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A royal first: Australia celebrates Mary’s historic rise as queen consort in Denmark
A royal first: Australia celebrates Mary’s historic rise as queen consort in Denmark.....»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Philippines bans live poultry from Belgium, France
MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has indefinitely banned the importation of poultry and other poultry products from Belgium and France due to the outbreak of bird flu in the two European countries, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Tuesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the ban will immediately stop domesticated and wild birds from Belgium and France from ente.....»»
Philippine landslide death toll almost doubles to 27: official
The death toll from a landslide that hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines nearly doubled to 27 on Friday, officials said, as rescuers retrieved more bodies from the mud. The number of people missing from Tuesday's landslide in Masara in the mountainous province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island fell to 89 from more than 100, while the number of injured rose to 32, the latest figures from.....»»
Philippine landslide death toll almost doubles to 27: official
The death toll from a landslide that hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines nearly doubled to 27 on Friday, officials said, as rescuers retrieved more bodies from the mud. The number of people missing from Tuesday's landslide in Masara in the mountainous province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island fell to 89 from more than 100, while the number of injured rose to 32, the latest figures from.....»»
Over $1 billion investment to Philippines from US, says Raimondo
MANILA, The Philippines: During an official visit to Manila, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said that U.S. companies have announced investments totaling more than US$1 billion in the Philippines.In a first of its kind for the Philippines, Raimondo headed a two-day trade and investment mission that included executives from 22 companies, such as United Airlines, Alphabet's Google, Visa, KKR Asia Pacific.....»»
Rare beetle discovered in Mt. Hamiguitan sanctuary
In a recent discovery, a rare long-horned beetle, Paraskeletodes hamiguitanensis, was found in the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) in Davao Oriental. The beetle was unearthed during a scientific expedition led by the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and conducted by a team from Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU). Dr. Milton Medina, a Filipino coleopterist, confirmed the uniqueness of P. hamiguitanensis through careful morphological examination, highlighting distinct differences from its closely related counterpart found in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The discovery sheds light on the limited knowledge of beetle taxonomy in the Philippines and underscores the need for increased scientific and conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Philippines and Sulawesi. Concerns were raised about the global trade of beetle species and the rapid loss of forest cover in the Philippines, emphasizing the vital role of protected areas like Mt. Hamiguitan as essential sanctuaries for biodiversity. The researchers emphasized the need for cooperation with DENR-Davao in promoting biodiversity conservation and encouraged young scholars to explore beetle taxonomy. The discovery of P. hamiguitanensis and several other beetle species in the area underscores the rich biodiversity of Mt. Hamiguitan, with ongoing research aiming to describe more species and uncover many undiscovered ones in the region......»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
BSP logs 40K complaints relating to financial consumer protection; only 5% come from Mindanao
SINCE the effectivity of the Financial Consumer Protection Act (Republic Act 11765) in June 2022, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has logged more than 40,000 complaints from customers of different BSP-supervised financial institutions from all over the Philippines. Of this number, only around 5 percent come from Mindanao, implying the Mindanaoans' unawareness of the law......»»
Philippines: More than one million children in Muslim Mindanao need protection from highly infectious measles spread
COTABATO/MANILA, 28 March 2024 - A major immunization drive in early April will reach over 1.3 million children in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the alarming surge in measles cases with 77 per cent of the confirmed cases in the Philippines being reported from this region.From the 1st until 12th April, health workers will provide lifesaving vaccines to prot.....»»
Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan due to bird flu outbreak
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of bird flu there, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Thursday. The department said Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed the order on Wednesday to immediately suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearanc.....»»
Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan due to bird flu outbreak
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of bird flu there, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Thursday. The department said Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed the order on Wednesday to immediately suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearanc.....»»
Philippines, EU resume free trade agreement talks
MANILA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the European Union (EU) resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Tuesday. "Strengthening economic engagement with the EU remains a priority for the Philippines," said Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, adding that the Philippines aims for an ambitious, b.....»»
Globe reports steep 73.7% decline in blocked bank-related spam, scam SMS in 2023
The telecommunications company Globe has reported a significant 73.7% decrease in the number of blocked spam and scam SMS related to banks in 2023. This reduction is a result of the interception of 21.9 million bank-related fraudulent messages, a sharp decline from the 83.39 million messages blocked the previous year. Globe attributes this achievement to its proactive strategies and strong partnerships with major banks and financial institutions in the Philippines. The company has established anti-fraud alliances with the Bankers Association of the Philippines and individual players in the finance sector, enabling the sharing of data and intelligence to prevent and investigate fraud effectively. Anton Bonifacio, Chief Information Security Officer at Globe, emphasized the company's commitment to combating financial fraud and enhancing security measures for customer protection. Globe has invested approximately US$20 million to improve its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking system and operates a 24/7 Security Operations Center to filter out unwanted messages from both international and domestic sources. Despite certain limitations, Globe remains dedicated to customer protection and emphasizes the need for a unified approach in the fight against fraud. The company is focused on leveraging technology and strengthening alliances with key stakeholders to combat fraudulent activities. As Globe continues to advance its technologies and collaborations, it aims to provide a safer and more secure digital environment for its customers. For more information about Globe and its initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph. (SPONSORED CONTENT).....»»
Philippines bans poultry products from 2 U.S. states
MANILA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has banned the imports of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat and eggs, from the U.S. states of California and Ohio, the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the move was due to the outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the two areas. "The rapid spre.....»»
Philippines bans poultry products from 2 U.S. states
MANILA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has banned the imports of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat and eggs, from the U.S. states of California and Ohio, the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the move was due to the outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the two areas. "The rapid spre.....»»
Philippine women group condemns joint Philippine, U.S. military drills
MANILA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A progressive women's group in the Philippines, GABRIELA, on Sunday strongly condemned the annual joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States scheduled next month. GABRIELA Secretary-General Clarice Palce demanded the expulsion of all U.S. troops from the Philippines and the immediate termination of military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement a.....»»
China urges Philippines not to play with fire on Taiwan question
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the Philippines not to "play with fire" on the Taiwan question. According to reports, the Philippines' defense chief has ordered the military to boost the number of troops and structures on the Batanes islands which are less than 200 km from China's Taiwan region. In response at a daily press briefing, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Minis.....»»
China urges Philippines not to play with fire on Taiwan question
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the Philippines not to "play with fire" on the Taiwan question. According to reports, the Philippines' defense chief has ordered the military to boost the number of troops and structures on the Batanes islands which are less than 200 km from China's Taiwan region. In response at a daily press briefing, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Minis.....»»