News

Metro Manila, Philippines – Survivors and their families came face to face with an official of Aleson Shipping Lines, the owner and operator of the ferry that sank off Basilan on Jan. 26, to demand accountability — which a senator said should extend to murder charges. Fatima Sweenee Sajili, daughter of one of the survivors, said they braved their trauma and traveled by sea to get to Metro Manila for the hearing of the Senate public services committee on Thursday, Feb. 12. “Direkta ko tong sasabihin sa iyo. Kailan mo kami haharapin? Kailan kayo hihingi ng tawad sa inyong mga kasalanan?” Sajili asked a representative of Aleson Shipping Lines.  [Translation: “I will say this to you directly. When will you face us? When will you apologize for your wrongdoings?] “May dinadama pang trauma ang mga survivors ngunit naglayag kami ulit upang harapin kayo ngayon sa Senado,” Sajili added.  [Translation: The…

Cavite, Philippines — The passage of a bill ending political dynasty is certain with House Speaker Bojie Dy as one of its authors, a lawmaker said on Thursday, Feb. 12. The debate has narrowed down to the most contentious issue: whether the law applies up to 4th degree, or just be limited to 2nd degree of blood relations and affinity. The timetable though is unclear as the House of Representatives is left with just one plenary session next week amid the Chinese New Year holidays. But the goal is for the committee on suffrage and electoral reforms to come up with its report for plenary review, panel chairman Zia Adiong told reporters. “The debate really boils down to the issue of whether the anti-political dynasty provision in the Constitution will translate to fourth degree. Would that be a fourth degree prohibition or would that be second degree prohibition?” the Lanao…

Metro Manila, Philippines — The youth sector pushed back on Senator Robin Padilla’s branding of them as “weak” during a Senate committee hearing. Social media posts included pictures of the lawmaker in tears and a commentary on generational struggles – in response to Padilla’s description of the youth as “iyakin” [prone to crying] and rising depression cases. On Facebook, various pages reposted photos of the senator crying during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, while quoting Padilla’s statement in Wednesday’s hearing. Riyan Portuguez, a licensed psychologist and psychometrician known online as “Your Millennial Psychologist,” reminded Padilla that the youth of his generation were afraid to open up about their struggles over a lack of understanding and were immediately branded as weak. Padilla’s Response Padilla said in a statement on Facebook that his “weak” remarks were based on data collected by…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Chinese Embassy in Manila urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take the lead in managing differences on both sides, on the back of diplomatic exchanges over strong sentiments about the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said Beijing values “candid and constructive dialogues” with the DFA and that political consultations between the two foreign ministries had resumed after a yearlong hiatus. The embassy said recent public exchanges followed criticisms from some Philippine officials and institutions, adding that its responses were meant to defend China’s national interests and dignity.  “A healthy dialogue between China and the Philippines requires constructive statements from both sides,” Ji said, urging Philippine authorities to speak with a unified voice and calling on the DFA to play a “constructive role” in managing disputes while advancing overall bilateral relations. The DFA has reiterated its position as…

The Philippines slipped to its worst ranking since its inclusion in the global Corruption Perceptions Index more than a decade ago, highlighted by corruption in flood control projects that should have been protecting a nation vulnerable to the impact of climate change.