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Filipino Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Jake Ejercito and Jessy Mendiola call out DILG over casual class suspension announcement
Jake Ejercito and Jessy Mendiola criticized the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its casual approach to announcing class suspensions during recent heavy rains and flooding caused by the southwest monsoon. The controversy stemmed from a Facebook post by the DILG on July 22, which used informal and humorous language to announce the suspensions. The post read, 'Mga Abangers, sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ay naka idlip nang sandali. Oh eto na inaabangan ninyo,' paired with a graphic that appeared to show the message came from DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Though the style mirrors Remulla's typical social media tone, netizens and public figures found it inappropriate. Some commenters felt it trivialized a serious matter, calling the department 'out of touch' with the urgency of the situation. Jake Ejercito commented directly on the post, pointing out that humor had no place in this context. Jessy Mendiola also criticized the tone, questioning whether the post was meant to be taken lightly. As of now, the DILG has not responded to the backlash. Secretary Remulla previously confirmed that his office had been authorized to issue class suspension announcements, with Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez noting that Remulla makes such announcements on behalf of the Cabinet and the Palace.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos tells agencies to speed up aid to flood victims
President Ferdinand Marcos said he has instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the safety of the people amid the floods in Metro Manila and several other provinces, and to deliver assistance to flood victims quickly. "I gave the instructions for them to work and coordinate to ensure that all our kababayans are out of harm's way, and that the relief goods are ready to be delivered," Marcos said in Filipino in a video message posted by the Presidential Communications Office. He was referring to the Office of Civil Defense, and the Departments of Transportation, Health, Science and Technology, Social Welfare and Development, Energy, Public Works and Highways and Interior and Local Government. Marcos is currently in the United States for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. He said medical teams should also be present during the distribution of relief goods. He added there should also be an unhampered supply of water and electricity. Marcos appleaed to the public to heed the instructions of authorities as rains continue to batter Metro Manila and nearby provinces. "The government is here to provide the services needed by our people," he said. Earlier, Malacanang said it approved the recommendation of the Department of Interior and Local Government to suspend classes and government work in Metro Manila, and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Occidental Mindoro. In Memorandum Circular No. 89, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the class and work suspension in the said areas was also "Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council relative to the continuous heavy rainfall." "However, agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions despite the declaration of work suspension," Bersamin added. The rains are mostly brought by the Southwest Monsoon or habagat, as even Severe Tropical Storm Crising, which is already out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, also dampened the country this week.—LDF, GMA Intregrated News
5 days ago
- Politics
China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines
BEIJING -- China's Education Ministry issued a safety warning for Chinese students in the Philippines after what it said were a series of criminal incidents targeting them. The brief warning Friday did not identify any specific incidents but told students to increase their safety awareness should they choose to study in the Philippines. The number of Chinese students in the country was not given but enrolments have fallen to just a few hundred in recent years, according to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post. Relations between the governments of China and the Philippines are particularly tense due to disputes over maritime claims in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. China has used water cannons and other non-lethal shipboard deterrents to drive off Philippine fishing boats. Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office said on Friday that China has the right to issue such an advisory but underscored that the crime rate in the Philippines has been falling and 'safety and security in the Philippines, we can say, have been improving as far as we are concerned.' Police response to public concerns over crime has been fast. Crimes sparked by Chinese online gambling have declined or have been eradicated and many Chinese suspects have been deported by the Philippines, Castro told a daily news briefing. In February a 14-year-old Chinese student was kidnapped in Manila by a Chinese-led gang, which killed his driver and cut off the student's finger in a bid to force his parents to pay a huge ransom. The Philippine interior secretary said the student's family and the Chinese leader of the kidnappers were allegedly former operators of lucrative online gambling outfits. Politically, China has dismissed a U.N.-backed court decision in The Hague that ruled out most of China's claims in the South China Sea and has expressed resentment over close ties between the U.S. and Manila. China often disrupts cultural and economic ties to register their discontent over actions by foreign governments. In April, China issued a similar warning about the risk to Chinese students in the United States.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
China issues safety warning for its nationals studying in the Philippines
BEIJING: China's Education Ministry issued a safety warning for Chinese students in the Philippines after what it said were a series of criminal incidents targeting them. The brief warning Friday did not identify any specific incidents but told students to increase their safety awareness should they choose to study in the Philippines. The number of Chinese students in the country was not given but enrolments have fallen to just a few hundred in recent years, according to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post. Relations between the governments of China and the Philippines are particularly tense due to disputes over maritime claims in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. China has used water cannons and other non-lethal shipboard deterrents to drive off Philippine fishing boats. Undersecretary Claire Castro of the Presidential Communications Office said on Friday that China has the right to issue such an advisory but underscored that the crime rate in the Philippines has been falling and 'safety and security in the Philippines, we can say, have been improving as far as we are concerned.' Police response to public concerns over crime has been fast. Crimes sparked by Chinese online gambling have declined or have been eradicated and many Chinese suspects have been deported by the Philippines, Castro told a daily news briefing. In February a 14-year-old Chinese student was kidnapped in Manila by a Chinese-led gang, which killed his driver and cut off the student's finger in a bid to force his parents to pay a huge ransom. The Philippine interior secretary said the student's family and the Chinese leader of the kidnappers were allegedly former operators of lucrative online gambling outfits. Politically, China has dismissed a UN-backed court decision in The Hague that ruled out most of China's claims in the South China Sea and has expressed resentment over close ties between the US and Manila. China often disrupts cultural and economic ties to register their discontent over actions by foreign governments. In April, China issued a similar warning about the risk to Chinese students in the United States.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Prabowo backs away from Nusantara for Independence Day celebration
JAKARTA: The government has decided to hold this year's Independence Day celebration in Jakarta, despite President Prabowo Subianto's earlier pledge to mark the occasion in the future capital of Nusantara, raising fresh questions about the long-term commitment to his predecessor's flagship project. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chair Hasan Nasbi confirmed during a press briefing on Wednesday (July 16) that the State Secretariat had formed the organizing committee for the Aug 17 event, with the PCO also involved in the preparations. 'The Independence Day celebration will be held in Jakarta,' Hasan firmly stated. Last year, such a celebration was held simultaneously in Jakarta and Nusantara. Then-president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, who launched the capital relocation megaproject, attended the ceremony in Nusantara, alongside then–defence minister and president-elect Prabowo. At the time, when asked whether future celebrations would continue in the new capital, Prabowo responded, 'Insya Allah [God willing], it will be celebrated again here.' However, Deputy State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro explained on Thursday that the decision to keep the celebration in Jakarta was made to avoid disrupting ongoing construction in Nusantara. 'We are focusing on completing the construction first,' Juri was quoted by as saying. Still, he noted that the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority would organize a separate local celebration in the East Kalimantan city. Experts suggest Prabowo's decision to hold this year's Independence Day celebration in Jakarta reflects a shift in priorities driven by cost considerations and the administration's focus on populist programmes. 'The current government is not placing strong emphasis on Nusantara,' political analyst Adi Prayitno said on Thursday. 'Prabowo appears more focused on his own flagship initiatives, such as the free nutritious meals and village cooperatives programmes.' The reversal comes as the new government imposes sweeping budget cuts to fund these signature policies. Hosting the national celebration in Nusantara, where infrastructure is still under development, would likely incur higher logistical and operational costs. Still, Adi noted that a complete abandonment of the new capital project is unlikely, pointing out that the administration has allocated Rp 48 trillion (US$2.94 billion) for Nusantara's development until 2029. However, this figure falls well short of the Rp 79 trillion allocated during Jokowi's administration between 2022 and 2024. Public policy expert Trubus Rahardiansyah called the decision to keep the Aug 17 event in Jakarta a 'practical move', rather than a sign that Prabowo is walking away from the capital relocation project. 'Unlike Nusantara, all the necessary facilities are already in Jakarta, so holding it here will be cheaper,' Trubus said. 'That said, Nusantara will likely remain on the back burner under Prabowo's administration, at least until all of his key programmes are fully running.' But, political researcher Wasisto Raharjo Jati of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) warned that Prabowo needed to demonstrate clearer political commitment to the project. Notably, he has yet to visit Nusantara during his nine months in office. '[The public] already views Nusantara as a project too big to fail. If Prabowo continues to let the project appear sidelined, it would also reflect poorly on his administration,' Wasisto said. While the legal framework for relocating Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to Nusantara was enacted in 2021, President Prabowo has yet to issue the presidential decree required to officially move the seat of government. Technically, this formal step is expected to take place only after the government achieves its 2028 target of turning Nusantara into a fully functioning political capital, complete with legislative and judicial buildings, supporting infrastructure and the already constructed government offices. IKN Authority head Basuki Hadimuljono told lawmakers earlier this month that the agency is preparing to launch several new development projects this year, including the construction of legislative and judicial offices, supporting infrastructure and staff housing. Meanwhile, the Public Works Ministry continues work on existing projects such as toll roads, the national mosque, the vice-presidential palace and roads within the central government zone. The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry is also finalising 47 residential towers for civil servants. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
