The ANC Brief Setting sun The sun sets on paradise today. ANC will continue to do updates on the situation in Boracay as the island starts its 6-month closure. We will also focus on the “people stories,” the tourists whose vacations are over and the employees whose lives are upended. ANC will inquire into whether or not an executive order from the Palace on the closure will be issued in time for the closure Otherwise, is the basis a verbal order from the President? Will the province of Aklan or municipality of Malay issue the closure order? Also, the DILG said at least 10 officials will face charges for neglecting the island. Who are they? Heat from Kuwait Kuwait has told the Philippine ambassador to leave the Middle Eastern country in one week and recalled its ambassador to the Philippines. Looks like last Tuesday’s apology for the “rescue” of OFWs by the Palace did not work and everything is not okay between the two countries. How will the DFA and … [Read more...] about News The ANC Brief: April 26, 2018
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News The ANC Brief April 25, 2018
Here are the stories ANC will be covering today: Southern guns The President will be in Buluan, Maguindanao for the launch of the Balik Baril Program at 2 p.m. ANC will air the proceedings live, including the probable speech by the Chief Executive. It looks like a program to get citizens to return loose firearms. The proliferation of firearms in Mindanao has been a peace and order problem in the South for the longest time. Will this program work to reduce violence? Defensive fire Chief Justice on leave Ma. Lourdes Sereno will attend the Forum on Upholding Judicial Independence as a Pillar of Democracy at the Ateneo Law School at 10 a.m. ANC will air her speech live. Expect her to defend herself from the quo warranto case against her and efforts to impeach her. Kuwaiti fire out? Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano has apologized for the Kuwait rescue video. Will the Kuwaiti government accept? Is it “fire out” for this diplomatic conflagration? The apology comes after … [Read more...] about News The ANC Brief April 25, 2018
News The ANC Brief April 24, 2018
Here are the stories ANC will be covering today: Talking peace Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Ma. Sison said he is willing to return to the Philippines for the resumption of peace talks with the Duterte government, but only if there is “significant advance” in the talks. Sison also said coming home “prematurely” would expose himself to an “extremely high risk of violent sabotage” by so-called “spoilers.” The President has yet to set the start of the 60-day window in which to restart the peace talks. ANC will continue to follow this story throughout the day. Can this be the end of the one of the world’s oldest communist insurgencies? Inflammatory remarks Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano defended a Philippine diplomat in Kuwait who was said to have made inflammatory remarks against the Kuwaiti government. Cayetano said the incident was just a "misunderstanding." Earlier, Kuwait … [Read more...] about News The ANC Brief April 24, 2018
News The ANC Brief April 19, 2018
The ANC Brief Here’s what you need to know today: A President and the world President Duterte launched attack on Australian nun Patricia Fox, saying he ordered the BI to investigate her for “disorderly conduct.” He also said foreigners who meddle in the country’s affairs are violating the country’s sovereignty and that foreign critics will be arrested if they enter the country secretly. He added that its he who decides who goes in and out of the country, who gets to be deported and that only “good” people should be allowed entry. Even before the President said these things, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque was quoted as saying the detention of Fox may have been a mistake. Roque will be guest on Headstart so expect a clarification on this. The President is due in Camp Crame at 2 p.m. for the retirement ceremony of outgoing PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and the turnover to incoming PNP Chief Dir. Oscar Albayalde. ANC … [Read more...] about News The ANC Brief April 19, 2018
Philippines’ top resort island Boracay may reopen in four months: Minister
The Philippines is looking to shorten the closure period for its most popular holiday hotspot Boracay to four months from six, but the number of visitors allowed when it reopens will be slashed, the tourism minister said on Wednesday. A masterplan to redevelop Boracay, which has turned into a “cesspool” due to pollution according to President Rodrigo Duterte, into a liveable and greener community will be finalised after its rehabilitation, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said. “I think we can do it (cleanup) in four months. That’s why we wanted it (to be) total closure, for us to do it fast,” she said in an interview with ANC news channel. Boracay, which will be closed to local and foreign tourists from April 26, has joined other beach resorts across Southeast Asia facing growing pressure due to a surge in visitors. The government wants to save the tiny island that generated 56 billion pesos, or over $1 billion, last year but cannot cope under the strain of … [Read more...] about Philippines’ top resort island Boracay may reopen in four months: Minister