Today's Headlines
CONVICTED Chinese drug lord Tony Co was killed while former Justice department asset Jaybee Sebastian was hurt in a stabbing incident inside the most secured Building 14 of the New Bilibid Prison Wednesday morning, authorities said. Two other convicts, Peter Co and Vicente Sy were also wounded. Justice Secretary Vitaliano…
Analysis and Commentary
Instead of brash talk and denials, why not serious policy-making?
By Yen MakabentaOBSERVER
First read With his flamboyant flair for drama, President Rodrigo Duterte caused hearts to flutter on Monday when he declared that he is about to cross a “point of no return” in the Philippines’ long relationship with the United States. It was his way of explaining a cryptic remark he…
President Duterte’s tough-talk foreign policy
By Ricardo SaludoREPUBLIC SERVICE
He was very relaxed when I visited him. In fact, he was just wearing slippers in Malacañang. I tell you, he’s very, very simple; a humble man. He’s easy to talk with, and you won’t be afraid to approach him. — Cardinal Ricardo Vidal on his August visit to President…
Today's Headlines Photos
“Enough! Arrest me!” This was Senator Leila de Lima’s challenge to President Rodrigo Duterte in another emotionally charged news conference where she addressed a plan by lawmakers to show her alleged sex video, and insinuations that she had something to do with Wednesday’s stabbing incident at the New Bilibid Prison.…
Envoy Zhao: Sun rises ‘beautifully’ on China-Philippines ties
RELATIONS between China and the Philippines are improving “beautifully” under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy said as Duterte warms to China and Russia following US criticism of his bloody war on illegal drugs. Ambassador Zhao Jianhua offered effusive praise for Duterte in a speech at the embassy reception for the…
Peso weakness a homegrown issue
EARLIER this week, the value of the peso relative to the US dollar declined to its lowest level in seven years at P48.25 to $1 in trading on the Philippine Dealing System (PDS). Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. was quick to reassure jittery investors and economic…
Govt lifts ban on OFW deployment to Libya
THE government has lifted a ban on deployment to Libya of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with valid and existing contracts for jobs there in light of improved security in the North African country. On recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) Governing Board…
10-pt economic agenda at risk from foreign policy
Private think tank Stratbase-ADR Institute (ADRi) for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday warned that the Duterte administration’s “independent” foreign policy could derail its own 10-point economic agenda. ADRi President Victor Andres Manhit said President Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign policy is alienating major economic partners and creating an “unwelcoming” environment to…
Nietes sets eyes on vacant flyweight crowns
Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is eyeing to capture either of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) or World Boxing Association (WBA) vacant flyweight titles soon. Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada (33-2 win-loss record with 24 knockouts) relinquished the WBO and WBA world flyweight titles last week after he decided to move up to…
National MILO Marathon Davao Leg moved to November 6
The National MILO Marathon Davao qualifying race will be rescheduled to November 6, 2016, because of runners’ requests for an extension of the registration. The race was originally scheduled on October 9, 2016. The decision to extend the registration period was made in the best interest of the runners, and…
Into the danger zone
We should all congratulate Donnie “Ahas” Nietes in his debut at flyweight (112 pounds) over the weekend with a resounding decision win over Mexican Edgar Sosa. But the 34-year old Sosa, whose record is now 52-10 with 30 knockouts, can hardly be considered a marquee opponent even if he was…
Ceres La Salle crushes struggling Laos in UFL
Ceres-La Salle FC routed Laos FC, 8-0, on Wednesday in the 2016 United Football League (UFL) at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Malate, Manila. Oladipo Babsola Okunaiya drew the first blood for Ceres-La Salle after converting a goal from Adrian Gallardo Valdez’s assist in the 15th minute. Stephan Markus…
UFC 20 years ago and beyond
About 20 years ago, a friend of mine who was into the martial arts training lent me a videotape of the Universal Fighting Championship (UFC) 4 that was staged in December 16, 1994. At the time, the Internet was virtually non-existent (at least in the Philippines) and very few households…
Perlas shines in SEABA Women’s Championship
Perlas Pilipinas moved up to 3-0 in the SEABA Women’s Championship after yet another blowout win, this time against Vietnam, 134-56, at the Bukit Sendirit Stadium in Malacca on Thursday night. Perlas limited Vietnam to only eight points in the first quarter before dropping 41 in the second quarter en…
2 more Sayyaf men slain, 4 wounded in Sulu clashes
Two more members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed and three others were wounded in renewed clashes with government troops in Sulu on Wednesday. A soldier was also wounded in the encounter. The slain Abu Sayyaf fighters were reportedly followers of Alhabsy Misaya, one of the group’s…
In Bali’s deaf village of Bengkala, silence is golden
BENGKALA, Indonesia: Balinese women dressed in gold bodices danced to rhythmic drumming while waving fans as men in purple outfits sat cross legged around them, jiggling their arms and chanting. It appeared to be just another show on the Indonesian resort island, known for its ancient culture and rituals, but…
Diamonds are forever
A diamond is deemed to play an important part in and celebrating love, what with its interminable beauty signifying forever. Prized and pricey, however, not everyone could really afford this delicate stone to express love—that is until gemmologists learned to culture diamonds in a laboratory, bringing the cost of this…
No special someone for Pia Wurtzbach as she turns 27
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach took a little time off from her queenly duties in New York City to celebrate her birthday with family and friends here in the Philippines. Wurtzbach returned to Manila on September 24 and was feted in several gatherings for her 27th birthday. The first was…
Audi PH unveils all-new A4
The latest premium executive sedan from Ingolstadt is now here The all-new Audi A4 has finally arrived in the country with PGA Cars, the official distributor of Audi cars in the Philippines, officially unveiling the new-generation premium executive sedan last week. The all-new A4, now with the B9 platform, is…
Diamonds are forever
A diamond is deemed to play an important part in and celebrating love, what with its interminable beauty signifying forever. Prized and pricey, however, not everyone could really afford this delicate stone to express love—that is until gemmologists learned to culture diamonds in a laboratory, bringing the cost of this…
Daphne Oseña-Paez on making tough and loving choices in life
Since she made her mark on Philippine television in the 1990s as a news reporter for ABS-CBN, eventually finding her niche as television host-cum-producer for a string of successful lifestyle programs, Daphne Oseña-Paez has established herself as a woman of substance, grace and style in the public eye. Away from…
