FACT CHECK: Resort Chocolate Hills is not being demolished
On March 20, 2024, a video released by Balitang Pinoy TV claimed that the controversial resort built in the Chocolate Hills of Bohol has been demolished......»»
Samal resort gets notice of violation over hawksbill turtle hatchlings
The Department of Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) has issued a notice of violation to Isla Reta Beach Resort in Samal for the illegal possession of hawksbill turtle hatchlings. The resort violated Republic Act 9147, which prohibits the exploitation of wildlife resources and their habitats. The law strictly prohibits collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife or their by-products, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. In response to the notice, the resort's owner must release the turtle hatchlings within a day, or face legal action. Despite the resort's intention to care for and release the hatchlings after six months, DENR-Davao found 130 hatchlings inside styro boxes and emphasized the critical importance of immediately releasing them to ensure their survival. The Philippines recognizes five sea turtle species, with hawksbill and leatherback classified as critically endangered. DENR-Davao encourages individuals to report wildlife sightings and pledges to conduct public awareness campaigns for wildlife conservation. Isla Reta Beach Resort faced criticism for unauthorized plans to raise the hatchlings......»»
Some developers cut through Chocolate Hills – DENR
Some project developers cut through the Chocolate Hills in Bohol during the construction of their structures, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said, reiterating that this is prohibited under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) law......»»
DENR looking into other structures at Chocolate Hills
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will look into other establishments operating at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol amid reports that there are other such structures within the protected area......»»
‘Mother of all resolutions’ blamed for resort construction
The Tagbilaran Baywatch has discovered what it described as the “mother of all resolutions” that paved the way for the construction of a controversial resort and other illegal structures at the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol......»»
Houses of 39 families in Barangay Singcang-Airport set to be demolished
Houses of 39 families in Barangay Singcang-Airport set to be demolished.....»»
Island demolished for foot procession
Island demolished for foot procession.....»»
FACT CHECK | South Cotabato did not declare March 11 a Muslim legal holiday
MindaNews fact-checked a memorandum circulating on Facebook and in Messenger group chats that South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. has declared March 11 a holiday in the province for the observance of Lailatul Isra wal Mi’raj. The memorandum is fake, Tamayo’s office notified the public. The provincial government of South Cotabato has not declared Monday, […].....»»
‘Limit political influence in protected areas permits’
Sen. Cynthia Villar yesterday proposed easing local politicians’ influence in approving permits for protected areas, following the Senate’s investigation on the infamous Captain’s Peak Resort built right at the foot of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 25 March 2024
Senate eyes probe of resorts within the slopes of Mt. Apo Following the controversy involving the establishment of a resort reportedly within the famed Chocolate Hills in Bohol province, Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committees on Energy and Migrant Workers, is setting his sights on the resorts located on the slopes of Mt. […].....»»
Netizens share thoughts on controversial resort in Bohol’s Chocolate Hills
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Just May of last year, Bohol Island was named as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark. With the thriving agriculture and fishery industry on the island, it is no surprise that this tiny island in Central Visayas will somehow make its mark on the bigger league. Bohol has been the home.....»»
FACT CHECK | PDP Laban shows incomplete data of Publicus survey favorable to Sara Duterte
MindaNews fact-checked a Facebook post of political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) that Vice President Sara Duterte gained the highest approval rating among national government officials in the 2023 fourth quarter survey of Publicus Asia, Inc. The post is misleading as it did not indicate that while she had the […].....»»
FACT CHECK | Self-proclaimed ‘Son of God’ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy indicted in the US in 2021, not 2018
MindaNews fact-checked the claim made by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, that he and his lawyers have been waiting for the start of his trial for sex trafficking and other crimes in the United States (US), but that the courts have always postponed it since […].....»»
FACT CHECK | President Marcos says the ICC may come but the government won’t cooperate with their investigation
MindaNews fact-checked the claim made by the YouTube channel KABAYAN NEWS PH that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared he won’t allow the International Criminal Court to enter the country and investigate alleged extrajudicial killings committed under the “war on drugs” of the Duterte administration. The claim is false, as Marcos said the ICC may come but the government or any of its agencies would not cooperate in their […].....»»
FACT CHECK | Roque’s claim that Task Force Davao will be disbanded is false
MindaNews fact-checked the claims of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that Task Force (TF) Davao will be disbanded as Dabawenyos expressed concern that the city’s security will be weakened if such will happen. His claim is false, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The AFP has refuted the claims of former presidential […].....»»
Media should check construction in protected areas
THE BUILDING of a resort in the midst of the fabled Chocolate Hills of Bohol was first revealed by a social media post to advertise the place, oblivious to the serious concerns it raised. Netizens quickly reacted and triggered widespread criticism that urged the Senate to hold an investigation.Captain's Peak Resort stands amid the expanse of hills stretching into the horizon, a seemingly endless field of mounds,.....»»
Prosperous Beginnings, NUSTAR Resort Welcomes the Year of the Wood Dragon
NUSTAR Resort Cebu welcomed the year of the Wood Dragon with cheers and held a Prosperity Parade around the resort that concluded with the symbolic Prosperity Toss with NUSTAR executives at The Atrium. The Prosperity Parade commenced at the lobby attended by NUSTAR Executives Alan Teo, Chief Operating Officer of Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc.,.....»»
Villar backs calls to demolish Chocolate Hills resort
The Captain’s Peak Resort at Chocolate Hills in Bohol should be demolished, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar......»»
45 PUPCs of Opao police station undergo medical check-up
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Around 45 persons under police custody (PUPCs) of Opao Police Station in Mandaue City underwent a medical check-up on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The City Health Office (MCHO) led the medical check-up to determine the physical health of the PUPCs. They were also provided with medicines and vitamins. MCHO Kadagatan Cluster Head.....»»
FACT CHECK: K-12 is not being replaced with K-10 program
Pinas News Insider claimed in a video in 2023 that the Marcos administration has discontinued the K-12 program and replaced it with its K-10 program......»»
FACT CHECK | VP Sara Duterte did not return her 2022 confidential fund
Vice President Sara Duterte has not returned her confidential fund to government treasury, contrary to a video posted on YouTube. Reports that Duterte spent in just 11 days in December 2022 a confidential fund amounting to P125 million from the contingency fund of the Office of the President drew widespread criticisms and demands for an […].....»»