Lower Houses pass ‘Victory Day’ bill to remember Yamashita surrender

Lone District Representative Mark Go said that the Lower Houses has approved on third and final reading House Bill 3721 recognizing the importance of September 3 that marked the end of World War II in Baguio, where General Tomoyuki Yamashita signed the formal surrender documents. Go said it is befitting to remember the day as Victory Day not just in Baguio, but the entire country as it marked the end of the second World War in the Pacific.

DOJ won’t probe Duterte sons’ alleged involvement in Customs scandal

JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the Department of Justice through its investigative arm National Bureau of Investigation will no longer probe the possible involvement of two members of President Rodrigo Duterte's family in the entry of P6.4 billon worth of shabu shipment at the Bureau of Customs . The justice secretary believes that the critics of the President only want to make the issue appear to be a "family affair."

More than a thousand turn Philippine funeral to protest against war on drugs

A protester holds a placard and shouts anti-government slogans, seeking justice for 17-year-old high school student Kian delos Santos, who was killed in a recent police raid in an escalation of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, during a protest in front of the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines on August 23, 2017.

The climate truth we can no longer ignore

Residents clear debris in the city of Tacloban, devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, in the Philippines in November 2013. It was reportedly the deadliest storm in recorded history.a Just two or three decades ago, scientists were talking about the consequences of climate change manifesting in 50-100 years.

‘Sequel’ explores growing problem of climate change

Former Vice President Al Gore visits Tacloban city in the Philippines, an area that was hit hard in 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan - an arresting physical image and reminder of the effects tied to climate change, in "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power." With articles about climate change going viral on social media, reports of extreme weather events and melting glaciers circling in the news, and the president's decision to leave the Paris climate accord, this couldn't be a better or scarier time for "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" to hit theaters.

Russia ready for more engagement with US, despite sanctions

U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson gestures before the 10th Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial Meeting, part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in Manila, Philippines, Sunday Aug. 6, 2017. Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, center, links arms with Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers and their representatives as they take part in the ASEAN-Russia Ministerial meeting in the 50th ASEAN Regional Forum in suburban Pasay city southeast of Manila, Philippines Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

2017 Outstanding students in Cordillera awarded

THE Ten Outstanding Students in the Cordillera Administrative Region were awarded in the regional recognition ceremony last July 31 at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City. This year's Oscars are Rou Jay Balagot, Brett Dales Maslang and Avjine Magwiling from the University of the Cordilleras; John Oliver De Vera, Zion Jemillinium Tam-awen, and Mark Neil Pageet from the Benguet State University; Hearthel Kate Buyuccan from the Ifugao State University; Oliver Lance Insigne from the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology; Mark Lorenzo Permalino from Saint Louis University, and Romane Jasmin Manos from the Easter College.

Duterte vows to continue drug war, end communist rebel talks

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte vowed Monday to continue his bloody war on illegal drugs despite international and domestic criticism and warned that offenders will end up in "jail or hell." In his second state of the nation speech, Duterte also insisted he would not hold peace talks with communist rebels because of continuing attacks.

Marawi Militants Losing, Philippines Says, but Neighbors Fear Their Spread

Islamist militants holed up in a southern Philippines town have been cornered and their firepower is flagging, the military said Thursday, as the five-week battle for control of Marawi City raged on. Despite signs that the insurgents are now on the back foot, Southeast Asian governments are worried that the siege could be just the prelude to further violence as the ultra-radical Islamic State group tries to establish a foothold in their region.

Philippines says Islamist fighters trapped in corner of besieged town

A graffiti is seen on a wall of a back alley as government soldiers continue their assault against the Maute group, who have taken over parts of Marawi City, Philippines June 22, 2017. A government soldier guards a city hall compound, as government troops continue their assault against insurgents from the Maute group, who have taken over parts of Marawi City, Philippines June 22, 2017.

Filipino troops, gunships fight militants in southern city

Philippine troops backed by armored vehicles and rocket-firing helicopters fought to re-take control of a city that has been under attack by gunmen linked to the Islamic State group since a raid earlier this week failed to capture one of Asia's most-wanted militants. Rebels have torn through the streets of Marawi since Tuesday night, torching buildings, taking a priest and his worshippers hostage and sealing off much of the city.

The latest: Army trucks roll deeper into Philippine city

This undated image provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a wanted poster for Isnilon Hapilon, who was purportedly designated leader of the Islamic State group's Southeast Asia branch in 2016 but has long ties to local extremist movements. Hapilon gained notoriety beyond the Philippines when he allegedly helped Abu Sayyaf kidnap 20 hostages from a Filipino resort in 2001.

Martial law declared in Philippines’ south after militant siege

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the country's south for 60 days after an attack by Muslim extremists allied with the Islamic State group. Mr Duterte has cut short his trip to Moscow - where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin - to return home and deal with the developing situation.

Cagayan de Oro City fiscals have new officer-in-charge

THE Department of Justice designated a new officer-in-charge of the Cagayan de Oro City Prosecutor's Office . Prosecutor Merlynn Uy, erstwhile OIC of the CPO, has been reassigned to the Regional Prosecutors' Office beginning Monday, May 8. Replacing Uy is Prosecutor Abraham Ramos, who was previously assigned as provincial prosecutor of Pangasinan while Uy will report back to RPO as senior assistant regional prosecutor.

DOF chief: Mighty lawyers blocking efforts to find out tax deficiencies

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has accused the lawyers of cigarette manufacturing firm, Mighty Corporation, of "obstructing" government efforts to look into company's business activities. President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier ordered the Department of Finance and the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs to determine the correct amount that Mighty should pay in deficiency taxes after it allegedly used fake stamps.

DA Food Skyway program offers new market for Zambo Peninsula fisher folks

Fishermen in Zamboanga Peninsula will soon have a larger market for their fish catch, especially during this month's peak season, as the Department of Agriculture will launch the so-called Philippine Food Skyway program later this month, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources . BFAR Regional Director Isidro Velayo Jr. on Thursday said that they are currently preparing the mechanisms to collect the surplus catch that cannot be absorbed by the local market and the fish processing industries in the region.

The Loudest Critic of Duterte’s War on Drugs Is Preparing For Arrest

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima delivers a privilege speech at the Senate in Pasay city, Metro Manila, Philippines September 20, 2016. " has been Senator Leila de Lima, a former Secretary of Justice who has used her political platform to denounce the epidemic of extrajudicial murders that have left more than 6,000 dead in the ostensible name of eradicating drug use.