Kokoy ‘naglaway’ kay Alexander
Dumadami na talaga ang fans ng mga boys' love (BL) series sa Pilipinas at sunod-sunod din ang paglalabas ng iba-ibang kumpanya ng mga sarili nilang serye. Ang latest namang aabangan nila ay mula sa ABS-CBN na pinamagatang “Oh, Mando” na naglabas na ng teaser kamakailan. The post Kokoy ‘naglaway’ kay Alexander first appeared on Abante......»»
‘Mapapamura ka sa galing ni Kokoy de Santos sa Your Mother’s Son!’
MAPAPAMURA ka talaga sa galing ng aktor na si Kokoy de Santos sa pelikulang “Your Mother’s Son” mula sa direksyon ni Jun Robles Lana. Mapapanood ito sa Abril 12 hanggang Abril 14 bilang opening film sa ENLIGHTEN: The IdeaFirst Film Festival na gaganapin sa Gateway Cinemas mula sa panulat nina Direk Jun at Elmer Gatchalian......»»
98-year-old Manila Symphony Orchestra performs Coldplay, Rivermaya hits
One of Asia's oldest orchestras operating as a full orchestra since 1926, The Manila Symphony Orchestra showed why it has lasted almost a century since it was founded by Alexander Lippay. .....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 24 February 2024
Violence against women, girls a pressing issue in Caraga CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 24 February) – Violence against women and girls remains a pressing issue in the Caraga region, an official said. Alexander Makinano, Regional Gender and Development Committee chair of the Commission on Population and Development said this can be blamed on gender […].....»»
US DOJ pays courtesy call on SC justices
Representatives of the US Department of Justice paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez to discuss partnership opportunities......»»
DPWH tallies 268 gov’t and school buildings partially destroyed in Hinatuan quake
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region reported that a total of 268 school and national government buildings were partially destroyed by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on December 2. The estimated damage amounted to P108,497,894.84 for school buildings and P1,899,365.60 for national government buildings. The damages included cracks on walls and falling debris such as ceilings. According to Engr. Alexander Turingan of DPWH XI, there were no reported damages in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur. Franz Irag, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI operations head, emphasized the importance of addressing damages to school buildings, which also serve as evacuation centers during calamities. Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH XI, highlighted the agency's focus on national roads and bridges, clarifying that they will respond to requests to inspect private and government buildings. Architect Kashagar Toghyani, officer-in-charge of the Office City Building Official (OCBO) of Davao City, urged private building owners to promptly engage professional engineers to assess structural integrity, especially for buildings housing more than 10 individuals. He emphasized the necessity of fire inspections and transparency with building occupants to ensure their safety. The recent earthquakes did not affect government buildings in the Davao Region, and DPWH is committed to conducting thorough assessments and ensuring the safety of buildings and their occupants in the aftermath of the quake......»»
SC justices, UN rapporteur discuss anti-terrorism law
The country’s Anti-Terrorism Act was among the topics discussed during the meeting of Supreme Court justices, led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, with United Nations Special Rapporteur for freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan......»»
Russia s oil supplies to EU drop 90% - official
Exports to the bloc have plummeted following Western sanctions, Deputy Prime Minister Novak says Russian oil sales to the EU have shrunk to a tenth of their former level due to Western sanctions, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced on Wednesday. As of the end of 2023, the share of crude del.....»»
WATCH: Lord of the Rings movie set in New Zealand
The Hobbiton Movie Set is situated on the family-run Alexander Farm by Matamata in New Zealand's north island, where set pieces from the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies remain to this day for fans and tourists to visit......»»
Criminals and politicians
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo revealed plans to initiate a national summit of the Judiciary and the Executive Branches of the government to try solving the congestion problem in many local jails all around the country......»»
SC justices join CACJ meet
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines led a delegation from the Philippine Judiciary who took part in the Council of ASeAN Chief Justices Retreat Meeting 2023 and the 14th ASEAN Law Association General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With Gesmundo were Supreme Court Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Antonio T. Kho Jr. and Maria Filomena D. Singh. The CACJ traces its origins to the inaugural ASEAN Chief Justices Meeting held on 23 August 2013 where it provided a regular forum for the Chief Justices to discuss and exchange views on common issues facing the ASEAN Judiciaries. It also serves as a platform to promote close relations and build mutual understanding among the ASEAN Judiciaries. In addition, the CACJ facilitates judicial cooperation and collaboration to enhance economic growth and development of the ASEAN region. The ALA General Assembly, on the other hand, involves representatives from all 10 ASEAN countries — the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Held once every three years, the general assembly aims to promote regional cooperation among lawyers’ organizations, law faculties, legal research centers, and similar institutions within the ASEAN region. The CACJ Retreat Meeting 2023 and the 14th ALA General Assembly were held from 18 to 21 October 2023. At the Convening of the ALA 14th General Assembly on 19 October 2023, retired chief Justice and ALA Philippines President Artemio V. Panganiban announced that Gesmundo will be the incoming President of ALA Philippines in 2024 and conveyed that the Philippines is willing to host the 45th ALA Governing Council Meeting next year. During the CACJ Retreat Discussion on 20 October 2023, it was agreed among the ASEAN Chief Justices that the Philippines shall host the 11th CACJ Meeting in 2024. The post SC justices join CACJ meet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belarusian exiles lose hope
When police in Belarus began knocking on doors and interrogating citizens suspected to have taken part in pro-democracy rallies three years ago, Maxim Isayev knew he could never go back. Like thousands of others, the 32-year-old engineer and father of two peacefully protested against the disputed re-election of strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 and is currently wanted by the country’s authorities. “I know that they came to my address in Belarus and searched for me,” Maxim told AFP in Warsaw, where he now lives with his wife and children. More than 100,000 people are thought to have left Belarus since security forces began violently cracking down on dissidents, many of whom fled to neighboring Poland and the Baltic states. Lukashenko now wants to shut them out for good. In January, he signed a law allowing courts to strip “extremist” dissidents living abroad of their citizenship, and in September he blocked Belarusian embassies from issuing passports. The decision effectively deprives thousands of Belarusian dissidents of the ability to renew their passports unless they return, making it difficult for them to travel internationally, access public services, open bank accounts or obtain employment. “If people are forced to return to Belarus, many of them will be exposed to rights violations, like arbitrary arrest, and torture,” UN rights expert Anais Marin told AFP after the decision. Describing Lukashenko’s decree as “outrageous,” she called on all governments to refrain from sending Belarusians back to their country over invalidated or expired passports. For Maxim, who fears he faces multiple criminal charges including terrorism, returning is not an option. “I took part in the protests. Rallies, marches, calls for sanctions,” he said. “There are more than ten counts I could be charged with.” Since 1994, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, in what critics have called Europe’s last dictatorship. Elections held in August 2020 resulted in another landslide victory for the long-time leader, a result which the opposition decried as blatantly falsified. The fallout from the vote led to the biggest protests in Belarus’ modern history, which were soon followed by a record number of arrests. “There are situations where people were travelling to the funeral of their relatives. They were detained and put in jail,” said Helena Niedzwiecka, founder of the Belarusian Solidarity Center that supports exiles in Poland. “You can be imprisoned for liking a post in 2020.” Maxim, whose families’ passports expire in 2024, debated with his wife whether it was safe for her to go back, given she had made fewer political posts. “I said okay, if you want to go, you are an adult... Take one of the children.” “You will get a few years for your political views,” Maxim said. “And they will put the child into an orphanage.” They decided against the idea. Lukashenko has criticized those who have sought refuge abroad as disloyal, casting them as “criminals” who do not deserve citizenship. “Are these people worthy to remain citizens of Belarus if they have fled their native country and actually severed ties with it?” he asked at a government meeting last year. Most dissidents say it is the state that severed ties with them. “My contract with my country was terminated in 2020,” said Inga Okava, a 49-year-old former volunteer who was jailed for trying to independently monitor the 2020 elections. “They falsified everything that everybody wanted,” she sighed. WITH AFP The post Belarusian exiles lose hope appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged
The Supreme Court has directed all judiciary officials and personnel to strengthen the courts’ cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and minimize the risk of cyber threats. Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen issued the directive as Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo is on official travel abroad, citing the recent data breach involving the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. In Administrative Order 150-2023 on “Proper Cyber Hygiene in Judiciary,” the SC said, “One of the most common ways of ransomware attacks is done through phishing emails, which usually contain malicious links or attachments.” The SC warned, “Do not open these links or attachments unless they have been verified to be legitimate.” Court officials and employees were advised to examine carefully the sender’s email address to avoid being victimized. “Phishers often use email addresses that look similar to ones used by legitimate organizations but may have small misspellings or inconsistencies. Always take a close look at the sender’s display name when checking the legitimacy of an email,” the SC said. Court officials and personnel were also instructed to protect personal information and double-check email attachments by scanning the same for viruses. On password security, the SC suggested that “under no circumstances should judiciary personnel use personal information and dictionary words in creating passwords.” Judiciary officials and employees were also urged to use a longer password containing numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters; to avoid the same password for multiple accounts; to consider passphrases or a sequence of random words instead of passwords; to use a password manager; and to enable a multifactor authentication system in their accounts. They were advised never to share their passwords with others, even those who claim to be from trusted institutions, and to ensure that any written passwords are stored securely. In protecting important files and ensuring their recovery in case of data loss, the guidelines recommend that court officials and personnel follow the “3-2-1 backup rule” to ensure data redundancy and availability in case of hardware failure, data corruption, or other catastrophes. The rule requires users to keep three copies of their data on two different media types, with one copy stored offsite. The post Observe ‘cyber hygiene,’ judicial personnel urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SC: AI won’t replace court stenographers
The Supreme Court plans to use voice-to-text software to transcribe court proceedings, but Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo yesterday gave assurance that court stenographers will not become obsolete......»»
2 dead, 2 injured in van-truck collision in Philippines
MANILA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed, and two others injured after a van and a ten-wheeler delivery truck collided on Saturday on a highway in Quezon province, south of Manila, local police said. Corporal Alexander Taburdan of the Calauag police told Xinhua that the head-on crash happened around 8 a.m. local time while the two vehicles were traveling along a highway in Calauag town on the main Luzo.....»»
Taking a tumble
All top five government leaders slid in their approval ratings, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia from 10 to 14 September. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. fell 15 points from 80 in June to 65 this September. Vice President Sara Duterte took an 11-point slide from 84 to 73 in the same time frame. From 56 in June, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s rating slid to 50 in September — six points down. Approval of House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s also decreased, from 52 to 41, another 11-point slide. In the judiciary, Supreme Court Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s approval rating fell 10 points — now only 34 from 44 in June. It’s no mystery why disappointment ruled sentiments in the last quarter. Gas prices climbed every week; the Chinese incursions had made a grievous comeback in the public consciousness; and the “confidential funds” brouhaha had made its way to meme-dom. The numbers are not too alarming; some say they are within a range that still shows confidence in our leaders. Why this is significant at this point lies in one truth we refuse to see: a country will see no substantial progress unless the people respect their leaders. Think of our situation today — how many presidents do we need to try to “save” us from poverty and inequality? We keep saying the Philippines is rich — and perhaps we are, indeed, in natural resources and a workforce and talent that can rightly compete in any part of the world. And yet, we go through perennial problems like hunger and unemployment, a weak peso, corruption scandals, and a massive national debt hanging over our heads. It seems nothing will ever change with this cycle of leadership we can never get rid of. Over the last few decades, we may have learned enough that political feuds among powerful families only slow down the nation. And we may have realized that power struggles continue to diminish our productivity, impeding our forward movement. Research published in July 2016 focused on political dynasties in the Philippines and said: “Despite overwhelming recognition that political dynasties breed patronage politics and corruption, no substantial steps have been taken to address this issue.” Nothing changed after the so-called People Power Revolution, as the same family names continued dominating Congress. The trend continues till today, election after election, with only the occasional new name rising out of the morass because, perhaps, the voting public could no longer stomach the way power and resources are concentrated on a few. And even so, after some time, some of these promising new leaders end up as trapped in the dirt as the ones they removed from power. Either they end up playing the game, now so deeply entrenched, or they leave. Only “a few good men” ever make it past a certain political lifespan. At the same time, we continue to be bogged down by mysteries like why the Philippine General Hospital is getting a zero budget when, obviously, it is the only affordable good hospital that caters to the majority of Filipinos. We continue to wonder why some agencies are getting hefty funds, some even under wraps, when these could be funneled into so many other things like food sustainability, road improvements, solutions to environmental problems, modernizing the agriculture sector, supporting local inventions, and so on. The people look up to their leaders for direction and vision. People will follow — and feel the need to pull their weight and contribute to the work — when they see their leaders as upright and having their welfare always in view. When people feel taken advantage of or taken for granted, they lose faith. Their attitudes change. The country slows to a stop. The post Taking a tumble appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trust SC initiatives for enhanced judicial system — Gesmundo
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has urged the public — particularly government security officials, business leaders and other stakeholders — to place their trust in the high court and support its initiatives aimed at enhancing the judicial system. The Chief Justice also called on everyone to support the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. “Beyond being a mere wish list or a dream, it is a commitment, and we will spare no effort to make it a reality. By improving our efficiency, continuing to innovate, and taking these measures to ensure accessibility for all, the Judiciary will better realize its duty of dispensing justice and safeguarding human and constitutional rights,” Gesmundo said. Since April 2021 when he was appointed as the chief magistrate, Gesmundo acknowledged the challenges faced during the strict lockdowns and emphasized the court’s adoption of technology to keep justice flowing. He mentioned the promotion of videoconferencing for court proceedings. In October 2022, the SC launched the SPJI, a blueprint designed to demonstrate the SC’s unwavering commitment to providing timely and responsive justice. The post Trust SC initiatives for enhanced judicial system — Gesmundo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CICC calls on Filipinos to detect and block scammers
CICC executive director Alexander Ramos signed a memorandum of understanding with Gogolook COO Manwoo Joo recently at the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., CICC highly technical consultant and Gogolook Philippine representative Mel Migrino were also present during the signing ceremony......»»
BBM, Sara approval ratings fall
The approval ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte plummeted in September amid rising commodity prices, China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea, and concerns about confidential and intelligence funds in the proposed 2024 national budget. The latest Pulse Asia survey on Monday showed that Marcos’ approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte’s approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent to 73 percent over the same period. Still, the Vice President, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. “Although the President and the Vice President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experienced significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023,” the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent, although these also slid from 85 percent and 87 percent, respectively, in June. Meanwhile, only half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work being done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, from 56 percent in June. House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s approval rating also fell from 52 percent to 41 percent. Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s approval rating slid further from 44 percent to 34 percent in the same period. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September. It was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It had a plus-minus 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post BBM, Sara approval ratings fall appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte's approval ratings plummeted in September amid West Philippine Sea developments, rising commodity prices, and concerns about proposed confidential funds. Latest survey from opinion polling firm Pulse Asia on Monday showed that Marcos' approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte's approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent in June to 73 percent in September. Still, the Vice President, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. "Although the President and the Vice-President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experience significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023," the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent trust scores, respectively. Meanwhile, half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. Half of the respondents could not say if they approved or disapproved of the performance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September 2023. This nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Hercules’ actor Kevin Sorbo thinks Timothée Chalamet is killing ‘real masculinity’
American actor and producer Kevin Sorbo, who starred as the Greek demigod Hercules in the 1990s show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, is angry about allegedly being “canceled” by Hollywood for his conservative views and Christian beliefs. In a controversial essay titled “Make Hollywood Manly Again” published on Fox News, the actor griped about how Hollywood and the media are supposedly putting traditional male roles in a negative light. “Fathers, in particular, have become the butt of every woke Hollywood jab, the bumbling, useless idiots who contribute nothing to their families or communities, but sacrifice themselves as objects of ridicule,” Sorbo wrote. Lamenting the rise of female-centric “girl boss” films in recent years, Sorbo complained that men are now portrayed as the “impotent sitcom father” and the “brutish he-man who only abuses his strength and makes a mockery of masculinity.” [caption id="attachment_189784" align="aligncenter" width="318"] Timothée Chalamet[/caption] The right-wing actor reserved particular venom for actors Timothée Chalamet and Billy Porter for their androgynous fashion sense. “Society today seriously misunderstands masculinity. On the one hand, we love to normalize androgynous, Billy Porter-type men who sport skirts and poofy dresses,” Sorbo wrote. As for Chalamet: “Let’s just say your grandfather wouldn’t have been caught dead dressed like Chalamet.” Chalamet has been acclaimed for redefining modern men’s fashion and style. His eclectic and atypical roles in films have been reflected in his unique and bold personal style on the red carpet. [caption id="attachment_189785" align="aligncenter" width="316"] Billy Porter[/caption] The Call Me By Your Name superstar was a head-turner at the premiere of his 2018 film Beautiful Boy with a statement tuxedo by Alexander McQueen in a graphic floral motif that gave a fresher and more youthful look to the standard male formal get-up. In 2022, the Oscar-nominated actor once again dominated fashion headlines when he wore a sleeveless and backless Haider Ackermann custom red halter-neck top at his red-carpet appearance for the romantic horror film Bones and All. Porter, a Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winning actor, is likewise regarded as a fashion icon for flaunting genderless clothing in his public appearances. Exhibit A was his appearance at the 91st Academy Awards, where he wore a velvet tuxedo jacket paired with a ball gown. The post ‘Hercules’ actor Kevin Sorbo thinks Timothée Chalamet is killing ‘real masculinity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»