The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is bent on imposing additional penalties, based on what is provided under the law to those who fail to attend its presidential and vice presidential debates. “We referred to the Law Department and EID (Education and Information Department) and asked them to submit what other sanctions can be imposed on those who do not attend our debates especially if there is no proper reason,” Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said in a Laging Handa briefing on Monday. Garcia added that they are still discussing whether or not to make some adjustments regarding the next presidential debate.
No single election-related violence has been reported across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since the start of the local campaign period, a top police official said Monday. “Based on the reports from Cotabato City Police Office and Police Provincial Offices in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, no election-related violence has so far been reported. The region is generally peaceful,” Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM Police Regional Office (PRO) director, said in a statement. “The reports also revealed that minimum public health standards were observed, particularly the wearing of face masks,” Cabalona added. As the
Despite a violent moment at the 2022 Academy Awards where Best Actor winner Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face, it was a historical night at the Oscars on Sunday. Ariana DeBose became the first Afro-Latina and first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar, picking up the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in the Steven Spielberg remake of West Side Story. “Yikes! What is this?” said DeBose. “Now you see why Anita wants to be in America because even in this weary world we live in, dreams come true.” DeBose’s
The annual “Balikatan” exercises serve as a chance for the United States and the Philippines to reaffirm a mutual commitment to stronger ties amid various global challenges, an official of the US Embassy in Manila said on Monday. “In 2021, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of our Mutual Defense Treaty and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our country, this combined and joint exercise is an opportunity for the United States and the Philippines to reaffirm our commitment to even more robust ties and to our relationship that remains highly relevant as the world faces new and continuing challenges,”
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the continuing high trust ratings of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte are proof that he is a true leader and public servant of the Filipino people. On the sideline of SMNI’s presidential interview, Marcos said Filipinos will always be grateful for what Duterte has done for the country. “We wish him a very happy birthday and we will always be grateful for all that he has done for our country and I think that is reflected in how Filipinos now react to him,” he said when asked for a birthday message for Duterte. Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte celebrated his 77th birthday Monday, with warm greetings from the public he vowed to serve. People interviewed by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) including vendors, commuters, security guards, and construction workers expressed satisfaction with the president’s performance, saying they felt positive changes during his administration. Security guard Vicente Rosete, 48, of Tandang Sora in Quezon City, said six years of service for a hardworking president like Duterte is not enough because he has done his job well. “Sa akin mga 99 percent talagang aprub talaga siya. Napaganda niyan, kung tutuusin kulang ang six years na panunungkulan niya
