Politics of the Philippines

Philippine 'massacre clan' enjoys election wins

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 06:16

A clan whose chiefs are on trial for the Philippines' worst political massacre secured big wins in local elections this week, results showed Friday, deepening fears that justice may never be served. Leaders of the Ampatuan family and their gunmen are accused of massacring 58 people, including 32 journalists, in the southern province of Maguindanao more than three years ago in a bid to quash a rival's challenge to become governor.

Philippine rebels rake it in from vote extortion

Agence France-PresseApril 28, 2013 06:16

Leftist Philippine rebels are raking in millions of dollars extorting money from candidates in next month's elections and will likely use this to buy guns, a senior military official said on Sunday. Each candidate illegally pays between 50,000 and five million pesos ($1,210-121,000) to buy protection from the New People's Army (NPA), said Major-General Jose Mabanta, commander of one of the country's army divisions. "My estimate is that half of all political contenders are paying, half in my area. That is also true in other areas," he told reporters.

Aquino joins Team PNoy bets in Maguindanao

AsianetApril 12, 2013 17:36

President Benigno Aquino III and six Team PNoy senatorial bets on Friday joined the proclamation rally here of administration candidates led by Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. Aquino arrived at the Peace Center Compound in Barangay Poblacion shortly after 2 p.m.

(Nightlead) Aquino gets update on P9.4-B projects in ARMM

AsianetApril 12, 2013 12:03

President Benigno Aquino III was briefed on Friday by acting governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Mujiv Hataman on the P9.401 billion government projects in the region. Under the ARMM-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Hataman said the government was able to save P136.362 million last year due to the stringent handling of the agency’s finances -- the first ever in the 22-year history of ARMM. With the savings, he said the ARMM-DPWH was able to procure brand new heavy equipment, additional vehicles, and survey instruments.

Constitution revision to be discussed

AsianetApril 12, 2013 11:46

Bipartisan lawmakers on said Friday that they have agreed to establish a body at the National Assembly for discussions on amending the Constitution to revise the nation’s single-term, five-year presidential term of office.Six members of the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) agreed on a proposal that future presidents should serve four years in office, with a maximum of two consecutive terms, at the first meeting of the joint consultative group.

Arrested NPA leader, comrades in Negros slapped with more charges

AsianetApril 11, 2013 13:20

The Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) has filed additional charges against the New People’s Army (NPA) leader along with his wife and four companions who were recently arrested here.NOPPO filed two counts of gun ban violation against Reniel Cellon and his wife, Mary Jane Magquilat, before the Kabankalan Regional Trial Court.Similar charges were also filed against Jose Ditomal, Rodrigo Maricasa, Antonio Estaniel, and Edson Gonzales.NOPPO Director Senior Supt.

NPA stages 2 attacks in Camarines Norte town

AsianetApril 11, 2013 13:19

The New People’s Army (NPA) staged two successive attacks within the week in Labo town, Camarines Norte, which included the burning of mining equipment and shooting to death of an ex-rebel turned barangay tanod (village security). Senior Supt. Moises Pagaduan, Camarines Norte provincial police director, said over the phone Thursday that suspected NPA rebels burned down equipment worth P4 million early morning Monday in the mining town of Labo. Pagaduan said the equipment belong to Bohai Top Mining International, a mining firm owned by a Chinese national he named only as Mr.

P80-M bridge reconstruction up in Lanao del Sur

AsianetApril 11, 2013 13:19

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) is set to reconstruct soon a bridge destroyed by typhoon Sendong last year connecting the village of Barorao, Balabagan, to adjacent Malabang town, both in Lanao del Sur.The Balabagan-Malabang conduit is vital since it eases the movement of people and agricultural products in the area.DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain said rehabilitation of the bridge would entail a cost of P80-million, which includes the construction of a 64-meter bridge approach on both sides.Balabagan Mayor Sa

Aquino promises benefits to war veterans

AsianetApril 11, 2013 07:35

Acknowledging that the annual wreath-laying wasn’t enough, President Benigno Aquino III promised on Tuesday to deliver benefits to thousands of World War II veterans. Leading the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan on Mt.

AFP says 77 former NPA fighters have returned to the fold for Q1 of 2013

AsianetApril 9, 2013 14:34

A total of 77 New People's Army (NPA) fighters have returned to the fold during the first quarter of 2013, The Armed Forces of the Philippines (APF) on Tuesday reported. Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., military spokesperson, said that this is a strong indication that the insurgency movement is now losing its influence and steam. The number of NPA returnees came from various field units of the AFP.