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Metro Manila, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Domeng has slightly intensified as it moves over the Philippine Sea east of northern Luzon, the weather bureau said on Saturday, May 30.  In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Domeng was last located 875 kilometers (km) east of the region. There are no wind signals but severe gusts could be expected in these areas  over the weekend: The bureau said the storm is moving northwestward at 20 km per hour (kph) and packs maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and gustiness of up to 125 kph. PAGASA issued a weekend outlook: May 30  –  Most of Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. May 31 – Most…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he has no regrets running with Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 elections, saying it was “the right thing to do” at the time. In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Marcos said he and Duterte shared the view on what needed to be done in government under the UniTeam banner. “I  think it was or that time that was the best thing that we would do. We had the same idea  of what needed to be done in government. Maybe that’s changed,” Marcos said. “But if you look at it in the context of that period, I think that was the right thing to do,” the chief executive added.  The Marcos-Duterte tandem won in a historic landslide with 31.6 million and 32.2 million votes for the presidential and vice presidential race, respectively.  However, after several issues spanning three years into…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa – a fugitive – should not be allowed to vote in Senate proceedings unless physically present. Speaking to reporters in Japan, Marcos said Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, should not be entitled to vote online. “Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, na hinahanap ng pulis, na hinahanap ng Interpol at may arrest warrant galing sa ICC, palagay ko hindi siya dapat bumoto,” Marcos said. [Translation: Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, being sought by the police and Interpol and has an arrest warrant from the ICC, I think he should not be allowed to vote.] The president, a former senator, pointed out the practice. “So, it has been the long-standing tradition of the Senate that if you are not physically…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was “horrified” at the state of the Senate, describing the chamber as having “descended” in grappling with tensions and controversies. Speaking to reporters in Japan, Marcos expressed alarm over recent incidents, including a reported gun-related episode and a walkout by minority lawmakers. “I watched with horror that the Senate has become this,” Marcos said on Friday, May 28. The president, a former senator, said the institution has strayed from its tradition, with political disagreements turning into personal bickering. “It’s about work. It’s not about personalities. Nagbago eh. Naging personal,” he said. [Translation: It has changed. It has become personal.] Marcos contrasted the situation with his time in the Senate, where heated debates did not affect personal relationships. “After pag-upo namin, magkakape naman kami… Hindi personal,” he said. [Translation: After sessions, we would have coffee together. It was not personal.] He…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  A sibling tit for tat. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed claims by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that there were plans to suspend elections and extend terms of elected officials, calling it a “perfect example” of fake news. Speaking to reporters during his state visit to Japan, Marcos said there were no discussions within the administration on a so-called “no election” in 2028. “I don’t know. She should fire her staffer who gave her that information,” Marcos said. “The truth of the matter is we have never at any point even spoken about this anywhere with anyone at any time,” he added. Marcos called it misinformation. “That’s a perfect example,” he said, adding that false information can harm the public and those spreading it. “Fake news hurts everyone. Not only those that fake news is attacking, but also those who are purveying that fake news,” Marcos…