China Threatens to Release Audio of Secret Deal With Philippines
The administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied it reached a secret agreement on the shoal with China. The US and the Philippines have repeatedly disputed Beijing’s version of events in the South China Sea, while also accusing China of spreading misinformation. Chinese officials declined to identify that person. Asked Tuesday about China’s claims to have an audio of a phone call with Carlos, Teodoro said he didn’t know anything about it. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that only President Marcos can authorize agreements on the South China Sea.
Source:The Standard
May 08, 2024 14:49 UTC
Man who bit off politician’s ear has jail sentence reduced by six months on appeal
A man jailed for 14.5 years after being found guilty of biting off a former district councilor’s ear and attacking three others during the 2019 social unrest had his sentence reduced by half a year on appeal. The man, Joe Chen, was previously found guilty by a jury on three counts of wounding with intent – an offense punishable by life in prison – and one of common assault . Handing down judgment on Wednesday, Court of Appeal judges disagreed with the appellant's lawyers that the starting point of the sentence was too high. Considering the payment as a mitigating factor, the judges reduced Chen’s jail sentence by six months to 14 years. Read more:Man who bit off councilor's ear in Taikoo Shing gets 14.5 years in jailTai Koo terror
Source:The Standard
May 08, 2024 12:48 UTC
WATCH: Family planning mobile clinic launched
DKT Philippines SODEX or Service Outreach and Distribution Extension Program Mobile Clinic, the country's first ever ambulatory clinic for family planning, is held at the Casimiro Ynares Auditorium in Binangonan, Rizal on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Dr. Glen Mathew Baggao, Health undersecretary for Public Health Services Cluster, in an interview with the media, said the deployment of an ambulatory clinic would be 'helpful' in promoting family planning across the country. Denise Van Dijk of DKT, meanwhile, said that they aim to deploy more mobile clinics across the Philippines to expand its reach. Videos by Red Mendoza and John Orven Verdote
Source:Manila Times
May 08, 2024 11:41 UTC
Reunited | The Manila Times CSI On The Go!
Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua graces the Miss Universe Philippines Sponsors Night on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Manila Hotel where she was reunited with friend and batchmate Michelle Dee. Just like the candidates of the local pageant, Palacios wore a traditional Filipiñana and shared how she felt immediately at home in the Philippines as part of her Asia tour. Video by Iza Iglesias
Source:Manila Times
May 08, 2024 10:26 UTC
Via contract farming, NIA eyeing P29 per kg rice by August
MANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) plans to sell rice at P29 per kilogram this August. According to NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, there was already rice selling for P20 per kg at select NIA Kadiwa Stores from the irrigators’ association as a token of appreciation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.ADVERTISEMENT“At NIA, we also have a big project – our contract farming… In fact, our estimate for that is we can sell at P29 per kilo by August,” Guillen said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday. One of Marcos’ most famous campaign promises was to lower the price of rice to P20 per kg. However, rice prices are still high, with some selling it at almost P60 per kg —almost triple that of Marcos’ promise.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 08, 2024 00:05 UTC
Committee on Foreign Relations (May 7, 2024)
Agenda: S. No. 1907 - Migrant Filipino Youth Desks Act of 2023 (By: Sen. M. Villar) P.S. 534 - International Labour Organization Work in Fishing Convention (By: Sen. Villanueva) P.S. 539 - Philippine Government Treaty Obligations to the Comfort Women (By: Sen. Hontiveros) P.S. 969 - Diplomatic Ties Between the Philippines and Iraq (By: Sen. Padilla)Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Source:Manila Times
May 07, 2024 18:50 UTC
A drought and famine for solutions
A drought and famine for solutionsFor several decades now, I have had an interest in solar power for residential and recreational applications. My latest sight-seeing tour was on Facebook, where a particular group popped up and it did not take me long to conclude that there is a nationwide “drought & famine for solutions” regarding pumping water out of the ground for various applications. At the height of summer, it becomes abundantly clear that we have so much solar energy available FOR FREE! We are talking hundreds of millions in wasted money and hundreds of millions of pesos in lost opportunities and untapped energy. Why surrender solar energy to influential individuals or companies as a business instead of making it a “human right” for Filipinos?
Source:Philippine Star
May 07, 2024 17:31 UTC
Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than year before
Filipinos plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than year beforeMANILA, Philippines — Around 70% of Filipinos are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the year before, according to data collected by travel agency Klook. Referencing data from Macquarie Research and Cirium, Ho pointed out that Asia travel recovery continues to be strong. International flight attendants share practical tips, hacksHo then referenced results of a Klook Travel Pulse Survey conducted last January that showed 64% of travelers would spend at least 30-50% more on 2024 travel than the year before while over 60% will spend up to half of their budget on activities and experiences. More than 75 % of travellers in Malaysia and India are planning to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the previous year, with Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam joining the Philippines around the 70% mark. Some of the major global events that could influence international travel this year are Entertainment and Music tourism, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the World Expo Osaka.
Source:Philippine Star
May 07, 2024 16:35 UTC
INQUIRER.net COO accepts awards for West PH Sea coverage
In her acceptance speech, Alcantara emphasized the responsibility of journalists to provide the public with objective and fearless coverage of the ongoing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. “It’s really our public duty to report the events that are happening in the West Philippine Sea in a fair, objective, fearless manner,” she said. “[It helps] the public understand what’s really at stake—and what’s [at] stake is our sovereignty,” she added. READ: INQUIRER.net staffers recognized for West PH Sea coverageAside from Inquirer.net and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, journalists from GMA, ABS-CBN, TV5, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Star were also awarded by NDCPAAI. The reports presented a comprehensive view of the West Philippine Sea situation, encompassing ecological, economic, technological, historical, and societal dimensions.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 07, 2024 15:52 UTC
Woman in drive-by kidnapping found unharmed, three arrested
The woman who was abducted in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday afternoon has been found unharmed with sources saying police have arrested three suspects. The woman – 47-year-old Lui – was found in a private car located opposite Heng Yuet House, Heng On Estate in Ma On Shan. According to sources, police have arrested three suspected for false imprisonment. The case is now being handled by the Yau Tsim district crime unit and police will later hold a briefing to disclose more details. The incident occurred around noon on Monday when Lui was seen smoking an e-cigarette outside a shop on Ichang Street.
Source:The Standard
May 07, 2024 07:54 UTC
Shanghai startup expands to HK and showcases smart transportation innovations to improve safety
Neuvix Intelligent Technology (Hong Kong), a Shanghai-based startup specializing in providing digital innovation solutions for the transportation segment. Yanan YU, CEO of Neuvix Intelligent Technology (Hong Kong) Co., Limited. InnoEX 2024, held at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre, is an international I&T event in the spring season. “Firstly, we aim to leverage new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and improve the safety of public transportation. Therefore, HKSTP is delighted to witness the emergence of a greater number of smart transportation solutions aimed at enhancing transportation safety and advancing the development of a smart city.
Source:The Standard
May 07, 2024 07:32 UTC
Philippines, US fire at 'invasion' force in South China Sea war games
LAOAG, Philippines — US and Filipino troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary "invasion" force during war games on the Philippines' northern coast Monday, days after their governments objected to China's "dangerous" actions in regional waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Just last week, Manila said the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel in water cannon attacks around the disputed China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 30. The ministers "discussed opportunities to further advance defence cooperation" and to "work together to support states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea". The US Marine Corps said the manoeuvre was a rehearsal for the rapid deployment of the missile system across the Philippines' South China Sea coast to "secure and protect Philippines' maritime terrain, territorial waters and exclusive economic zone interests".
Source:Philippine Star
May 07, 2024 00:18 UTC
When ‘surrendering’ is winning
When ‘surrendering’ is winningLast week, my family and I spent an invigorating weekend on the beach. One clear day, we set out to sea to feed the fish, do some snorkeling and free diving. Sitting at the edge of the boat, feet dangling in the water, I was about to take the leap. One of the portions of the multi-trip zipline journey was to go down the zipline back facing the next stop. There is a part of Hawkins’ book that tells us: “When we look at our lives, we will see the residual of past life crises which are still unresolved.
Source:Philippine Star
May 06, 2024 23:25 UTC
BuCor: strip search only for highly suspicious visitors
MANILA, Philippines — Following allegations of “degrading and traumatic” strip search at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said its jail officers only conduct the procedure to visitors they highly suspect to be carrying contraband. “These, however, are done in a professional manner and with utmost consideration to protect the interest also of the person being subjected to such,” he added. “Simply put, any person who will not submit themselves to our security protocols has no business entering the same,” he added. BuCor’s statement came after wives of political prisoners filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) earlier Monday. Members of Kapatid, a support organization for the families of political prisoners, claimed they were subjected to degrading and traumatic “strip search” at the NBP during their last visit on April 21.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 06, 2024 19:12 UTC
Boracay favorite Nonie's unveils first branch in Metro Manila
7 Tuna Tataki Grain Bowl 8 Sparkling Blue Ternate Lemonade Chicken Pork Adobo Nonie’s moves forward from the laidback island life of Boracay to the hustle of Metro Manila. This expansion marks a significant milestone for Nonie's as it introduces its refreshed brand and culinary offerings to a wider audience in Metro Manila. "This is our first branch outside Boracay. Just taking baby steps since this is our first-time doing business outside of Boracay so we really liked the community aspect of the area. The new 35-seater Nonie's location in Molito Lifestyle Center is pet-friendly and welcomes reservations for individuals or groups, as well as private functions.
Source:Manila Times
May 06, 2024 16:56 UTC