
DFA: 27 Pinoys from Israel, 8 from Iran to arrive this week
Twenty-seven Filipinos from Israel and eight from Iran are expected to return to the Philippines this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Filipinos from Israel are composed of 26 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and one tourist.
'That's today that they're in Amman, so they could possibly arrive tomorrow because their flight is leaving Amman. So, possibly tomorrow afternoon nandiyan na sila (they're here), at the latest for sure Tuesday,' De Vega said at the Kapihan sa QC.
Meanwhile, eight Filipinos from Iran — six OFWs and two tourists — are set to return to the Philippines on Thursday.
Earlier today, DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer said nine Filipinos in Iran have requested repatriation, and over 200 Filipinos in Israel wanted to return to the Philippines.
On Friday, the Philippine government raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between the two countries continue.
Eight Filipinos were injured amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said.
At least 88 Filipinos have lost their homes due to missile impact, it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


GMA Network
12 hours ago
- GMA Network
Diokno files bill on mandatory translation to Filipino of laws
"A worker in Mindanao shouldn't need a lawyer or translator to understand the Labor Code; a mother in Ilocos should be able to read the Anti-VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) law in her native tongue,' Diokno said. Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a bill seeking the mandatory translation of Philippine laws to Filipino as well as dialects Bisaya and Ilocano, saying citizens who cannot understand the law due to a language barrier are unfairly put at a disadvantage. Diokno filed his proposal under House Bill 3863, or the Batas sa Sariling Wika Act or Law in Native Language Act. 'How can we expect ordinary citizens to follow the law if it's written in a language they can't understand?" Diokno said. "A worker in Mindanao shouldn't need a lawyer or translator to understand the Labor Code; a mother in Ilocos should be able to read the Anti-VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) law in her native tongue,' he added. 'Bilang tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao sa loob ng ilang dekada na, karamihan ng mga kliyente natin ay mga ordinaryong mamamayan na hindi bihasa sa Ingles. Dehado na nga sila dahil wala silang pera at kakayahan, mas lalo pa silang dehado dahil hindi nila naintindihan ang batas,' Diokno added. (As a human rights lawyer for decades, most of my clients are ordinary Filipinos who are not well-versed in English. They are already at a disadvantage because they don't have much financial capacity, and they will be in a worse position if they do not understand the law.) Diokno's bill seeks to amend the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 by requiring translations into the three major Philippine languages — Filipino, Bisaya, and Ilokano, which account for the country's four largest ethnolinguistic groups: Tagalog (26%), Bisaya (14.3%), Ilokano (8%), and Cebuano (8%). 'By translating laws with penalties into terms that are easily understandable by ordinary citizens in their local language, we minimize the risk of misunderstanding and misinterpretation,' Diokno pointed out. Likewise, Diokno's bill mandates that all new laws with penal provisions should be translated to the abovementioned languages within 90 days, and all existing laws with penal provisions — including the Revised Penal Code, Labor Code, RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), Anti-VAWC Act, Safe Spaces Act, and the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, among others, should betranslated within five years. The bill tasks the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) as the lead translating authority, while the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is in charge of publishing the translations in the Official Gazette and making them available online. The Batas sa Sariling Wika bill is co-authored by Diokno's fellow Akbayan party-list lawmakers Percival Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, as well as Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene 'Kaka' Bag-ao. –NB, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
17 hours ago
- GMA Network
Imee Marcos takes drug test
Senator Imee Marcos and her staff underwent drug testing following reports of alleged marijuana use by a Senate employee inside the premises of the upper chamber. According to her office, all of Marcos' 38 staff, including her security personnel, were instructed to take a 5-panel drug test for cocaine, shabu, ecstasy, marijuana, and opium. 'Natapos na lahat ng staff ko. Inobliga ko sila at wala namang pumalag. Eh nakakahiya naman, dapat ako nauna eh kaya nga nandito na 'ko,' the senator said in a video posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday. (All of my staff have finished drug testing. I obliged them to do so and no one refused. It's a shame, I should have been the first to take it, but I'm here now.) Aside from Marcos, Senators Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri and Raffy Tulfo, as well as their staff, have also undergone drug testing. Senator Loren Legarda also mandated the same for her staff in a bid to ensure a drug-free office. The test of Tulfo and his staff all yielded negative results, while the results of others have yet to be released. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said that he is also willing to undergo a drug test and may ask his staff to voluntarily do the same. Some senators decided to do so after reports circulated that a Senate staff member from the office of Senator Robin Padilla allegedly smoked marijuana in the building. Actress Nadia Montenegro was named in an incident report, but she denied the allegation and eventually resigned as Padilla's political affairs officer. Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero also previously said that the Senate plans to conduct a mandatory random drug test for all officials and employees this 20th Congress. —VAL, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
19 hours ago
- GMA Network
Cebu Pacific to mount A330neo flights to Iloilo, Bohol, Puerto Princesa starting Q4
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific will mount flights to more local destinations utilizing its Airbus A330neo aircraft starting in the fourth quarter. According to Cebu Pacific, it will operate flights between Manila and Iloilo seven times weekly starting October 26, Manila and Puerto Princesa four times weekly starting November 2, and Manila and Bohol seven times weekly starting November 16. In July, Cebu Pacific became the first local carrier to operate a 100-strong fleet after the delivery of its latest A330neo, which has 459 seats. This is said to be the latest-generation aircraft that can burn up to 25% less fuel per flight and produce less noise. 'We're excited to expand our A330neo operations to more Philippine destinations, as this allows us more seats, lower fares, and an even more comfortable travel experience for our passengers,' Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said in an emailed statement on Thursday. 'By increasing capacity to key domestic routes, we not only make travel more accessible but also help drive tourism and stimulate economic activity, creating opportunities for local communities and further supporting the growth of Philippine tourism,' he added. –VBL, GMA Integrated News