BI intercepts 2 American sex offenders
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said that two American sex offenders were recently intercepted and denied entry to the country. According to the BI, Nathan Woodward, 56, arrived in the country on January 27, 2024 from Los Angeles. FEATURED STORIESAccording to BI official Joseph Cueto, Woodward was sent back to Los Angeles on the same day. “He was immediately issued an exclusion order and boarded on the next available PAL flight to Los Angeles that very same day,” Cueto said. Flores was listed in the California State Registry for child sexual abuse, the immigration bureau said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 07, 2024 12:09 UTC
Gatchalian: Gov’t must shield kids from sexual predators who use AI
MANILA, Philippines — It is imperative for the national government to confront the threat posed by artificial intelligence, particularly its potential to facilitate the exploitation and abuse of children by sexual predators, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Wednesday. For the senator, modernization follows an alarming trend of sexual abuse among children. FEATURED STORIES“It’s important for us to address this and make certain that anyone who uses the internet or technology to abuse children will be penalized,” he added. READ: Over 900,00 websites showing online child abuse blocked in 2023 — CWCREAD: PH is No. 2 in online child abuse – execsThe Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) earlier warned against worsening child abuse, saying that some unscrupulous people use artificial intelligence to peddle child pornography.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 07, 2024 11:59 UTC
WATCH: House committees approve use of 'medical marijuana'
House of Representatives Dangerous Drugs Committee Chairman and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers tells media on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, that the bill allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes in the country has been approved by his committee and the Committee on Health. Among the salient features of the measure are penalties for over prescription and the creation of a 'medical cannabis office' under the Department of Health (DoH) to regulate the drug. Video by Red Mendoza
Source:Manila Times
February 07, 2024 09:34 UTC
Urgent calls for heart donor as ‘perfect’ husband and mechanic left with just three weeks maximum to live
The next two to three weeks will be most crucial for 48-year-old mechanic Kwok Ho-wing to receive a heart transplant as Queen Mary Hospital appealed to Hongkongers to donate an O blood type heart. Kwok’s blood type is O positive. He can accept any heart from a donor with an O blood type and standing at least 1.6 meters. Wong Ka-lam, a heart transplant physician at Grantham Hospital, said Kwok suffered issues with cardiac vessels as well as heart arrhythmia that has greatly damaged his heart. The hospital will search for a suitable heart in the city first in accordance with existing mechanisms, Wong said.
Source:The Standard
February 07, 2024 08:06 UTC
Meta urged to update rules
It was reported to Meta and later the company's oversight board as hate speech. The tech giant's oversight board, which independently reviews Meta's content moderation decisions, said the platform was technically correct to leave the video online. But it also insisted that the company's rules on manipulated content were no longer fit for purpose. Already one US robocall impersonating Biden urged New Hampshire residents not to cast ballots in the Democratic primary, prompting state authorities to launch a probe into possible voter suppression. The oversight board urged Meta to reconsider the manipulated media policy "quickly, given the number of elections in 2024."
Source:Manila Times
February 07, 2024 04:30 UTC
Profiles in corruption: GMA, Hello Garci, NBN-ZTE, atbp.
This was the "Hello Garci" tapes, purportedly of a female (GMA) asking the commissioner to rig the elections in her favor. An earlier move by members of the congressional minority to impeach GMA failed, with her majority coalition blocking this initiative. NBN-ZTE deal a telenovelaThis corruption scandal is about the anomalous $329 million construction contract awarded to the Chinese telecommunications company ZTE for the proposed government national broadband network (NBN). Joey de Venecia was president of Amsterdam Holdings, the company that lost its bid to ZTE for the NBN project. She faced plunder charges but fled the country in 2011.
Source:Manila Times
February 06, 2024 22:03 UTC
What to know about Lunar New Year Celebrations in PH
MANILA, Philippines — Lunar New Year is around the corner! Lunar New Year, an important event celebrated in China and various countries across Asia, is marked by vibrant festivities that begin with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. These celebrations extend for 15 days, culminating on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. Lunar New Year in PHLunar New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Philippines, particularly in Filipino-Chinese communities. These dances, central to Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 06, 2024 19:58 UTC
House and Senate at an ‘impasse’ after senators take exception with loyalty pledge
House and Senate at an ‘impasse’ after senators take exception with loyalty pledgeSenate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez talk to each other during the joint session of the 19th Congress at the House of Representatives on July 25, 2022. On Tuesday, House Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales defended the recently passed House Resolution 156, which expresses the lawmakers’ support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez after senators supposedly violated the principle of inter-parliamentary courtesy and interfered with the House’s affairs. Gonzales said on Tuesday that the House “(does) not want a word war” and had sought to “temper” the anger of lawmakers by way of a House resolution expressing their collective stance. Marcos, who is leading the Senate inquiry on the PI campaign, said on Tuesday that the House resolution in defense of Romualdez is indicative of tensions within the lower chamber itself. The lawmaker added that the situation between the two chambers of Congress has become “really uncomfortable.”“Where have you seen the Upper House and Lower House fighting?
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2024 17:52 UTC
Marcos and Duterte clan alliance ruptures
MANILA, Philippines — Less than two years after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was swept to power, his family's alliance with his firebrand predecessor Rodrigo Duterte has been shattered. 'Drug addict'Fronting a rally of supporters in his home city Davao on January 28, Duterte accused Marcos of being a "drug addict", while his youngest son Sebastian Duterte said Marcos should resign. While Sara Duterte alleged last week that she had suffered "despicable treatment" by people close to the president, she has been careful to avoid directly criticising Marcos. Despite the elder Duterte's attacks on his successor, Marcos has said his relationship with Sara Duterte remains unchanged and that he would keep her as education secretary. He is widely expected to seek the presidency in 2028, potentially pitting him against the more popular Sara Duterte.
Source:Philippine Star
February 06, 2024 17:46 UTC
Taal Volcano’s toxic gas emission drops
LUCENA CITY – The emission of a high volume of toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) from Taal Volcano in Batangas province further subsided on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Tuesday, Feb. 6. On Jan. 25 to 28, the volcano released 15,145 MT of toxic volcanic gas, the highest so far this year. Last year, the volcano logged 11,499 MT on Nov. 9, the highest emission level recorded in 2023. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Taal Volcano’s toxic gas emissions easeVog contains acidic volcanic gases in fine droplets, causing eye, throat, and respiratory irritation. Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest), according to Phivolcs.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 06, 2024 17:42 UTC
Is India 'scared of' China?
India, which sees itself as the hegemon of South Asia, views the region as a forbidden area and fortifies against China in every aspect. But the model of coexistence between China and India does not have to be like this at all. On many issues, New Delhi demands and pressures its South Asian neighbors to "choose sides" between China and India. What is India "scared" of China? We also want to say that India shouldn't be "scared of" China, but the meaning behind this statement is fundamentally different from Jaishankar's.
Source:Manila Times
February 06, 2024 16:10 UTC
WATCH: House leaders say Zubiri committed to finish RBH 6 hearings by March
House of Representatives' Sr. Deputy Speaker Aurelio 'Dong' Gonzales Jr. and Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, during a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, say they believe that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri 'committed' to a March deadline to finish the hearings on Resolution on Both House (RBH) 6 amid claims by the Senate Leader that they will not stick to a tight deadline in hearing the measure. Video by Red MendozaGet 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
February 06, 2024 15:40 UTC
WATCH: Marcos wants stronger, improved PNP cyber security system
Palace press briefer Daphne Paez, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. talk to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, following a sectoral meeting in Malacañang. In that meeting, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the "strengthening and improvement of the PNP's cyber security systems" to address cyber crime and cyber security in the country. Video by Catherine Valente
Source:Manila Times
February 06, 2024 14:33 UTC
WATCH: House leaders urge senators to be more 'empathetic' toward Romualdez
House of Representatives Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, and TGP Partylist Rep. Jose "Bong" Teves Jr. on Tuesday urge the Senate to be more "empathetic" with the House as they protect Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, against attacks by some senators. They also asked who among the 24 senators will support moves to change certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution, while thumbing down a suggestion to push for a plebiscite alongside the 2025 midterm elections. Video by Red Mendoza
Source:Manila Times
February 06, 2024 13:21 UTC
6 Catholic bishops demand protection for Filipino fishers from Chinese aggression
6 Catholic bishops demand protection for Filipino fishers from Chinese aggressionFishermen check the floating barriers installed by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) at the passage heading to Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. MANILA, Philippines — Six Catholic bishops in dioceses near fisher communities have issued a rare appeal for the government to bring the full might of the law against Chinese vessels harassing Filipino fisherfolk, backing international action to stem China’s “forcible occupation” of Philippine maritime zones. Now, the bishops wrote, Filipino fisherfolk have to risk their lives by venturing far into the open sea just to bring home catch. The president’s statement came after Chinese naval assets water cannoned PCG vessels during its resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. “We gratefully acknowledge statements of resoluteness about defending the resources God, in his munificence, has made available to us through the sea.
Source:Philippine Star
February 05, 2024 21:44 UTC