I have failed as a coach – Baldwin
Metro Manila, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin voiced remorse over the death of his two players. “I feel I’ve failed” he said in his first public statement on the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili during a team training boot camp in Dipaculao, Aurora. In a video posted on social media, Baldwin acknowledged the immense grief. “As a coach, we are entrusted with the growth of our basketball players, the development of these young men into future professionals. But mostly, as a coach, I’m entrusted by you, the parents, and the families, with first and foremost, their well-being. And in this, I feel I’ve failed,” said Baldwin “And I’m sorry. To the depth of my being, I’m sorry,” he added. Baldwin said that while the Ateneo community mourns the athletes, he said he recognized that the pain of the families was far…
Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger
Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Washington, U.S. – Hopes grew on Friday for peace between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, even as Tehran said it had not made a final decision on a pact. The deal, if confirmed, would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the three-month-old war, which has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher after Iran all but closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday. “The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” he said, adding that Vice President JD Vance would attend the deal signing. Asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the deal, Trump said, “I understand…
Marcos to Filipinos: Keep on loving, choosing, fighting for the country
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to remain steadfast in their love for the country despite the challenges, and said that nation-building requires citizens to continue choosing the common good over personal interests and divisions. Speaking during the 128th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at Rizal Park in Manila on Friday, June 12, Marcos said the sacrifices of heroes should inspire the people to confront challenges with the same sense of unity and purpose. “Sa bawat Pilipino, ito ang aking panawagan: Huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin, at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas,” Marcos said. [Translation: To every Filipino, this is my call: let us not get tired of loving, choosing, and fighting for the Philippines.] The president said the lessons of the past extend beyond commemorating the struggle for independence and should guide the people in addressing challenges, including corruption, poverty, division, global uncertainties,…
Philippine defence chief vows to press on against China’s ‘wickedness’ after sanctions
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines defence chief said on Friday he would continue to do his duty in the face of China’s “wickedness”, a day after he was sanctioned by Beijing for what it described as repeated “erroneous remarks”. Ties between China and U.S. ally the Philippines have soured in the past few years, with frequent spats as Manila, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, pushes back at what it sees as aggression by Beijing. China has accused the Philippines of repeated encroachment in its waters in the disputed South China Sea. “That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in a statement on Friday. “I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas,” Teodoro added. China’s foreign ministry announced sanctions on Thursday against Teodoro and his…
No plan to overthrow gov’t – Duterte
Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday, June 12, she has no intention to “overthrow the administration,” while vowing to uphold the Constitution as a “constitutional successor.” Duterte threw shade, however, on her former ally before a political falling out. “Wala sa aking mga kamay ang pagsasagawa ng extra constitutional means to overthrow the current administration. At hindi ko din gusto ‘yun. Hindi ko gusto agawin ‘yung posisyon ni Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said, when asked about unverified calls from retired military officers and some groups to lead a revolution. “Gusto ko makita ng taong bayan hanggang sa dulo kung gaano ka walang hiya si BBM,” she added. [Translation: Carrying out extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration is not in my hands. And I don’t want that either. I don’t want to seize Bongbong Marcos’s position. I want the people to see all the way to…
