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Hong Kong court bans protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s appeal court on Wednesday banned “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest song that emerged during the city’s massive democracy demonstrations in 2019. Penned anonymously, its lyrics include the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”, and the song has been all but illegal to sing or play it since authorities crushed the protests and Beijing imposed a national security law quelling dissent in 2020. Wednesday’s...

2024-05-08T08:22:25Z

Ask Duterte to ‘gentleman’s agreement’ probe? Best to get info from horse’s mouth, says Risa

For Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, it would be best to hear from Rodrigo Duterte himself about the supposed "gentleman's agreement" allegedly brokered by the former president with China. The lawmaker, who has sought a Senate inquiry into the matter, was asked in a press conference if the former president should be invited as a resource person in the hearing. "Hindi ko naman masabing gusto ko silang makita, pero ang trabaho po ng...

2024-05-08T11:04:48Z

Hontiveros urges release of Ayungin ‘new model’ pact evidence

MANILA, Philippines – The “evidence” allegedly proving that a Philippine army official reached an agreement with China regarding a “new model” on Ayungin Shoal should be made available to the government, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. “Kung meron talaga silang recording at kung meron talaga silang transcript, they should at the least make it available to the government — to the Executive, dahil seryosong claim na naman nila yan ng...

2024-05-08T06:21:59Z

Bataan lotto player wins P51.9 million jackpot

MANILA, Philippines — A lotto player in Bataan won the jackpot in the Super Lotto 6/49 drawn on Tuesday night. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said the bettor guessed the winning numbers 40-18-07-06-24-27, which had a total jackpot of P51,964,353.60. The ticket was bought from a lotto outlet in Balanga. Fifteen other lotto players won P50,000 each for hitting five of the winning numbers. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or...

2024-05-08T16:35:25Z

Man wanted for 72 child abuse, sex raps falls

MANILA, Philippines — The third most wanted fugitive in Quezon City, who is facing at least 72 child abuse and sex-related offenses, was arrested by police on Tuesday. Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Delfin Dolatre was arrested in Barangay Del Monte at around 2:30 p.m. Dolatre was collared based on a warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,...

2024-05-08T16:35:26Z

China embassy’s ‘barking’ violates wiretapping law if claims true — Teodoro

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said he does not want to dignify China’s “barking” about the purported “new model” on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal situation. However, if the Chinese embassy’s claim of holding audio evidence of the “new model” is true, Teodoro said its officials violated the country’s wiretapping law. The Republic Act 4200 prohibits recording any private conversation without the...

2024-05-08T12:52:52Z

Filipinos want military action to resolve sea row

(UPDATE) SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos favor military action and diplomacy in resolving the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, an OCTA Research survey said. Results of the first quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 11–14, 2024 showed that 73 percent of respondents wanted the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand naval patrols and troop presence in the disputed waters. Seventy-two percent said they wanted the dispute...

2024-05-08T16:32:12Z

SC: Red-tagging threat to life, liberty, security

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has declared that red-tagging and guilt by association threatens a person’s constitutional right to life, liberty and security. In a 39-page decision, the SC noted that red-tagging has been acknowledged by international organizations as a form of harassment and intimidation. Being labeled as “red” often comes with frequent surveillance, direct harassment and, in some instances, eventual death,...

2024-05-08T16:35:22Z

DepEd to shorten next school year by 15 days

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will cut the prescribed minimum of 180 school days for the coming school year 2024-2025 by 15 days to ensure that students and teachers are not in classrooms during extreme summer heat by April and May 2025. DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220...

2024-05-08T16:35:23Z

Migrant charity defies Italy over surveillance plane restrictions

ROME (Reuters) - A German rescue charity on Wednesday launched a fresh aerial surveillance mission from Italy to track down migrant boats in difficulty in the central Mediterranean, defying restrictions by Italian authorities. The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) this week said it was banning small planes used by migrant charities from airports on the islands of Sicily, Pantelleria and

2024-05-08T16:50:23Z

48 hours waiting time? Senators seek better port access for PH Navy ships

MANILA, Philippines — Making the Philippine Navy vessels wait up to 48 hours before allowing access to the country’s seaports is “unacceptable” and “alarming” for some senators. According to Senator Robin Padilla, naval vessels need to wait four to 48 hours before being given access to ports. It also is up to the private sector, he said, to determine how long they can stay. “Ang resulta po nito: mga delays sa kanilang mga misyon dahil sa tagal...

2024-05-08T08:03:28Z

Bato: I’m no destabilizer, not persecuting Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate probe on the leak of purported documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is not part of destabilization efforts against President Marcos, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday. And despite being a party-mate of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Dela Rosa maintained that he is not in favor of calls to oust Marcos from office. In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Dela Rosa described...

2024-05-08T16:35:20Z

Truth of China's 'new model' claims must be laid bare

ON Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila presented what it claimed was a recording of a telephone conversation between an unidentified embassy official and Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, wherein the latter purportedly agreed to China's "new model" for operations to supply the Philippine outpost on Ayungin Shoal, and confirmed that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Armed...

2024-05-08T16:11:20Z

Wife of detained foreigner nabbed for alleged extortion

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested the wife of a detained Cameroon national after allegedly extorting money from a relative of another detainee in exchange for the latter's release. According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Wednesday, the suspect was caught after receiving a bag with P1 million marked money in an entrapment operation in Parañaque. Based on the report, the...

2024-05-08T17:05:50Z

Malawians who abandoned Israeli farms deported

They went to Israel as part of a deal to provide agricultural workers after the 2023 Hamas attacks.

2024-05-08T17:10:01Z

Teodoro: DFA to probe recorded phone call between Chinese diplomat, PH military official

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will take the lead in investigating the veracity of the alleged recorded conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a Filipino military general regarding the supposed agreement on a “new model” in the conduct of resupply missions for soldiers assigned at the Ayungin Shoal, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Wednesday, May 8. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/8/teodoro-dfa-to-probe-into-recorded-phone-call-between-chinese-diplomat-ph-military-official Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

2024-05-08T15:29:05Z

Quiboloy camp surrenders 5 guns

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy has surrendered five of the 19 firearms registered under his name. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Quiboloy’s representatives turned over four handguns and a long firearm. “Iba-ibang kalibre ito... Sana itong gesture na ito na pakikiisa sa batas ay tuloy-tuloy na,” Abalos said in an interview at Camp Crame. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen....

2024-05-08T16:35:23Z

China says Philippines' denial of deal in alleged phone call 'misled the international community'

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed a report that China would soon release audio of a call with a Philippine military official that Beijing claims is evidence of a secret deal between the two sides over the disputed islands in the South China Sea. The Philippines’ denial of the deal only “misled the international community, undermined its own credibility and jeopardized peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Lin said, without detailing the conversation of the alleged call. Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

2024-05-08T14:59:03Z

Philippines in position to seek 2nd arbitration, says think tank

HONOLULU, Hawaii —The Philippines has the advantage of seeking a second arbitration opposing China’s claims in the South China Sea, according to the Hawaii-based foreign policy think tank Pacific Forum. It should also rally its fellow claimant Vietnam to file a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) violation case against Beijing, “I think that the Philippines is in a position where it should reintroduce something through...

2024-05-08T19:05:49Z

Man guilty of manslaughter over cyclist's death

Ryan Willicombe was found guilty of the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock, but was cleared of murder.

2024-05-08T16:30:52Z

Sunak handing migrants a 'Tory amnesty', says Starmer as MP defects to Labour

The Government is handing migrants a "Tory amnesty", Sir Keir Starmer said as a Conservative MP defected to Labour while criticising Rishi Sunak's attempts to tackle small boats crossings.

2024-05-08T16:53:10Z

Thai pro-democracy leader jailed over royal defamation

BANGKOK — A court in Thailand on Wednesday sentenced a prominent pro-democracy activist to three years in jail for royal defamation. Critics say the government has used the strict lese-majeste laws to silence dissent, prosecuting scores under the tough legislation that protects King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family. Panupong Jadnok, 27, was among the leaders of 2020’s youth-led demonstrations, which saw tens of thousands take to the streets to...

2024-05-08T08:07:21Z

A woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend was framed, her attorneys say

BOSTON (AP) — A highly anticipated trial began in Massachusetts last week involving a woman accused of striking her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him for dead in a snowbank. John O’Keefe died in the Boston suburb of Canton on Jan. 29, 2022. The case has garnered national attention because the defense alleges that state and local law enforcement officials framed Karen Read and allowed the real killer to go free. A look...

2024-05-08T19:03:59Z

Admin allies observe Trillanes’ ouster claims now sound like evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The speculations raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on a possible destabilization plot have started to appear as corroborating evidence if the actions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s critics are considered, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Makati, 1-Rider party-list Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun may have tagged Trillanes as a...

2024-05-08T06:48:17Z

Go calls on govt to solve drug problem

SEN. Bong Go urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue the fight against illegal drugs to ensure a safer future for Filipinos."Whatever the approach or attack of the administration now, I support it as long as the important thing is to solve the problem of illegal drugs completely," said Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, during a committee hearing on Tuesday.The Senate...

2024-05-08T16:17:29Z

P60B in emergency allowances given to COVID-19 frontliners – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that his administration was able to release nearly P60 billion in health emergency allowances (HEA) to COVID-19 frontliners. In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, Marcos said the government made the move to show how it values its frontliners. READ: Frontliners in some gov’t hospitals finally get COVID-19 incentive “Alinsunod sa ating pangako, naipamahagi na ng ating...

2024-05-08T09:18:39Z

Ex-president Duterte being fed wrong info on Cha-cha, says solon

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez believes former president Rodrigo Duterte is being served with wrong information on many issues and and still insists that Charter change is about extending the term limits of officials. Suarez, in a press briefing in Makati on Wednesday, said this after being asked about Duterte’s latest tirades, where he said that the 1987 Constitution would only be...

2024-05-08T12:04:05Z

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama suspended for 6 months

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has been placed under suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman. The state’s anti-graft investigating body on Wednesday, May 8 announced that they ordered to put Rama under preventive suspension for six months. READ MORE: 4 ex-tax mappers pay of Cebu City ‘signed’ but… 4 Cebu City ex-tax mappers cry: Give us our 10 months worth of salaries Delayed salaries due to employees’ defiance – City...

2024-05-08T04:30:11Z

Expel Chinese embassy execs over phone wiretap – Gibo

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. called on the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to investigate how unnamed people in the Chinese embassy in Manila allegedly recorded a supposed phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a top Armed Forces official discussing a so-called new model agreement on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last January. He said if proven true,...

2024-05-08T16:35:23Z

Mandaluyong City adjusts LGU office hours

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Mandaluyong announced on Wednesday that it will implement a modified work schedule in all its offices. In an order released by the Mandaluyong City Public Information Office (PIO), and signed by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos, the local government unit offices will have a 7:00 am to 4:00 pm work schedule starting May 14. “All departments and offices of the City Government of Mandaluyong shall,...

2024-05-08T11:03:56Z

Russia slams British claims it was involved in London 'arson attack'

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusation that her country was involved was part of an information war against Moscow amdi Putin's on-going war in Ukraine.

2024-05-08T12:09:31Z

House panel OKs P89 billion for seniors’ universal social pension

MANILA, Philippines — A universal social pension measure has gained a foothold after a House of Representatives committee yesterday approved the budget allocation for the benefit. The proposed measure would include all senior citizens nationwide, not just indigents, in the current social pension program. Some P89 billion in the annual budget was earmarked by the House committee on appropriations. “We have been pushing for the universal social...

2024-05-08T16:35:19Z

Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike

Kenya's government has signed a deal with striking doctors, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after almost two months of industrial action that left thousands of patients struggling to find medical care. The eight weeks of industrial action threw Kenya's public hospitals into crisis, running with a skeleton crew as patients scrambled to find treatment in the absence of doctors.

2024-05-08T15:06:55Z

Putin sends assassins to eliminate Zelensky

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has announced the arrest of 2 agents accused of involvement in a Russian-coordinated plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials. The SBU has dismantled a network of Russian FSB agents who planned to assassinate the Ukrainian president, the agency said in a statement. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) arrested two colonels of the State Protection Department for their alleged...

2024-05-08T12:48:11Z

Arrests after gates damaged at drone factory protest

Seven people are detained after a van damages gates and protesters climb onto the factory roof.

2024-05-08T15:00:43Z

PFP, Lakas-CMD alliance is ‘the most powerful political force’ – Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) President and House Speaker Martin Romualdez called their political party’s new alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) “the most powerful political force” in the country. PFP — led by Romualdez’s cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— consists of a sizable number of local leaders in its party. Lakad-CMD, on the other hand, comprises one-third of the members of the House...

2024-05-08T07:33:22Z

Accused Canadian serial killer trial opens in Winnipeg

Jeremy Skibicki is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering four indigenous women in Winnipeg in 2022.

2024-05-08T15:39:43Z

US police break up Gaza protest encampment at George Washington University

Police say arrests made as US-wide crackdown continues on student-led demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

2024-05-08T14:58:36Z

Abalos denies destabilization plot vs Marcos admin

MANILA, Philippines — “Walang (No) credible threat as of now.” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. made the statement on Wednesday to dismiss reports of an alleged destabilization plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration. In a radio interview, Abalos said he was surprised to learn about the alleged destabilization move, adding that the President has the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “solid” support. READ:...

2024-05-08T06:48:35Z

Subway project equipment movement to affect 7 NCR roads on May 10-12

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic in several Metro Manila roads from May 10 to 12 will be affected by the transportation of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s (MMSP) tunnel boring machine (TBM) the vicinity of the Camp Aguinaldo Station. The Department of Transportation, in a social media post on Wednesday, said the following roads would be affected from May 10 to May 11, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and May 11 to May 12, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.): Port/...

2024-05-08T08:48:37Z

Jaja Santiago says Japanese citizenship bid still ‘in process’

MANILA, Philippines — Jaja Santiago said her Japanese citizenship remains in process and she relished her fruitful experience training as part of Japan’s national women’s volleyball pool. The 6-foot-5 middle blocker, who started her Japanese naturalization bid last year, said her citizenship is still ongoing while receiving help from Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Tats Suzara. “Actually, walang nakakaalam kung nasaan na...

2024-05-08T11:24:17Z

Chinese warship, 2 other vessels spotted off Batanes during ‘Balikatan’

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A Chinese warship and two other vessels from Beijing were spotted off Batanes during the conduct of bilateral war games between Manila and Washington. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that around 10:45 a.m. on May 1, the BRP Melchora Aquino spotted a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel of China and two other Chinese-flagged vessels in the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes, where the Balikatan Exercise was being held....

2024-05-08T03:51:36Z

Laguna solon calls for probe into local police leadership

MANILA, Philippines — San Pedro City (Laguna) 1st Dist. Rep. Ann Matibag has called for a “comprehensive Congressional inquiry” into the local police leadership in every city and municipality, particularly the San Pedro City Police Force. In a statement on Wednesday, Matibag said that she fears the “anomalous assignments and unjust actions coming from a directive given to the police force in her city.” Matibag mentioned a series of “troubling...

2024-05-08T10:03:46Z

Russia unleashes ‘massive’ barrage targeting Ukraine energy infrastructure

Ukraine continues to call for more weapons as Russia seeks to batter industry and resistance.

2024-05-08T11:02:03Z

DOJ to brief Marcos on ICC arrest options

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing a brief on the legal options available to President Marcos on the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue. DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said all options will be discussed in the briefer, including the Philippines’ possibly rejoining the ICC, “with an awareness that policy frameworks may evolve.” “The briefer will be an objective analysis of the pros...

2024-05-08T16:35:25Z

Interloper joins ‘Made in China’ mock enemy ship sinking drills

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A surprise guest joined Wednesday’s sinking exercise here where a “made in China” ship was made the target of naval missiles and airstrikes as part of Manila and Washington’s war games. However, the marine interloper appeared to have no sinister intention, according to Lt. Col. Omad Abdullah Al Assaf, the maritime strike lead planner for this year’s Balikatan. READ: US, PH begin striking ‘Made in China’ mock target ship...

2024-05-08T06:52:03Z

Marcos’ Partido Federal, Lakas-CMD forge alliance for 2025 elections

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Speaker Martin Romualdez’ Lakas-CMD political parties sign an agreement on Wednesday, May 8, formalizing an alliance for the 2025 midterm elections. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-partido-federal-pilipinas-lakas-cmd-forge-alliance-2025-midterms/

2024-05-08T16:24:42Z

Today's headlines: China's claims, massive gathering in BSP, Bianca Bustamante | The wRap | May 9, 2024

Here are today's headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the the world: - China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief - Marcos’ Partido Federal, Lakas-CMD forge alliance for 2025 elections - Finally, Supreme Court defines red-tagging as a threat - Hundreds flock to Bangko Sentral to claim ‘hidden wealth’ - Steadily improving, Bianca Bustamante earns maiden podium finish in 2024 F1 Academy https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/may-8-2024/

2024-05-08T16:54:35Z

Gov’t prepares briefer in case ICC issues warrant vs Duterte, others

MANILA CITY, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General are preparing a legal briefer so President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can weigh in on several options in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte and several others. “The Department is now preparing a legal briefer for the President, which will describe to him yung mga options na available sa...

2024-05-08T12:34:10Z

Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine’s power plants

BBC Verify has been tracking Russia's attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

2024-05-08T19:55:25Z