Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Dragon
I was happy and proud to have helped facilitate this visit, having some close personal and professional ties myself to San Diego. San Diego also happens to be where a dear friend of mine, Mrs. Julie Hill, lives in a lovely home in Rancho Sta. De Castro helped to formalize that donation as our consul in San Diego, cementing our relationship. One of them asked: “What is the Filipino dream?” My UP colleagues responded to that in various ways, coming from different technical and academic disciplines. What I told them was that this America was no longer the America I once thought I knew and looked up to, despite its excesses.
On the right path to a prosperous AseanIt was a productive weekend in Nasugbu. We were lucky to have had with us several of our allies in this work, including some of most respected think-tanks in the world, partners from outside the ASEAN in the Joint Business Council and resource persons from the ASEAN Secretariat. For this, I thank the AustCham ASEAN, Canada-ASEAN Business Council, East Asia Business Council, EU-ASEAN Business Council, JETRO, ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council, Russia-ASEAN Business Council, UK-ASEAN Business Council, US-ASEAN Business Council, GMS Business Council, ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance and the ASEAN Responsible and Inclusive Business Alliance for taking the time to join us. For the past two years, we have made headway with our agriculture and food security initiative, the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA). It will be a strategic partner, policy co-creator and private sector convenor in the implementation of the ASEAN economic integration agenda.
PNP clarifies signage removal orderThe clarification follows a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum and a PNP memo dated Feb. 2 directing all police units to remove signages, tarpaulins, markers, posters and similar materials bearing the name, image, initials, color motif, slogan or identifying symbols of public officials, particularly those linked to government-funded projects and activities. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police clarified yesterday that its prohibition and removal of politically branded signages apply only to materials displayed at PNP stations, camps, offices and other facilities nationwide. The clarification follows a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum and a PNP memo dated Feb. 2 directing all police units to remove signages, tarpaulins, markers, posters and similar materials bearing the name, image, initials, color motif, slogan or identifying symbols of public officials, particularly those linked to government-funded projects and activities. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has ordered all local government officials to remove similar materials in their jurisdictions, including from walls of government structures and ambulances.
Blue Ribbon to reexamine Marcos’ role in flood messMANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is set to reexamine today President Marcos’ possible liability in the flood control corruption mess, as the panel prepares to introduce significant amendments to its draft committee report to secure the necessary signatures for plenary deliberation. It cited Marcos’ supposed benefit from kickbacks linked to insertions and ghost flood control projects. “We cannot see (any link to Marcos) because the President approves the GAA when it reaches him. Lacson admitted that the committee report is still in jeopardy if it fails to gather 11 signatures, including at least one from the minority bloc. There will be no committee report,” Lacson said.
Korean scores first Asian Tour triumphMANILA, Philippines — He was the most consistent performer the whole week, breaking par each round. And fittingly, it was Korean Wooyung Cho who reigned supreme in the first-ever Philippine Golf Championship presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. Well in contention after rounds of 69-70-71, Cho fired a near-flawless five-under 67 at the soaked East Course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club yesterday to run away to a four-stroke triumph at 11-under 277. I was telling myself ‘Wooyoung it’s okay, Wooyoung it’s okay. To put the cherry on top, Cho received a cool $10,000 from Wack Wack, led by president Ben Abalos, for shooting the day’s lowest score.
First female Army battalion commander honoredCabading is due for assignment to a higher post after relinquishing her duties as commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion to Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete at Camp Morgia in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Saying the best man for a military job is a woman, local executives and officials of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division lauded Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading in simple rites on Friday. Cabading is due for assignment to a higher post after relinquishing her duties as commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion to Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete at Camp Morgia in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The 10th Infantry Division is now part of the history pertaining to a hardworking woman who had led one of its battalions so well,” said 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Alvin Luzon. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza wished that Cabading would be assigned to the 6th Infantry Division “so we can work together in peace-building thrusts in the communities.”
‘Testifying vs Marcos not a priority for Zaldy’MANILA, Philippines — He may have tagged President Marcos to be part of the anomalies in flood control projects, but testifying against Marcos during impeachment proceedings is among the least of priorities of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, his lawyer said. But Rondain said that, at this point, this is not the primary reason why Co made the video alleging Marcos’ involvement in corruption related to government infrastructure projects. “That’s low in his priority list,” Rondain said, referring to Co’s testifying against Marcos. Co was chair of the House committee on appropriations, which is in charge of deliberations on the proposed national budget. Allegations against Co outlined how he supposedly used his position for a scheme that siphoned billions from government coffers.
Tabuena winds up joint 48thMANILA, Philippines — Miguel Tabuena finished tied for 48th and earned $50,000 (about P2.9 million) in his LIV Golf League debut. After three successive one-under 71s at the season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh, Tabuena fired his best round of three-under 69 to wrap up his first appearance under the Dustin Johnson-led 4Aces GC team on a strong note yesterday (Manila time). At six-under 282 for the $30-milion tournament, the Pinoy Olympian finished 18 strokes off Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC (264 after a final-round 64), who completed a Cinderella triumph at the expense of two-time major champion Jon Rahm of Legion XIII (265 after a 63). Tabuena wound up tied with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson of the US (68) and Sam Horsfield of England (72) for 48th to 50th in the individual standings.
The new Chinese ambassador is undertaking a round of tours of Philippine media entities. “As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese embassy,” Ji pointed out. But Cayetano’s motion was shot down by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III before the floor debate turned even uglier. A majority vote of a Senate resolution can express anger, but it cannot replace careful judgment. It is an exercise to cool down the heated WPS debate before it turns into senseless rage achieving nothing.
51 OFWs repatriated from Cambodiaepartment of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara and DMW- Metro Manila regional director Falconi Millar assured the victims of immediate assistance. MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-one Filipinos trafficked to Cambodia returned yesterday to Manila, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The latest batch follows the first group of 190 overseas Filipino workers repatriated on Feb. 6. Authorities welcomed the trafficking victims upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara and DMW- Metro Manila regional director Falconi Millar assured the victims of immediate assistance.
Government allots P4.4 billion as 467,000 affected by BasyangMANILA, Philippines — Nearly P4.4 billion has been allocated for relief operations in the wake of Tropical Storm Basyang, as the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) gave assurance that aid is being provided in affected areas, the agency announced on Saturday, citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Meanwhile, the number of families affected by Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao has reached 132,000, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday. The agency has provided more than 9,800 food packs and more than 1,300 ready-to-eat food boxes to affected families in Northern Mindanao and Caraga as of last Friday. AftermathAccording to OCD spokesman Junie Castillo, the number of affected families is equivalent to 467,000 persons from 850 barangays in Visayas and Mindanao. Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Calabarzon will have cloudy skies with light rains.
Veloso pleads for freedom anewOverseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Velo- so reunites with her family at the Correc- tional Institution for Women in Mandalu- yong on Dec. 18, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Detained overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso has appealed for continued public support for her freedom in an open letter written from prison and released on Jan. 28, according to migrant group Migrante International. Veloso, who was transferred from death row in Indonesia to the Philippines in 2024, has now spent a year at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. In her letter, she described the hardship faced by her aging parents, who travel several hours from Nueva Ecija to visit her. Multiple petitions seeking clemency for Veloso have been submitted to the Marcos administration, but none have been granted.
