Latest news with #PhilippineDailyInquirer
The Star
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Marcos postpones rehab of Manila's major circle road for a month
MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday (June 1) announced the postponement of the rehabilitation of the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), Manila's main thoroughfare, for a month. This was confirmed by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon during the launch of the Pamilya Pasa promo. 'He said 'Go back to the drawing board' because he has listened to the concerns of the residents of Metro Manila,' Dizon told reporters. 'And he has also listened to experts who have informed him that there are more effective ways and new technologies that we can do faster,' Dizon added. The project, or what the government deemed as Edsa rebuild, was originally set to start mid-June. However, Dizon said that the president instructed them to revamp their plan within a month. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Philippines' Bohol town mayor suspends water activities after two Koreans drowned
- Photo: file TAGBILARAN CITY, (Philippines): The municipality of Baclayon in Bohol province has suspended all water-related activities on Pamilacan Island after two South Koreans drowned while swimming on Wednesday (May 28). Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy has issued Executive Order No. 57, suspending all water-related activities pending an investigation into the incident. 'There is a need for a temporary halt or stoppage of all water activities in the Pamilacan Island to ascertain that a similar incident will not happen again,' he said. South Koreans Kwon Sung Il, 77, and Choi Duk Sun, 73, both residents of Seoul, drowned while swimming near Pamilacan Island. The island, located about 45 minutes from Baclayon town proper, is a popular destination for dolphin and whale watching. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Philippines to US: Deport our citizens to Manila, not El Salvador
WASHINGTON: The United States has a right to deport any Filipino illegal immigrants, but the Philippine government will 'definitely not' allow them to be brought to El Salvador or any third country. Jose Manuel Romualdez (pic), Philippine ambassador to the US, made this clear Tuesday (May 27) when asked of the matter. This came after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele agreed to house in its mega prison hundreds of migrants expelled by the US government. While most of them are from Venezuela, Bukele previously offered to detain in their prisons US-deported immigrants from those countries that do not take their citizens back. 'I think it's something that the Philippines, we Filipinos, will never allow something like that to happen to us,' Romualdez said of the El Salvador scenario in an interview with reporters at the Philippine Embassy here, adding that even dual citizens are covered by this. 'It's just not in our DNA to allow that to happen,' he noted, saying illegal Filipinos who committed crimes should answer to the local laws. 'We will accept any Filipino, no matter what their status is.' With the Trump administration saying it's exploring other third countries apart from El Salvador to house expelled migrants rejected by their own country, Romualdez said that Manila quickly informed Washington that it will take care of its own. Romualdez said: 'In fact, when there was talk about third countries, we immediately communicated our desire with the United States government that if there's any Filipino that needs to be deported, we would like to be informed and we would be pleased to work with them in having them deported to the Philippines.' According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are around two million Filipinos here, of whom there could be as much as 300,000 staying illegally. Romualdez, however, believes that the number of Filipino illegals is 'probably much less than that.' 'Filipinos will always, most Filipinos, that is, will always, especially those that have been here for many years, will find a way to be able to stay here,' he said. 'And I think, more than ever now, this is a clear sign that, you know, the best way to always have a good night's sleep is to always follow the legal path in anything that you do,' he went on. 'The old Filipino style of palusutan (looking for workarounds) and everything like that … that's the worst thing you can do because you think you can get away with something today, but you can't get away with it forever.' - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Filipino 'Anak' singer Freddie Aguilar died of multiple organ failure
Freddie Aguilar (pic) died of multiple organ failure at the Philippine Heart Center, according to his ex-partner, Josephine Quiepo. The cause of Aguilar's death was announced on the May 27 episode of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda with the mainstay host citing Quiepo. "According to Josie, Ka Freddie died of multiple organ failure at the Philippine Heart Center last night. On May 20, Ka Freddie asked for prayers on his Facebook page, but he didn't detail his condition," said Abunda. Aguilar's death was earlier confirmed by lawyer George Briones of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) on Tuesday. The singer, who died at 72 years old, previously served as the national executive vice president of the political party. Aguilar's final partner, Jovie Albao, penned a farewell message to the singer following his death. She took to her Facebook account to share a photo of her and Aguilar engaged in an embrace as she promised to lead a good life so they can reunite in heaven. 'I will live a good life so I can meet you in Jannah (Heaven). Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return). This is not goodbye, just farewell for now. Mahal na mahal kita, hanggang sa muli bhabe (I love you so much. Until we meet again, babe). It was a good fight, because we are fighting together,' she wrote. The remains of the singer were buried less than 24 hours after following the Islamic burial rites. In 2013, when he was 60, Aguilar converted to Islam so he could marry Albao, who was then 16 years old. Their relationship drew criticism and concern especially from the youth sector. Known for his songs Anak and Bayan Ko, Aguilar established his identity as a folk singer-songwriter by blending elements of Manila sound, folk, and rock in his music. He is also known for letting his long locks loose, which are often held in place by a fedora hat, as well as his clear sunglasses during performances. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Ex-Philippine rep Arnolfo Teves rearrested in Timor-Leste; son cries ‘kidnap'
MANILA: Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep Arnolfo Teves Jr was arrested Tuesday (May 27) evening at his house in Dili, Timor-Leste. His son Axl Teves confirmed in a social media post, saying: 'I am making this video to inform everyone that my father, Arnie Teves, has been kidnapped and abused.' Arnolfo Teves has been charged with the 2023 murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in what is now known as the Pamplona Massacre. A 10-second video was posted by his son on Facebook showing the elder Teves being forcibly removed from his house by immigration officers. A video was posted by Axl Teves, son of former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, on Facebook showing the elder Teves being forcibly removed from his house in Dili, Timor-Leste by immigration officers on Tuesday (May 27) evening. The former congressman has long denied the charges. He refused to return to the Philippines, saying he is a subject of political persecution. A 10-second video was posted by his son on Facebook showing immigration officers forcibly removing his father, Arnolfo, from his house in Dili, Timor-Leste. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that it cannot confirm anything as the Timor-Leste government has not yet contacted them. 'We await their action. Until we receive official communication from the Timor-Leste government, we cannot confirm anything,' DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV said. Clavano also noted that it is not yet clear to them if the arrest was because Teves is an undocumented foreigner, or if it has a connection to his passport cancellation, or because of the Philippine government's extradition request. But he said the Philippine government was 'ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue.' - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
