Blacklist Int l, OhMyV33nus call for change amid Kelra controversy
Both Blacklist and Villaluna stressed that words are not simply words and called on the community to be better......»»
Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep
Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday, beginning the first papal visit to the vast Asian nation landlocked between China and Russia. The 86-year-old pontiff's trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for the tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400. The Argentine pontiff left Rome at 1640 GMT Thursday bound for the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, arriving Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey. He was greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire and foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. Aboard the papal plane soon after take-off, Francis described the vast, sparsely populated country of Mongolia as one that "can be understood with the senses." Asked by a journalist whether he found diplomacy difficult, the pope answered: "Yes, you don't know how difficult it is. "Sometimes you need a sense of humor." The nine-hour flight passed over Chinese airspace and the pontiff, following custom, sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping, bearing "greetings of good wishes" to him and the Chinese people. "Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace," he wrote. The voyage -- Francis' second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan -- is geopolitically strategic. It is seen as encouraging Mongolia's fragile democracy and potentially helping the Church make inroads with the country's more powerful neighbors. "This is a clear effort of the Holy See to take care of Central Asia and not abandon it to Russia or China," Michel Chambon, a scholar of Catholicism in Asia, told AFP. The visit -- Francis' 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church -- is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation. "It's a way to not give up, to remind them 'I'm here!'" Chambon said. "It's a way not to just stay in Rome and wait for things to happen but to jump in." Stamina test The trip will be a stamina test for the pope, who continues to travel widely despite undergoing a hernia operation in June and pain in his knee that has forced him to use a wheelchair. After a day of rest, the pontiff's itinerary on Saturday includes a welcome ceremony, meetings with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a first address to authorities, diplomats, and members of civil society. He will meet the Catholic community -- which includes just 25 priests and 33 nuns, only two of them Mongolian -- later Saturday in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its circular nave resembles a "ger", the Mongolian nomads' traditional tent dwelling. The Jesuit pope addresses an interreligious meeting Sunday, where the rector of Ulaanbaatar's Russian Orthodox Church is expected to be present with a delegation, and later presides over a mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena. Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, the Vatican said, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Not taking sides Once part of the empire of Genghis Khan, Mongolia is dependent on Russia for energy imports and on China for the export of its raw materials, primarily coal. But while toeing a neutral line with its powerful neighbors, it has engaged in a "third neighbor" policy, strengthening relations with other nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, for balance. That makes Mongolia potentially helpful for Vatican relations with both Beijing and Moscow. The Holy See last year renewed a deal on the thorny issue of bishop appointments with China, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. Francis may use his trip to the former Soviet satellite state, a democracy since just 1992, to hammer home democratic principles. A major coal industry corruption scandal provoked street protests in December, eroding public trust amid a weak economy, high inflation, and major gaps between rich and poor. Chambon, a fellow at Singapore's Asia Research Institute, said Francis may take a page from last year's Kazakhstan visit, during which he warned authorities they have a responsibility to govern well. "The pope is not taking sides but is really putting politicians in front of their responsibilities," Chambon said. "'Who are we serving, are we honest, are we caring for the poor and marginalized, are we taking care of the entire nation in its religious and ethnic diversity?' "He plays the games but he asks the hard questions." Francis, who plans in October to publish an update to his seminal 2015 "Laudato Si'" a global call to action for the environment, will also likely bring attention to the impact of climate change on Mongolia's ecosystems. Together with mining and overgrazing, rising temperatures and their effects are fuelling desertification across swathes of the country. Severe cold, flooding and drought have killed off herds on the vast grasslands, forcing nomads who make up one-third of the population to migrate to Ulaanbaatar, now surrounded by shantytowns inhabited by displaced herders. The post Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WB help sought amid energy shift
The Department of Energy appealed to the World Bank on Thursday to support the inclusion of the country in the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP, which will give the coal-dependent country access to a favorable financing scheme. “My challenge to the World Bank and our other development partners is that the green transition or the climate transition or securing a clean energy future must be a just and fair transition,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said in his remark during the World Bank’s Securing a Clean Energy Future forum on Thursday. “That means that transition financing or climate financing or call it by any other name, such financing should be available to the country… unfortunately, we are not part of any of the Just Energy Transition Partnerships that have already been put in place,” the Energy chief added. 60% coal in energy mix The Philippines relies heavily on coal with the highest contribution to the power generation mix at nearly 60 percent, while renewable energy contributes only over 20 percent to the energy mix. Yet, Lotilla said that the government vies to increase the share of renewable energy in the power mix to 50 percent by 2040. The JETP is a financing cooperation scheme that aims to help coal-dependent countries shift towards clean energy. It was launched in November 2021 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26. Meanwhile, World Bank senior economist Ralph Van Doorn noted that the Philippines’ transition to low and zero-carbon alternatives will help address energy demand and improve energy security to power long-term growth. “Cleaner energy future has many benefits. It is expected to lead to affordable energy. It is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the economy. The shift will reduce air pollution, an important benefit to public health,” Doorn said. Based on the present World Bank report, the Philippines is “uniquely positioned” to transition toward a renewable energy-dominated power system. It will “not only improve energy security but also enhance affordability through primarily private financing.” “The private sector, which has been driving developments and investments in the energy sector over the past decade, will need to take on more risks and hasten the pace of adoption of new technologies and innovations as the power system pivots to variable renewable energy sources.” The post WB help sought amid energy shift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOT seeks inclusion in protected areas board amid Chocolate Hills issue
Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco —INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo After the recent controversy surrounding a resort development near Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced plans to advocate for its inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated during a.....»»
Chocolate Hills furor prompts Bohol bishop’s call to preserve national treasures
MANILA, Philippines — The public has been urged by the Catholic bishop of Bohol to preserve national treasures amid an outcry over the construction and operation of a resort in the middle of the picturesque Chocolate Hills’ protected area. The need to “recognize and cherish” Bohol’s natural wonders, specifically its Chocolate Hills and beaches was.....»»
Teachers urge Congress: Fund classrooms, not Charter plebiscite
he Alliance of Concerned Teachers on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to reallocate the budget earmarked for the proposed Charter change plebiscite toward constructing more classrooms amid the learning crisis......»»
Fishers call for adequate support amid the El Niño drought
"Fishers also bear the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. During drought, fish usually swim deeper than usual to seek cooler temperatures, making fishing more difficult and costly as we have to spend extra time and fuel." The post Fishers call for adequate support amid the El Niño drought appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Spring came early: February likely warmest on record amid climate change
While data has not been finalized, three scientists say that February is on track to have the highest global average temperature ever recorded for that month, thanks to climate change and the El Nino.....»»
Advocates call for climate emergency in Mindanao
PMCJ urged the local governments in Mindanao to strengthen the capacity of localities to deal with the impacts of climate change, provide adequate shelter to displaced communities, and review current disaster prevention and response programs......»»
Lakas stalwarts sign pro-Speaker manifesto
Amid rumors of a House leadership change for allegedly using the ayuda cash subsidy to push the people’s initiative signature drive, the ruling Lakas-CMD majority bloc issued a manifesto in support of Speaker Martin Romualdez......»»
Senate hearings on economic Cha-cha to start next week
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the Senate will begin deliberating its proposal to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution next week amid heightened political tensions that seemed to have sprung from differing views on how to change the Charter......»»
Duterte says Marcos risks same fate as dictator father amid charter change push
In a fiery speech Sunday evening, Duterte accused his predecessor of being a “drug addict” and of trying to amend the Constitution to prolong his term of office. .....»»
Bulletproofed
The Senate released what they call a “manifesto” that rejected popular initiative as a method for Charter change......»»
Labor groups rally against Charter change, call for wage hike instead
MANILA, Philippines — Labor groups are joining the opposition against Charter change (Cha-cha), with one group urging lawmakers to prioritize passing a law for a P150 wage hike for private sector workers. The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) vice president Jun Mendoza Ramirez in a statement on Sunday emphasized the need to concentrate on the immediate.....»»
Settle Cha-cha mode at LEDAC
Two veteran lawmakers who figured prominently in past attempts to amend the country’s 1987 Constitution took me down memory lane amid the latest revival of Charter change (Cha-cha) moves. Specifically, they are erstwhile Senate president Franklin Drilon and former Negros Occidental congressman Margarito Teves, who both tried to help amend the Constitution in the past but their efforts ended in vain......»»
DepEd urged: Let SY 2024-2025 return to old school calendar
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) should revert School Year 2024-2025 to the old school calendar, a House legislator said Saturday. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the return to a June-March school calendar “is a huge leap forward for our students, parents, and teachers” amid worsening climate change. He also.....»»
EDITORIAL - Unscrupulous traders
Amid complaints of highland farmers about a flood of smuggled agricultural commodities during the holidays, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has formed a committee that will blacklist unscrupulous traders who violate Republic Act 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2002......»»
China to Philippines: ‘Act with caution’ amid maritime clashes
Beijing, China–China’s top diplomat Wang Yi warned his Philippine counterpart that Manila “must act with caution”, Beijing’s foreign ministry said, following a flurry of tense maritime confrontations in the disputed South China Sea. Wang said on a Wednesday call with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo the two countries were “facing serious difficulties”, blaming Manila for changing.....»»
60 percent of Pinoys live in low-lying, high-risk areas
About 60 percent of Filipinos reside in low-lying places and are highly at risk amid the threat of climate change, according to an official of the Climate Change Commission......»»
Palestinians Flee Northern Gaza Amid Israeli Offensive
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Israeli military says it killed top Hamas weapons maker U.N. says number of people fleeing northern Gaza tripled between Monday and Tuesday Israeli defense minister says his troops are in Gaza City The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the death toll from Israeli attacks has surpassed 10,500. G7 backs Israel's right to self-defense, while call.....»»
Palestinians Flee Northern Gaza Amid Israeli Offensive
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Israeli military says it killed top Hamas weapons maker U.N. says number of people fleeing northern Gaza tripled between Monday and Tuesday Israeli defense minister says his troops are in Gaza City The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the death toll from Israeli attacks has surpassed 10,500. G7 backs Israel's right to self-defense, while call.....»»