Lawyers’ group opposes death penalty, ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy Rappler.com, May 21, 2016 MANILA, Philippines – The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) expressed its alarm over the plans of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to restore the death penalty and give security forces “shoot-to-kill” orders against organized criminals or those who violently resist arrest. In a May 20 statement…
Mary Jane told of execution date: Tuesday, April 28 Jet Damazo-Santos, RAPPLER April 25, 2015 (UPDATED) Mary Jane is told Saturday afternoon about her execution date, Tuesday, April 28, in the presence of Philippine embassy officials, just hours after a reunion with her family. Unless the last-minute legal efforts to save her work, or by…
Gay men holding hands on train bullied online Raisa Serafica, RAPPLER April 18, 2015 Offensive comments like ‘Ano ba kayo, pet `yan’ and ‘Baka dadalhin sa prisinto si bakla’ flood the post MANILA, Philippines – “Love in a different view.” This is how a netizen described the photos of a gay Asian-Caucasian couple holding hands…
Plunder, graft raps filed vs. BJMP top officials over alleged double budgeting. While most jail staff and personnel operate in an honest way, some top officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officers are facing plunder and graft charges due to alleged corrupt practices. Jail Inspector Angelina Lumba Bautista of the BJMP said…
Witness: Palparan was behind torture, abuse of missing UP students . The prosecution’s first witness in the kidnapping case of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. on Monday claimed that the former Army official was behind the torture and rape of two missing female UP students, a report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” said. During the…
PH youth urge Pope Francis: ‘Hear our true story’ In an open letter to the Catholic leader, a nationwide coalition of youth groups details the challenges faced by Filipino youth, from the peace process and disasters, to corruption in government MANILA, Philippines – A day before the arrival of Pope Francis in Manila, a nationwide…
‘DND misused relief fund’. COA: Huge part spent for AFP oil, repairs, etc. Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer January 3, 2015 MANILA, Philippines–A “huge portion” of the P352.5 million in emergency funding of the Department of National Defense in 2013 had been misused by the military, which spent money meant to help victims of natural…
PCGG eyes full accounting of P168-B recovered Marcos ill-gotten wealth. The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) wants to have a full accounting of the P168-billion ill-gotten wealth recovered from the Marcoses to determine how the money were used. “Since the PCGG’s creation in 1986, umaabot na sa P168 billion ang naire-remit namin sa Bureau…
Labor group slams LRT, MRT fare hike By Sheila Crisostomo, The Philippine Star January 3, 2015 MANILA, Philippines – The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed the impending hike in the fares of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT), pointing out the government subsidy for the travel budget of public officials…
Aquino, Abaya lying about fare hikes By Christine F. Herrera, Vito Barcelo, Manila Standard Today December 30, 2014 THE youth group Anakbayan on Monday called President Benigno Aquino III and Transport Secretary Emilio Abaya “barefaced liars” after Abaya said the extra revenue from the planned fare increases in the MRT and LRT train systems will…
Aquino vows to step up fight against corruption. Philippine Daily Inquirer April 21, 2014 President Aquino on Sunday vowed to step up his campaign against corruption in government for the remainder of his term. In his Easter message, the President said the public should expect his administration to “further strengthen our institutions” during the last…
Best Easter gift freedom for all kidnap victims – gov’t peace panel chair By Mindanews April 20 2014 MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/20 April) – The best Easter gift would be to see all kidnap victims in the South who were believed seized by Abu Sayyaf bandits released, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, government peace panel chair in talks with…
Be good stewards of health, CBCP urges Pinoys in Easter message . April 20, 2014, GMAnews With the Christian world celebrating the triumph of Christ over death, Philippine Catholic bishops on Sunday urged Filipinos to be good stewards of health. In its Easter pastoral instruction, the CBCP said taking care of this body is not…
Rising number of trafficked fishermen alarms Tawi-Tawi authorities By: Jake Soriano, VERA Files, InterAksyon.com April 20, 2014 BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi—Tawi-Tawi authorities are alarmed at the growing number of fishermen from the Visayas who end up here after being recruited by human trafficking syndicates to engage in dangerous compressor diving. The latest case involves 13 fishermen rescued…
Santiago sees Palace hand in Gigi’s return. By TJ A. Burgonio, Philippine Daily Inquirer April 21, 2014 It’s not farfetched that the Aquino administration has convinced Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes to testify against Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile over the alleged P10-billion pork scam in exchange for her acquittal, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said Sunday. Santiago said…
BTC signs draft Bangsamoro Basic Law: 11 yes, 2 with reservations, 2 absent By Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, MIndaNews.com April 21 2014 COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/ 20 April) – The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was finally completed by the 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission at the end of a four-hour plenary session on Sunday afternoon with 13…
Punishment for discrimination vs race, belief, gender pushed in Senate. By Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net April 18, 2014 MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to prohibit and penalize discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, civil status, HIV status and other medical condition, among others, has been filed at…
International forum calls: Spare civilians from military ops in Talaingod | Sun.Star. April 16, 2014 PEACE ADVOCATES urged the administration of President Benigno Aquino III to interfere in armed conflicts and address the issues that affect innocent civilians, to attain the just and lasting peace over the land. Evacuees of the Ata-Manobo tribe who have…
Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law not yet done but submission set for Monday By Carolyn O. Arguillas, MindaNews.com April 13 2014 DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 April) — The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) has yet to meet in plenary on Sunday to deliberate on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but has set Monday for submission of the…
41,000 informal settlers in Cebu City wait for land | Sun.Star. By Razel V. Cuizon, http://www.sunstar.com.ph April 12, 2014 CEBU CITY — Years after the City Government started distributing lots to homeless constituents under its socialized housing program, at least 41,000 informal settlers are still awaiting relocation. Some of the beneficiaries who have settled in…
