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RDC 12 chairperson, MNLF renew commitment to peace process
The figurehead of the Regional Development Council 12 and the Moro National Liberation Front on Thursday agreed to continue fostering peace and sustainable development together in areas where there are MNLF strongholds covered by its Sept. 2, 1996 final truce with Malacañang......»»
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......»»
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......»»
Rights groups refute Marcos’ claim of ‘progress’ in ending drug war abuses
Human rights groups on Thursday refuted the president’s recent claim that the government is “progressing” in terms of curbing police abuses in the so-called “war on drugs” initiated by his predecessor......»»
World Bank urges Philippines to address funding, infrastructure challenges
The Philippines need to address challenges in terms of funding, lack of digital infrastructure and technical competencies as local government units are looking to develop smart cities, the World Bank said......»»
Human rights panels urged to hear out Lascañas testimonies vs Dutertes
Palabay added that with several whistleblowers like Lascañas coming forward with their revelations, the government’s rights commission and the congressional human rights committees should exercise their mandate in “getting to the bottom” of drug-related killings under Rodrigo Duterte’s terms as Davao City mayor until his presidency......»»
Red carpet to be rolled out for FIVB world meet
The Philippines will leave no stone unturned for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025 – in terms of hosting the event for the first time ever and competing anew after 50 long years......»»
DOE wants better TOR for microgrid bidding system
The Department of Energy plans to improve the terms of reference for the next round of bidding for the development of microgrid systems......»»
Anti-Bullying Ordinance still at City Legal Office
A DAVAO City councilor said that they are still waiting for the decision from the City Legal Office to differentiate the terms of bullying for adults and children in the Anti-Bullying Ordinance of Davao City......»»
Philippines vows hosting readiness for men’s volleyball world championship
The Philippines assured to leave no stone unturned in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025 — in terms of hosting for the first time ever and competing anew after 50 long years......»»
Historic surf meet carves new tourism niche for Baler
The inaugural World Surf League (WSL) competition launched here will create a new niche for the municipality and the province in terms of tourism, a Department of Tourism (DOT) official said......»»
Measuring income inequality
In a recent report about the Philippine economy, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. stated that the economy will grow at a faster pace this year. The emphasis of the report was on the projections for economic growth measured in terms of the Gross Domestic Product......»»
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......»»
Betterment of women s sports tackled in forum
In celebration of Women's Month, Evident Integrated Marketing and PR hosted a forum called Equal Play: Accelerating Progress for Filipina Athletes, to discuss the progress of Filipina athletes in terms of representation and opportunities......»»
Improving healthcare access for individuals deprived of liberty
The Philippines is confronted with the stark reality of being ranked third in terms of prison overcrowding globally, highlighting a pressing concern: individuals deprived of liberty face dire living conditions that imperil their health and well-being......»»
Historically low valuation
The Philippine stock market bloodbath over the past two years saw the PSEi plummet from 7,122.6 on the last trading day of 2021 to 6,566.4 on the last trading day of 2022 for a 7.8 percent annual retreat and slide even further in 2023 to close at 6,450.0 on the last trading day of the year. In terms of valuation, the PSEi’s 2023 year-end 12.9x price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio does not fare well when compared against its past performance in prior years......»»
Philippines e-commerce traffic ranked 5th in East Asia
The Philippines ranked fifth in terms of e-commerce traffic in East Asia, according to a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific......»»
Dominic Roque waiting for Bea Alonzo — Ogie Diaz
Talent manager Ogie Diaz said actor Dominic Roque is still hoping to get back on good terms with his former fiancee Bea Alonzo......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | Misamis Oriental Updates, 31 January 2024
P12.75 billion ok’d for Laguindingan airport expansion The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said it approved the expansion of Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, which has become the most overcrowded airport in the region. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan approved the “parameters, terms, and conditions of the upgrade of the airport,” Mindanao’s second busiest airport. The […].....»»
Century Properties eyes P4 billion from pref shares issue
Century Properties Group Inc. has set the preliminary terms for its planned preferred shares issuance, in which the company intends to raise as much as P4 billion......»»