Archived News Headlines from December 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016
(Please note: some articles may have been removed by their respective publications)

12/25/2016

Residents of Barangay Matnog, Daraga, Albay are helped onto trucks as the government mounted preemptive evacuation hours ahead of the expected landfall of typhoon Nina, which PAGASA said posed a serious threat to the Bicol region.

Lopez formally creates task force to protect indigenous peoples (IPs)
QUEZON CITY, Dec. 26 - Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has issued a special order formally creating an inter-agency task force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to help ensure economic, environmental and social justice among indigenous peoples (IPs) in the country.

UN calls for investigation into Duterte's murder admission
UN rights chief calls for murder investigation after Philippine President admits to killing three people. Stressing that the killing of “about three” people, which the President of the Philippines admitted to personally committing, while serving as the Mayor of the city of Davao ...

NDRRMC on red alert over typhoon 'Nina' as it makes a landfall in Catanduanes
MANILA, Dec. 26 -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has raised its status to "red alert" as Typhoon "Nina" intensifies further threatening the Bicol Region Sunday.

Outstanding young Fil-Ams honored at annual Dr. Jose Rizal Youth awards in Washington, DC
MANILA, Dec. 26 - Young Filipino-American student awardees and their families gathered at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on December 20 for the awarding ceremony of the 24th Annual Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards.

16 hurt in Christmas eve blast at Catholic church in southern Philippines
MANILA - Sixteen people were wounded in a grenade explosion outside a Catholic church during a Christmas eve mass in Midsayap town in North Cotabato late Saturday evening, a priest and police said on Saturday.

Novaliches folk laud DENR chief’s rejection of housing project at La Mesa watershed
MANILA, Dec 25 (PNA) -- Residents of the divided former town of Novaliches have lauded the decision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez to cancel the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of the Century Properties Group Inc.

Duterte visits N. Cotabato blast victims, assures justice will be served
MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato, Dec. 25 (PNA) -- Showing his compassion to victims of violence, President Duterte personally showed up here to sympathize with victims of the Christmas Eve grenade attack that injured at least 17, including a police officer.

Typhoon Nina makes landfall in Bicol region, storm signals up in NCR, Mimaropa, CL
MANILA - (UPDATE 4, 11:40 P.M) Typhoon Nina made a second landfall in Sugay, Camarines Sur late Sunday evening, and the state weather bureau repeated warnings of the risks of floods and landslides as well as storm surge of 2.5 meters in coastal areas, as it continued to lash a huge part of Luzon.

Department of Health reports 24 firecracker injuries as of Christmas Day
MANILA, Dec 25 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) said 14 of the reported 24 fireworks-related injuries took placed in National Capital Region -- based on the reports obtained as of 6 a.m. of December 25 from sentinel hospitals.

12/23/2016

MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at the country's central bank on Thursday, telling its governor "I will give you a whack" and threatening criminal charges against the country's anti-money laundering body for supporting graft.

DSWD tells public to prepare for severe tropical storm ‘Nina’; calls for preparations in communities
QUEZON CITY, Dec. 24 - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen coordination with its field offices (FOs) and other disaster-mitigation agencies now that severe tropical storm ‘Nock-ten’ has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Duterte administration taps China-backed AIIB to fix infrastructure
MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has tapped a China-backed multilateral lender to help fund his government's "unprecedented infrastructure buildup", Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said Monday, as he seeks closer relations with Beijing.

NAIA Expressway Christmas Lane opens
MANILA, Dec. 24 - Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade announced the opening of the NAIA Expressway Christmas Lane on December 21.

Technology, innovation and guts: ingredients to business success
TAGUIG CITY, Dec. 24 - Fast food has become so common place that we see one popping up on almost every corner. But as soon as some of them open, they close just as fast. But being 32 years in the business, the queen of Goto King has some advise ...

Duterte orders closure of all online gaming firms
MANILA, Philippines -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the closure of all online gaming firms saying the country has no mechanism to regulate online gambling.

Sueno to jail bureau: Intensify jail inspections during the holidays
PASIG CITY, Dec. 24 - Now that people are busy preparing for the Christmas holidays, it seems that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology(BJMP)will have to work double time to ensure that inmates will not take advantage of the holidays to make an escape.

Department of Agriculture programs to boost agriculture, make food affordable
MANILA, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- The Duterte administration is working aggressively to boost the agriculture and fisheries sector, crucial to make food available and affordable in the country.

Drugs, gambling heaped on Leila de Lima
SENATOR Leila de Lima did not only condone the illegal drug trade, she may have also protected and benefitted from illegal gambling, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said Friday.

Manila embarks on major clean-up to restore its glory days
MANILA, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- Manila this year began a massive clean-up drive in multiple fronts in the hope of restoring its old-world charm. Shortly after winning his second term as mayor of Manila in May ...

12/18/2016

MANILA - A climate of fear perturbs many Filipinos nowadays, concerned that they, or people they know, may become victims of extra-judicial killings (EJK) in the midst of the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs, a survey from Social Weather Stations (SWS) said.

Pres. Duterte wishes for peace this Christmas
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec.19 - President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, expressed hopes that gunbattles will take a back seat this Christmas season. Asked by reporters here for his Christmas message, President Duterte said he is hoping for a peaceful Christmas ...

VP Leni Robredo: PNP slowly losing public trust to extra-judicial killings
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is slowing losing public trust due to alarming incidents of unresolved “deaths under investigations” (DUIs) due to the usual excuse of “nanlaban [fought it out],” perceived to be extrajudicial killings, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday.

Duterte TRAIN Xpress to boost GDP growth to 9%, achieve single-digit poverty
LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has filed House Bill 4688, titled Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN, a centerpiece program that will “ultimately reduce poverty to single digit, grow the economy by 9% ...

Marikina-made shoes a hit in Indonesia
MAKATI CITY, Dec. 19 - Filipino fashion retail brand Rusty Lopez recently opened its newest store in Jakarta on featuring comfortable sandals and casuals made from Marikina, the Philippines’ shoe capital known for producing durable and high-quality footwear.

SOUTH CHINA SEA SQUABBLE | Del Rosario bats for stronger posture based on international law
MANILA - The former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday sternly reacted to pronouncements by current DFA Sec. Perfecto Yasay over the Philippines' disposition in the South China Sea spat with China.

No sacred cows in Duterte's fight vs corruption: Palace official
MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- A Malacañan official on Sunday assured that no one will be spared in the current administration's fight against corruption.

Customs seizes Php 700-M smuggled fuel
MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA)- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) scored its first big break against oil smuggling in only six months on the Duterte watch with the seizure of two oil vessels carrying a combined 45,000 metric tons (MT) of smuggled fuel worth Php 700 million ...

File protest vs US and China for intrusion in EEZ - Roque
MANILA, Philippines -- A party-list lawmaker and international law expert is urging government to file protests against both China and the United States for the recent incident involving the seizure of an underwater drone just 50 nautical miles off Subic Bay ...

Pinoy Teleserye gaining renewed popularity in Indonesia
MAKATI, Dec. 19 - Two Filipino teleseryes or sinetron as it is more populary known in Indonesia have captured the hearts of Indonesian viewers anew with the release of Pangako Sa ‘Yo (Janjiku) and On the Wings of Love.

12/15/2016

China installs weapons systems on artificial islands - think tank
WASHINGTON - (UPDATE, 5:50 P.M) China appears to have installed weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a US think tank reported on Wednesday, citing new satellite imagery.

Philippine economy strong enough to ride out US Fed hike, says Dominguez
MANILA, Dec. 16 - Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III voiced out optimism that the country’s rock solid macroeconomic fundamentals along with the Duterte administration’s infrastructure buildup strategy will create enough fiscal and monetary buffers ...

US ready to confront Beijing on South China Sea: admiral
SYDNEY - The United States is ready to confront China should it continue its overreaching maritime claims in the South China Sea, the head of the US Pacific fleet said on Wednesday, comments that threaten to escalate tensions between the two global rivals.

Senate passes resolution on Php 1,000-SSS pension hike
MANILA, Dec 15 (PNA) -- The Senate has passed a resolution for an immediate increase of Php 1,000 in the monthly pension of all pensioners under the Social Security System (SSS) before it adjourned for the Christmas break.

Congressman Baguilat adds voice to growing movement to oppose death penalty law
Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has urged the public to add their voice to the growing chorus calling for a stop to hasty moves in Congress to reimpose the death penalty.

Cambodian netizens slam ‘rude’ Duterte in meet with king
MANILA, Philippines -- Incensed Cambodians took to social media to call out President Rodrigo Duterte for what they called his “rude” behavior and attire during his meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal palace in Pnom Penh Wednesday, a media outfit there reported.

Tourism Department defends Miss Universe ancillary event involving whale sharks
MANILA, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday stood up to criticisms it earned for allowing Miss Universe candidates to swim with butanding (whale shark) off the coast in Oslob, Cebu as one of the ancillary events of the pageant.

Andanar: President Duterte is in tip-top shape
MANILA, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed confidence anew in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's leadership in an interview with the CNBC show Asia Street Signs with Martin Soong & Oriel Morrison Thursday in Singapore.

Sandiganbayan nixes criminals raps vs Valenzuela mayor in Kentex fire case
MANILA, Philippines -- The Sandiganbayan has dismissed the criminal charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian over the May 2015 Kentex factory fire that killed 74 factory workers.

Opus Dei Prelate Bishop Javier Echevarria passes away
At 9:20 p.m., Rome time, on Dec. 12, the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Javier Echevarria, the prelate of Opus Dei, passed away. He was 84. He was the second successor of St. Josemaria Escriva, Opus Dei’s founder.

12/12/2016

Catholic church in Manila issues prayer against expanded death penalty
MANILA - Roman Catholic churches in Manila on Sunday read a prayer against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's plans to re-impose the death penalty on heinous crimes, including drug-related offenses.

'Duty free king,' Cavite town mayor face syndicated estafa over SkyJet row
MANILA, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- An airline entrepreneur has filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ) a syndicated estafa complaint against "duty free king" and Solar Entertainment Corp. vice chair William Tieng, Mayor Dhino Carlo Chua of Noveleta town in Cavite ...

Immigration chief gives 2 officials tied to alleged Lam extortion case 24 hours to explain
MANILA - Two deputy commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration tagged in an alleged payoff by Chinese gaming tycoon Jack Lam personally reported to the Department of Justice Monday to file their leave of absence.

Sen. Lacson eyes creation of task group to probe vigilante-style killings
MANILA, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday suggested the creation of a group to address vigilante-style killings linked to the anti-illegal drug operations under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Duterte slated for Cambodia, Singapore swing
MANILA, Dec. 12 - President Rodrigo Duterte is set to undertake state visits to Cambodia and Singapore next week. This was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose in a predeparture briefing in Malacanan.

Senator Leila de Lima faces ouster over ethics complaint
HOUSE leaders on Monday filed an ethics complaint against Senator Leila de Lima before the Senate committee on ethics for disobeying a summons when she advised her former lover and driver to go into hiding to avoid testifying before a congressional inquiry into illegal drugs.

Senator Binay seeks probe into delayed text messages
MANILA, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- Senator Nancy Binay on Monday urged the Senate to probe the recently reported delay in the delivery of text messages between Smart and Globe mobile subscribers.

Philippine government panel reiterates commitment on amnesty, release of detained communist rebels
QUEZON CITY, Dec. 12 —The government (GRP) panel negotiating with the National Democratic Front (NDF) upheld its commitment in facilitating the issuance of an amnesty proclamation and the release of detained communist rebels on Wednesday, December 7 ...

Miss Universe contestants share 'fun' in whirlwind PH tour during visit to TV5 studios
MANILA - Ten of the hopefuls for the title of Miss Universe 2016 visited News5 studios Monday night and shared some of their experiences in their whirlwind "sneak" preview of the host country Philippines.

Baguilat throws full support behind Vice President Leni Robredo
Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has thrown his full support for Vice President Leni Robredo, who quit as Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) after the President ordered her to stop attending Cabinet meetings effective Dec. 5.  

12/06/2016

NBI concludes, Lacson agrees: Espinosa killing a 'rubout'
MANILA - (UPDATE, 11:15 P.M) Philippine police murdered town mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. while he was helpless in a jail cell, Justice department investigators said Tuesday, contradicting claims by the accused - which President Rodrigo Duterte backed - that he was killed in a gunbattle.

New US envoy sees expansion of US-Philippine ties
MANILA, Dec. 7 - Newly designated United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said he expects an expansion of bilateral relations between the US and the Philippines as he assumes his post.

Gordon report a ‘cover-up’ of EJKs under Duterte - Trillanes
MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV blasted the report of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, which recommended that he and Senator Leila de Lima be sanctioned for unparliamentary behavior, a cover-up of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration.

House panel OKs death penalty bill
MANILA, Dec. 7 (PNA) -- The House of Representatives justice committee on Wednesday approved for plenary deliberation a report containing the substitute bill on the restoration of the death penalty for heinous crimes.

Pres. Duterte names Año as AFP chief
MANILA, Dec. 7 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Año as the new chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday.

Duterte warns opposition ‘Wait for your time’
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday warned that he would soon get even with his critics as Vice President Leni Robredo vowed to lead the political opposition against the rise of extrajudicial killings in his bloody war on illegal drugs.

DOH appeals for injury-free holidays with community fireworks display
MANILA, Dec. 7 - Children and parents are continuously reminded to have a safe and prosperous New Year and to avoid injuries due to exploding fireworks like piccolo as Filipinos gear up for the Holiday celebrations in less than a month.

Some Miss Universe candidates to arrive in the Philippines on Friday for kickoff party
MANILA, Dec 7 (PNA) -- About 11 candidates of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant will be arriving in Manila on Friday (Dec 9) to lead a kickoff party a month before the country hosts its coronation night on January 30, 2017.

X-ray technician presented as 3rd suspect in US embassy bomb scare
MANILA, Philippines -- An X-ray technician was presented by police Wednesday as the third suspect who left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila last week. National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde said closed circuit television footage ...

Commission on Appointments confirms 4 Cabinet members, 4 envoys
MANILA, Dec. 7 (PNA) -- The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Wednesday the ad interim appointments of four Cabinet members of President Rodrigo Duterte and four ambassadors.

12/04/2016

Vice President Leni Robredo quits Cabinet
MANILA - (UPDATED W/ PALACE STATEMENT) Vice President Leni Robredo has announced her resignation as member of the Cabinet after being told to desist from attending official meetings. Robredo currently heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Slain Mayor Espinosa laid to rest
ALBUERA, Leyte, Dec. 4 (PNA) -- Slain Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was laid to rest Sunday afternoon a month after he was killed in a raid at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail. Thousands of family members, relatives and supporters gathered on Sunday morning ...

Lacson: It's going to be a Kerwin-Dayan face-off at Senate drugs hearing
MANILA - Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson expects the high profile personalities, Ronnie Dayan and Kerwin Espinosa, to appear at the Senate inquiry in aid of legislation Monday, which was called to shed light on the illegal drug trade that had been spun off by narco dealing activities at National Bilibid Prison.

Palace wishes VP Robredo to continue unhampered service to nation
MANILA, Dec. 4 (PNA) – Malacanang on Sunday wished Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo to continue her unhampered service to the nation despite her decision to tender resignation as member of the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte.

President grants pardon to 4 convicted rebels
PASIG CITY, Dec. 4 - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an order granting presidential pardon to four communist rebels convicted for murder and kidnapping, the chief of the government peace panel said Friday.

Sans arrest warrant, PNP launches manhunt but bizman Jack Lam has left the Philippines
MANILA - (UPDATE, 7:48 P.M) Chinese casino and online gambling tycoon Jack Lam (real name: Lam Yin Yok) had already left the country even before President Rodrigo Duterte ordered his arrest for alleged attempted bribery and economic sabotage, the Bureau of Immigration said Sunday.

Palace sees big possibility that Philippines, US will reboot relations under Trump presidency
MANILA, Dec. 4 (PNA) -- Malacanang is expecting the relationship between the Philippines and the United States will have a reboot following a positive phone conversation between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President-elect Donald Trump last Friday.

Germany needs more nurses
NEGROS OCC., Dec. 3 (PIA6)-- The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is now accepting applications for the three hundred (300) job openings for nurses in different hospitals in Germany which will be sourced in three key places nationwide ...

President Duterte’s double standard
WHAT are we to make of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to reinstate a police superintendent accused of profiting from the illegal drug trade, and who led a raid that looked more like a rubout than a legitimate law enforcement operation?

PNP launches nationwide manhunt vs. Jack Lam
MANILA, Dec. 4 (PNA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa has ordered a nationwide manhunt against businessman Jack Lam who was ordered arrested by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte due to allegations of bribery and economic sabotage.

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