trillanes to ‘1 on 1’

MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to release next month P20 billion in subsidies to the poor who are adversely affected by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua said yesterday. Cua revealed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has committed to provide P2,400 – the full amount that each can receive for 2018 – to eight million families who were targeted for the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program under TRAIN. The beneficiaries, he added, include three million senior citizens.  Under the law, eight million poor families would receive P200 per month, which totals P19.2 billion for this year alone. Yesterday, DSWD acting Secretary Virginia Orogo led the pilot payout of the UCT program to at least 733 indigent senior citizens in San Fernando, Pampanga. She explained that the release of benefits for the elders was delayed because the agency has to first validate its list of … [Read more...] about P20 billion TRAIN subsidies distributed in July

Joma Sison hits cancellation of peace talks Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star) - June 16, 2018 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison on Thursday criticized President Duterte for unilaterally cancelling the resumption of peace talks with the rebels. Sison said it was “disappointing and frustrating” that Duterte decided to cancel the peace talks at the last minute as preparations are underway for the formal peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway on June 28. Sison said Duterte and his administration have simply shown no interest in serious peace negotiations. As a result, Sison warned that communist rebels would “singlemindedly” wage the people’s war. Sison said the written agreements pertaining to the scheduled events have been signed by no less than the respective … [Read more...] about Joma Sison hits cancellation of peace talks

MANILA, Philippines — Two Senate committees will jointly hold a public hearing to determine how effective the country’s foreign policy is in the face of alarming developments in the West Philippine Sea, particularly China’s military buildup and its harassment of Filipino fishermen. No date has been set for the hearing to be led by the Senate committees on foreign relations and on national defense and security. Foreign committee chair Sen. Loren Legarda welcomed the resolutions calling for the hearings, saying the Senate, “as an independent body, should assert our role in helping shape the government’s foreign policy.” Sen. Gregorio Honasan chairs the national defense and security committee. “We will soon conduct a public hearing and I will work with my colleagues, including the committee on national defense and security, in determining how best to support current initiatives to diffuse the tension, while at the same time protecting our … [Read more...] about Senate panels to probe Duterte’s China policy

Priest slay suspect arrested Emmanuel Tupas (The Philippine Star) - June 16, 2018 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested on Thursday one of the suspects in the murder of Catholic priest Richmond Nilo in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, Central Luzon police director, said Adell Roll Milan was identified by an altar boy as the one who shot Nilo while the priest was preparing for mass inside a chapel in Zaragoza last Sunday. Milan, allegedly a drug personality and gun for hire, was arrested at around 6:30 p.m. in Barangay Malapit, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. “The suspect is also engaged in gun-for-hire activities in the province,” Corpus said at a news briefing aired over radio station dzBB. Milan was among the drug surrenderees in Nueva Ecija, Corpus added. “This development will bring us closer to the real motive behind Fr. Nilo’s death as we are still conducting follow-up … [Read more...] about Priest slay suspect arrested