How safe is free public Wi-Fi?

President Rodrigo Duterte recently enacted a law providing free internet access in public places nationwide.

The law, which requires a mandated minimum internet speed per user of two megabits per second (2 Mbps) is expected to get more Filipinos online. However, logging in to a free Wi-Fi access may carry security risks.

Cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab has identified free Wi-Fi as one of the biggest security risks for computer and mobile internet users.

A 2016 survey of the firm revealed that 71 percent of respondents said they use unsecured public Wi-Fi in bars and fastfood restaurants.

Meanwhile, 15 percent use free public Wi-Fi for bank transactions and online payments.

Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) Asst. Sec. Allan Cabanlong admitted that although there are risks in using free public Wi-Fi services, the government ensured that its project is safe for public use.

"We made sure that the free Wi-Fi of the DICT is only 100 mbps... For the hacker to use it, it may be questionable because 100 mbps is not enough to hack someone," he said.

Cabanlong advised the public to be wary of the public Wi-Fi providers by checking the names and spellings.

-ANC Future Perfect, August 09, 2017

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Duterte calls North Korea's Kim a 'fool' over nuclear ambitions

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday described North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a "fool" and a "son of a bitch," just days before Manila hosts an international meeting certain to address Pyongyang's long-range missile tests.

Duterte held nothing back in rebuking Kim for "playing with dangerous toys," setting the stage for next week's rare get-together, to be attended by foreign ministers of all the countries involved in the standoff on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea is determined to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States and officials in Washington said Saturday's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile showed it may be able to reach most of the country.

"This Kim Jong Un, a fool ... he is playing with dangerous toys, that fool," Duterte told tax officials in a speech.

"That chubby face that looks kind. That son of a bitch. If he commits a mistake, the Far East will become an arid land. It must be stopped, this nuclear war.

"A limited confrontation and it blows up here, I will tell you, the fallout can deplete the soil, the resources and I don't know what will happen to us."

This year, Duterte is chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and on Monday his foreign minister will host the ASEAN Regional Forum, which brings together 27 countries that include Australia, China, India, Japan, Russia, North and South Korea and the United States.

It was not the first time Duterte has criticiZed Kim over his nuclear ambitions. In April he questioned his sanity and urged the United States to show restraint and not be baited by a man who "wants to end the world."

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is due to attend the Manila meeting, on Tuesday said he wanted dialogue with North Korea at some point, stressing it was not the enemy and the United States did not seek to topple the regime. (Reporting by Martin Petty and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Presidential seal upside down during Duterte's Davao speech

MANILA– President Rodrigo Duterte was his usual fiery self when he delivered a speech Friday in his home city of Davao, but something went wrong.

Video of the speech aired live on state-run PTV-4 and the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s Facebook page showed the President giving his speech with the presidential seal on his rostrum upside down.

The gaffe occurred during the 11th Ambassador’s Tour Philippine Reception at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

For those who followed the broadcast, the error was observed until around the third minute of the live video, when the shot zoomed in on the President, cropping the seal out of the frame.

The circular presidential seal, adopted during the time of President Manuel Roxas, should be placed with the text “Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas” positioned at the upper portion and the three stars at the bottom of the rim.


According to historian Manuel L. Quezon III, the presidential seal is composed of the coat of arms of the President of the Philippines, surrounded by the legend “Seal of the President of the Philippines” (“Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas”).

"The blue circle is the shield; on the shield is a red triangle (representing liberty, equality, and fraternity, the ideals of the French and Philippine revolutions and our republic), on which is a sea lion and three stars," he said on his blog.

Only the President uses the rostrum with the Presidential seal at any event.

Duterte’s speech lasted for about an hour, in which he again tackled his war on drugs, corruption, and the ongoing siege in Marawi City.

In his speech, Duterte again stressed that it is not a crime to threaten to kill drug suspects.

“Find me a law - wherever you come from - point out to me a law in your country and in my country, which says you cannot threaten a criminal from destroying your country,” said Duterte, a former prosecutor.

“Is there a law which says you cannot do it? Is there a law which says that you cannot blurt such statements as, ‘Do not bring our children to perdition because you’ll not only lose your funds, you’ll lose your life'?" he said.

Duterte had made similar statements before, but he raised the matter again after the country’s top graft-buster, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, issued her sharpest criticism yet of the President's tough rhetoric.

The President, however, did not make a direct reference to Morales, whose nephew Mans Carpio is married to Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

    How Ombudsman is related to Duterte

In an interview with Japanese public network NHK, Morales said Duterte seems to be “goading people to kill people.”

“That's a problem. His communications people say ‘that's hyperbole.’ You know, they try to rationalize whatever he says, so whether or not the police or whoever he addresses these words, believe him. That's a different story. The directive to kill people under any situation irrespective of the context, to me, that's not acceptable.” Morales said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

MARAWI CRISIS: 8 terrorists surrender, give valuable info

MANILA – At least 8 terrorists who were among those who attacked Marawi City have surrendered to government troops, a military official confirmed, the first time since the clashes erupted more than a week ago.

Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said Brigadier General Custodio Parcon Jr. confirmed the surrender of the 8 terrorists.

“What we did get is from the unit of General (Custodio) Parcon, there were 8 members hold up in Marawi who surrendered to his forces,” Padilla said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

According to Padilla, the terrorists “have been talked to and debriefed and have provided very, very valuable intelligence.”

The death toll in the Marawi City crisis has risen to 129, with more terrorists killed as government forces pounded on the Southern city.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, citing information from the Armed Forces, said the number of terrorists killed as of 8 p.m. of May 30 was at 89. Of these, 42 were confirmed through body count and 47 through eye witness accounts.

The number of civilian casualties remain at 19, although Padilla said there is an ongoing validation of reports of other civilian deaths.

The casualties on the government side, meanwhile, is now at 21.

Padilla also assured that no civilian died during the air strikes by the military, emphasizing that the military was only using force “commensurate” to the resistance it faces.

Padilla also issued another appeal for the remaining terrorists to surrender, saying they have no other choice if they want to live.

“They are trapped. They are contained. They are in areas that they will never come out alive unless they surrender. And that’s why we are asking them and we are appealing to these armed men to come to their senses, lay down their weapons and surrender,” Padilla said.

 “In this manner, we will be able to reduce the increasing cost of innocent lives as well as damage to property and at the same time further lessens the number of numerous crimes they have been committed,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week placed Mindanao under martial law after government troops clashed with the Maute group and its cohorts in Marawi City.

The clashes erupted as state forces were trying to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, considered one of the most wanted terrorists by the US. According to Padilla, Hapilon could still be in Marawi City.

Security experts say otherwise, saying that the government failed to detect terrorists' movement.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

ASEAN leaders group photo

President Duterte leads other heads of state in a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Saturday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Duterte, Widodo to improve sea linkages, agri cooperation

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte and his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo will on Friday commit to improve sea linkages and agriculture cooperation, Malacanang said.

The two leaders are expected to issue a joint declaration on the establishment of a roll-on roll-off network from Davao and General Santos in the southern Philippines to Bitung in the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the Palace said in a statement.

Widodo is in the Philippines for a state visit. He will also attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

Manila and Jakarta are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation.

During their bilateral meeting later Friday, Duterte and Widodo are expected to follow up on their discussions during the Filipino leader's visit to Indonesia last September.

These include security concerns in the Sulu-Sulawesi seas, the war onillegal drugs, maritime cooperation, enhancing economic ties, and intensifying people-to-people exchanges.

“They are expected to continue discussions on these topics and exchange views on new areas of cooperation,” Malacanang said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

EU summons Philippine envoy to explain 'unacceptable' Duterte comments

The European Union summoned and asked a Philippine envoy to explain the "unacceptable" comments of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had said he would be happy to hang foreign officials who oppose his anti-drug and pro-death penalty campaigns.

Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson of the European Union External Action (EUEA), the international bloc's diplomatic service arm, said they have asked Chargé d'Affaires to Belgium Alan Deniega for a meeting.

"This afternoon, the European External Action Service asked the Chargé d'Affaires of the Philippines, Mr Alan Deniega, to come to the EEAS this afternoon for a meeting with Deputy Secretary General, Jean-Christophe Belliard, as we wanted to receive an explanation for the recent, unacceptable comments of President Duterte," she said in an email.

This comes after Duterte's expletive-laden tirade against the EU in a press conference following his official visits to Malaysia and Thailand.

Citing data from the First and Second World War, Duterte said Western countries killed their own countrymen.

"O sinong nagpatayan? Eh ‘di kayo. Huwag mong sabihin ‘yung konsyensiya noon ng mga lolo ninyo mas magaling kayo ngayon. Tapos pakialaman lahat ng, lahat ng ASEAN," he said.

(Who were killing each other? It's you. Do not say that you are better than the conscience of your ancestors. You are also meddling in the affairs of the ASEAN.)

He also claimed that leaders from Malaysia and Indonesia, two Southeast Asian countries which has death penalty, were being pressured by the EU leaders but do not want to speak out.

"Eh ‘di ako na ang magsabi sa inyo, puro kayo u***. Sino bang gustong pumatay especially your countrymen?," he said.

"I will just happy to hang you...If I have the preference, I’ll hang all of you...You are putting us down. You are exerting pressure in every country na may death penalty," he added.


EU earlier lamented human rights situation in the Philippines, alarmed by the high number of casualties in Duterte's drug war.

The EU also called on the Philippines not to reimpose the death penalty.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

10,000 march to protest Marcos' divisive burial

MANILA - Thousands of Filipinos demonstrated on Friday against last week's burial of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a heroes' cemetery, showing disdain for the veneration afforded to a strongman accused of widespread plunder and brutality.

Those persecuted during martial law under Marcos joined students and activists in marches in Manila, in what was a subdued show of anger at a burial with military honors that was kept under wraps until just a few hours beforehand.

Marcos ruled the Philippines for 20 years, imposing martial law in 1972 and governing by decree in what was one of the darkest chapters of the country's history.

President Rodrigo Duterte had called for the burial, 27 years after Marcos's death, arguing that as a former military man and head of state, he met the criteria for a place in the heroes' cemetery.

The family remains a highly influential political force and has relentlessly pushed for the burial of Marcos in what critics say is an attempt to clear his name.

Judges on the Supreme Court on Nov. 8 ruled 9-5 in favor of throwing out petitions against the burial.

At the peak, about 10,000 rallied in the capital's Rizal Park on Friday, many under umbrellas following an afternoon of rain. They held banners and placards saying "Marcos no hero" and "You can't bury the truth".


Duterte was not in Manila on Friday. He said though he did not share the sentiment of the protesters, but would not try to stop them.

"I may disagree, but I will defend their rights," he said.

Tens of thousands of suspected communist rebels and political foes were killed before Marcos's 1986 ouster in a "people's power" revolt. He died in exile in Hawaii three years later.

In 1986, a commission was created to recover the Marcos family's wealth, which was estimated at $10 billion worth of property, cash, stocks, jewelry and pieces of art. It has, so far, recovered about half.

The body of Marcos was until last week kept in a mausoleum in his home province. Successive governments blocked the burial because they were either led by opponents of Marcos or had bowed to public pressure.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Late dictator Marcos buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA - The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was buried hurriedly at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) on Friday, as the family embarked on a political revival while thousands who suffered under his two-decade-long rule still cry for justice.

Former first lady Imelda Marcos, wearing black terno, clutched a rosary, as soldiers carrying his wooden casket marched slowly to his grave, a video released by the family showed. The ceremonies were closed to the public.

The late dictator's children all wore white. His only living sibling, Fortuna Marcos-Barba watched the burial from her wheelchair, according to footage from the Facebook page of his eldest daughter, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos.



The Supreme Court (SC) on November 8 rejected a petition by human rights victims to stop the transfer of Marcos' remains to the same resting place of former presidents, national artists, and heroes of war.

President Rodrigo Duterte, an ally of the Marcoses, allowed the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which was the late strongman's last wish, according to his family.

Marcos' remains were transferred by helicopter from Ilocos Norte province, where it had been kept since it was brought back to the country in 1993. He died while on exile in Hawaii in 1989, three years after he was ousted by a military-backed popular revolt.

“We should not be surprised because that’s how Marcos lived, in defiance of the law, illegally and that’s how he will be buried, again in defiance of the law and with his body being snuck in the Libingan ng mga Bayani surrounded by military and police guards,” said human rights lawyer Barry Gutierrez.

Although there is a 15-day period following the issuance of the SC decision for a motion for reconsideration to be filed, this does not prevent the Marcos family from pursuing the burial at heroes' cemetery.

"Even if there is a 15 day period, there was no order restraining the act," SC spokesman Theodore Te added.

The country marked the 30th anniversary of Marcos' ouster this year, with 75,000 victims still awaiting reparation.

The Marcoses allegedly plundered $10 billion from state coffers during their reign and only $4 billion in cash and assets have been recovered by an anti-graft body formed by his successor, the late president Corazon Aquino.

The late dictator's only son and namesake, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., narrowly lost the vice-presidential race this year to Leni Robredo, an ally of the family's political nemesis and Duterte's immediate predecessor, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

His widow, former first lady Imelda Marcos is a congresswoman in Ilocos Norte while his eldest daughter, Imee, is the provincial governor.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Some BPO workers worried over Duterte's 'separation' comment

MANILA - Some business process outsourcing (BPO) employees are worried of losing their jobs following President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement of his "separation" from the United States.

"Medyo may pangamba na baka ma-apektuhan ang trabaho namin, kasi siyempre if in case mag-pull out ang mga call centers dito," said call center employee Rachelle Ann Fuentes.

("We're worried that our jobs may be affected in case call centers pull out from the Philippines.")

Around 80 to 85 percent of BPO firms in the Philippines are US-based companies.

Some foreign investors may already have doubts in investing in the Philippines, but this doesn't mean that the country's call center industry will crash, a financial analyst said.

"A lot of these call centers cater to the American market...For the meantime, I think we are probably going to see the BPO industry stay with us for some time," said Smith Chua, a chief investment officer and SVP at BPI.

The Philippines' BPO sector is a $25 billion a year industry with about 1.2 million workers.

Malacañang assured the industry that the President's "separation" statement does not mean severing ties with the US after the IT-BPO Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) "formally reached out to the Office of the President to secure an audience with him and directly discuss our industry’s asks from government."

The President's rhetoric has caused some "jitters" among the outsourcing industry's clients, IBPAP Executive Director Genny Inocencio-Marcial said earlier. -- Report from Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Clinton: Obama made right decision on Duterte

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said U.S. President Barack Obama made the right decision to cancel his meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

"With respect to the Philippines, President Obama made exactly the right choice," Clinton told reporters on her campaign plane. "When you meet with anyone, ally or adversary, you come in with a list of issues that are important to be raised. You determine what they are."

Expletive-laden comments made by Duterte regarding the U.S. and Obama before he left for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Monday have resulted in Washington calling off a bilateral meeting between the two nations.

Duterte threatened to curse at Obama if the American leader voices concern over the Philippines' brutal campaign against drugs and crime. Duterte later sought to defuse the row, voicing regret.

The two had been scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos.


 Clinton said Obama wanted to raise the issue of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines under the Duterte administration's ongoing war on illegal drugs.

"On the other side, they determine what they want to raise. And clearly the president was going to raise concerns that are global about what is going on in the Philippines with extrajudicial killings of alleged drug dealers, that is now somewhere up near 2,000 killings," she said.

"When the president of the Philippines insulted our president, it was appropriate and a very low key way to say: sorry, no meeting. And since then there's been an apology and an expression of regret, which is appropriate," Clinton added.

'Words matter'

Obama's planned meeting with his Philippine counterpart was canceled because the tone of Duterte's rhetoric raised questions about the chances for a productive talks, the U.S. State Department also said on Tuesday.

"Words matter, and we want to see an atmosphere that is cordial and open to strong cooperation," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

Clinton's Republican rival, Donald Trump, on the other hand took to Twitter to take potshots at Obama over Duterte's expletive and China's treatment of the current U.S. president.

"China wouldn't provide a red carpet stairway from Air Force One and then Philippines President calls Obama 'the son of a whore.' Terrible!' Trump said.

    China wouldn't provide a red carpet stairway from Air Force One and then Philippines President calls Obama "the son of a whore." Terrible!

 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2016

Duterte's regret

Duterte has issued a statement saying he hopes to resolve his spat with Washington, a long-time ally of the Philippines.

"While the immediate cause was my strong comments to certain press questions that elicited concern and distress, we also regret that it came across as a personal on the US President," he said in a statement read by Presidential spokesperson Ernest Abella.

"Our primary intention is to chart an independent foreign policy while promoting closer ties with all nations, especially the US with which we have a had long standing partnership," he said. "We look forward to ironing out differences arising out of national priorities and perceptions, and working in mutually responsible ways for both countries."

Duterte clarified that he gave his consent to the cancellation of what would have been his first meeting with the US leader.

"The meeting between the United States and the Philippines has been mutually agreed upon to be moved to a later date," he said.

But Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza admitted that the meeting has yet to be rescheduled.

"It's being moved to a later date, so let's wait when that date will be announced," he said.

The perceived strain on the US-Philippine relations comes as Manila seeks to reinforce a tribunal ruling that invalidated the historic claims of China to the resource-rich South China Sea. - with reports from Reuters

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

At least 10 killed, dozens hurt in Davao City blast

MANILA- A huge explosion rocked a busy night market Friday evening in Davao City, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, killing at least 10 people and injuring up to 30 others, local police and officials said.

A statement from Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, released through the local government's official Facebook page, confirmed the number of deaths.

The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.

"Right now, we cannot yet give definite answer to as to who is behind this as we are also trying to determine what really exploded," said Paolo, a son of President Rodrigo Duterte. "It's a sad day for Davao and for the Philippines."

The explosion happened at around 10 p.m., a time when many people flock the popular night market, according to Davao City police Insp. Katherine Dela Rey in an interview with DZMM.

Dela Rey added that at least 30 people were rushed to a nearby hospital following the explosion, which took place at the massage area of the night market along Roxas Avenue.

Online images show emergency teams rushing people out of the night market in wheelchairs and stretchers. Mre than 20 people were rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

 SWAT in Davao: pic.twitter.com/9PLW98Fkz0

-Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ (@jboygonzalessj) September 2, 2016

More photos: now in front of Ateneo de Davao Roxas Ave gate is this scene: pic.twitter.com/nasMvoJrRI

— Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ (@jboygonzalessj) September 2, 2016

Police Regional Office 11 Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, meanwhile, has called for calm and asked people to refrain from "creating/passing misleading or unverified reports to avoid confusion and panic."

"The PNP is assuring the public that the situation is being handled carefully. A thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the explosion and checkpoints/chokepoints were already established at all exit points in the city. We call on all the people to be vigilant at all times and report to the police any suspicious packages or persons," said Gaerlan.

Ateneo De Davao University, which is near the night market, has issued a lockdown and warned its students to avoid the area moments after the incident.

"To all the students and bystanders in the Roxas night market, please stay away from the area and give way to the ambulances and police," an announcement posted on the university's official Twitter account read. with reports from Paul Palacio, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa's cars

ALBUERA, Leyte – Vehicles, including brand new luxury cars allegedly owned by suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, have been surrendered to police in Albuera, Leyte.

According to Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Albuera police chief, the vehicles were voluntarily turned over by individuals who were supposedly keeping them for Espinosa.

There are already 15 vehicles parked near the police station, and Espenido said they expect more will arrive as other individuals have called their office to facilitate the turnover of the younger Espinosa’s vehicles in their possession.

Kerwin, the son of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, would allegedly buy vehicles then place them under the care of his men who have garage in their homes.

SCARED RESIDENTS

Residents of Albuera said some things have changed since their town’s first family was named in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of alleged “narco-politicos.”

Some vendors in the Albuera market said business has not been as vibrant in recent times. "Natatakot kami," said Shirley Abad, a vendor of dried fish in the market.

Families of individuals who admitted to authorities that they worked for Kerwin and his alleged drug business also confessed to fearing for their lives, despite being placed under police protection, as they were told that unidentified men with harmful intentions were supposedly roaming their area.

"Lagi akong palingon-lingon," said the wife of one witness, who refused to be named.

Police chief Espenido blamed the mayor for threats to the residents’ lives.

"Alam na kasi ng tao na sila ang tagapamatay. Threatened ang mga tao dahil sa pagbalik niya sa opisina,” he said.

However, some Albuera residents continue to stand by their mayor, as they believe that he is a good man.

"Masaya kami dahil bumalik siya rito. Ngayon binabantayan namin. Kahit magdamag, hindi namin siya pababayaan," said Mary Ann Romero.

Other residents declined to comment when approached by ABS-CBN News.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Bisaya-speaking Americans got to meet Duterte

MANILA – Back in May, a video of Bisaya-speaking Americans with President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City right after the elections made the rounds online.

Uploaded on YouTube, the clip showed five Americans in awe when they realized that Duterte was seated at the next table.

Confused as to how they should react, Sumner, Connor, Jake, Tylan and Davis decided to just come up to him and do the tradition of “pagmamano,” which is how Filipinos show respect to elders.


In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, the five Americans narrated the story behind the viral video.

“When we went to Davao to do a show last summer, we were invited to have lunch with him. We just met him and we talked with him and we told him our love for the Philippines. Grabe ang experience! We were so happy to meet him and we didn’t know na he would become the president at that time,” recalled Tylan.

Although not seen in the clip, Connor revealed they also got Duterte to dance a little bit during their encounter.

Davis, meanwhile, lauded Duterte for his generosity. “He wanted to help in any way he could. He wanted to make sure that we had a good stay in Davao, that we were safe in the Philippines. He’s very humble, very considerate of others,” he said.

Sumner, Connor, Jake, Tylan and Davis are members of the "Hey Joe Show."

They are all part of the Missionary Training Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they came to the Philippines to serve a Mormon mission.

During their two-year mission in the Philippines from 2012 to 2014, they easily adapted to the Filipino culture that they learned to speak Bisaya in six months.

The group is currently in the country for a series of shows nationwide.

They previously said they hope to make more videos and spotlight the Bisaya language and Filipino culture.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Palace: Duterte knows his limits

MANILA – President Duterte knows his limits.

So said Presidential Communications Office chief Martin Andanar after the president drew criticisms for threatening to impose martial law in the Philippines in response to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's letter airing concerns with the leader's move to name judges allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Addressing fears of a second martial law in the Philippines, Andanar said Duterte ''merely asked a rhetorical question and said it under the context that his anti-drug campaign cannot wait for the slow wheels of justice – PH style."

''The President has made use of executive powers at his disposal, knowing fully well the limits of these powers, and without undermining the constitutional separation of powers nor infringing upon the rights of citizens,'' he added.

Critics said Duterte incendiary comments against the head of a co-equal branch of government could trigger a constitutional crisis.

In her letter to Duterte a day after the judges were named, Sereno told Duterte that the judiciary was ''caught unprepared'' by his move.


Sereno stressed that the judiciary has administrative supervision over all courts, and that by being linked to the drug trade, the 7 judges were put in a vulnerable position.

To assert its jurisdiction over the judges, the SC asked the Palace on Tuesday to submit within seven days complaints for administrative proceedings against four out of seven judges in the president’s list.

The high court decided to treat Duterte's speech over the weekend as basis for complaints against these judges.

In a separate statement, Andanar sought to downplay fears of a constitutional crisis.

''The President is a member of the bar who believes in the rule of law and advocates for judicial independence. As President, he has the sworn duty to uphold and defend the Constitution. The words and action of the President all point to these,'' he said.

Duterte's bold moves in his anti-crime campaign has triggered concerns among critics that the leader is willing to put less premium to human rights and employ extralegal means in his quest to rid the country of illegal drugs.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PhilWeb shares plunge

MANILA - Shares of PhilWeb continued to plunge on Monday, days after President Rodrigo Duterte singled out its chairman Roberto Ongpin as an oligarch that must be "destroyed."

PhilWeb shares plunged another 33 percent in morning trade. Its shares dropped 37 percent on Thursday.

Luis Limlingan, head of research at Regina Capital, advised investors to stay on the sidelines for now and wait for more clarity from the President.

"It seems Mr. Duterte is against online gaming as a whole. So stay away, given the fact that PhilWeb has fallen sharply, there's still room to still bottom at this point, so wait and observe...This stock is going to be driven by news, at this point, rather than performance of the company," he told ANC's "Market Edge with Cathy Yang."

PhilWeb earlier said Ongpin resigned to "save the company." It added that e-Games is not online gaming.



It said access to these clubs is strictly controlled. It also warned that closing down the business will affect 5,000 employees, and deprive the government of over P2 billion in revenues for Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

PhilWeb shares are little traded, non-index issues. It is trading at a 20-month low.

In his first Cabinet meeting in June, Duterte asked PAGCOR to stop issuing licenses to online gaming firms.

PhilWeb said it has requested PAGCOR chairperson Andrea Domingo for a meeting to clarify the situation.

PhilWeb president Dennis Valdes said the company wishes to explain its side, noting that President Duterte "may have been misinformed."

"As a publicly listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange, our records are fully open to public scrutiny and are available for a full investigation at any time," Valdes said in a statement.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

The story behind President Duterte's Marikina-made shoes

MANILA – Did you know that the shoes President Rodrigo Duterte wore during his meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry last Wednesday was a gift from a 68-year-old shoemaker from Marikina?

According to a report from Philstar.com, the brown brogue-style boots were made by Rolando de Guzman Santos.

His daughter Rosemarie sent the shoes to Chardin, which designs barongs for the President, hoping that these will be worn during the inauguration.

“She was telling kung pwede ba raw ipadala niya ‘yung mga gawa na sapatos ng tatay niya for President Duterte,” Boni Adaza of Chardin told Philstar.com.

In a Facebook post last June, Rosemarie said she would do everything so her father could achieve his dream – that a president will wear the shoes he made.

President Duterte was not able to wear Santos’ shoes during the inauguration and even his first State of the Nation Address, with Chardin designers noting that it doesn’t match his outfit.

Early this week, however, Santos’ dream came true. In a video courtesy of PTV-4, President Duterte was seen praising his custom-made shoes from Marikina to members of his Cabinet.

“Ang Filipino-made, sa craftsmanship number one,” he said.

Marikina is known as the country’s shoe capital.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Robredo backs Duterte's housing policy

MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said that she is pleased to know that President Rodrigo Duterte's policy direction on housing ''jibes'' with her own as housing chief.

Robredo said she agrees with Duterte's policy that demolition of informal settlements can only be carried out once a relocation site has been provided.

"Masaya ako kasi klaro rin na na-lay down niya yung kaniyang paniniwala na ano to nagjajibe rin sa ating paniniwala. Unang una, walang demolisyon kung walang relokasyon at walang relokasyon kung hindi maayos yung facilities sa relokasyon," Robredo told reporters on Tuesday morning.

"Ito yung pinaka binigyan rin natin ng diin mula nung nag umpisa tayo sa consultation sa lahat ng stakeholders sa HUDCC [Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council]. Mahalaga na nanggaling mismo sa bibig ng ating pangulo at sinabi niya sa SONA kasi ito talaga yung policy direction sa housing."

Robredo said that as head of the HUDCC, she wants to give emphasis on relocating informal settlers in the city if possible, or at least near their places of livelihood.

"Marami na akong relocation sites na binisita sa labas ng Metro Manila na galing sa Metro Manila 'yung mga inilikas doon. Parang hindi naman niya nabigyan ng permanenteng solusyon 'yung housing kasi ang nangyayari, kukuha siya ng bahay sa labas, pero babalik pa rin - at least 'yung head of the family - kung saan siya nandoon, magbo-board and lodging siya," Robredo explained.

Robredo added, there is also a social cost to this as families are split apart.

"Kasi mabuti kung 'yung pagre-relocate-an natin merong available na ibang trabaho, may livelihood. Karamihan wala naman. At least 'yung mga nabisita ko, wala. So talagang dumadagdag lang nang dumadagdag 'yung housing na problema."

Robredo said, the big challenge is the lack of available land inside the city for the relocation of informal settlers. She said the government has the option to provide mid- to high-rise housing structures, but noted that the investment cannot be too expensive, as the families would not be able to afford it.

"Kapag masyadong mahal, 'yung lupa hindi nila kaya. 'Pag tumaas na 'yung height sa 5 floors, kailangan na ng elevator, kapag may elevator, dadagdag na naman 'yung cost," she explained.

The Vice President said that they are currently studying which existing models will be best to replicate in order to solve the housing problem, adding that participation of the private sector is key.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Duterte pushes lower tax rates, free WiFi

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday gave a rundown of his reform agenda which includes lowering taxes, solving traffic jams, and relaxing bank secrecy rules as he vowed economic growth that is felt by the poor.

In his first State of the Nation Address, Duterte said he hoped to leave an economy that is “much stronger” by the end of his six-year term in 2022.

“My administration will continue and maintain current macroeconomic policies and even do better,” he told lawmakers, top government officials and diplomats.

“We will achieve this through prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can help translate high growth into more and better job creation and poverty reduction,” he said.

A strong economy, Duterte said, is characterized by “solid growth, low and stable inflation, dollar reserves and robust fiscal position.”

TAXES, BANK SECRECY

Duterte said he would lower personal and corporate income taxes and shift to a “simpler, more equitable” tax system.

He did not elaborate, but his economic managers have said income tax rates could be lowered to 25 percent from as high as 32 percent.

“At the household level, there must be sufficient income for all Filipinos,” he said.

Duterte also said he would “relax” the bank secrecy law.

Last February, hackers shifted $81 million from Bangladesh’s foreign reserves to the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and then laundered in casinos, taking advantage of loopholes in the country’s banking and anti-money laundering laws.

TRANSPORT WOES

Duterte asked lawmakers for “emergency powers” to untangle crippling traffic jams in Metro Manila and listed down his plans to improve commuting in the capital city of 12 million people.

 "If you give it [emergency powers], fine; if not, we take the longer route, slowly, and tanggapin ko ‘yung pagmumura ninyo," he said.

The country loses P2.4 billion daily due to the traffic problem.

Additional powers may include doing away with public bidding for some projects and opening private subdivisions to traffic, according to his economic team.

Duterte said the transportation department would increase the number of trains on the Metro Rail Transit to 20 from the current 16 and increase train speeds to 60 kph from 40 kph.

Operating hours at the Light Rail Transit will be extended by an hour at night to 10:30 p.m. from 9:30 p.m.

The Pasig River ferry as an alternative mode of transport will be revived, he said.

General aviation will be transferred to Sangley Point to help decongest the main airport in Manila, and a railway will be constructed from the capital to Clark International Airport, an alternative gateway.

INTERNET, RED TAPE

Duterte ordered the drafting of a plan to install a national broadband infrastructure and said free wireless internet would be made available in public places.

He said he would reduce the processing time for issuing business permits and licenses "to the barest minimum," as he reiterated his order to crack down on red tape.

"In my city, it is always three days for local governments, that will bind the Office of the President down to barangay level," said the former Davao City mayor.

Motor vehicle plates should also be issued at the point of sale to prevent backlogs at the Land Transportation Office, he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

President Duterte's SONA 2016 speech

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's  FIRST STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS (SONA) 2016

Batansang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City
JULY 25, 2016