Duterte-critic journalist convicted in Philippine libel case

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa was convicted Monday of cyber libel and faces up to six years behind bars in a case that watchdogs say marks a dangerous erosion of press freedom under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Ressa, 56, and her news site Rappler have been the target of a series of criminal charges and probes after publishing stories critical of Duterte's policies, including his drug war that has killed thousands.

The award-winning former CNN journalist was sentenced to up to six years' jail in the culmination of a case that has drawn international concern.

It was not immediately clear how long she would actually have to serve if the conviction becomes final, and Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa allowed Ressa to remain free on bail pending an appeal.

"We are going to stand up against any kind of attacks against press freedom," a defiant Ressa told journalists after the conviction in Manila.

"I began as a reporter in 1986 and I have worked in so many countries around the world, I have been shot at and threatened but never this kind of death by a thousand cuts," she said.

Monday's verdict decided a trial that stemmed from a businessman's 2017 complaint over a Rappler story five years earlier about his alleged ties to a then-judge on the nation's top court.

Ressa, who Time magazine named as a Person of the Year in 2018, did not write the article and government investigators initially dismissed the businessman's allegation.

But state prosecutors later filed charges against her and Reynaldo Santos, the former Rappler journalist who wrote it, under a controversial cyber crime statute aimed at online offences such as stalking and child pornography.

Santos was also found guilty on Monday and allowed to remain free on bail.

The law they are accused of violating took effect in September 2012, months after the article was published.

But prosecutors say Rappler's typographical correction to the story in 2014 to change "evation" to "evasion" was a substantial modification and the article was thus covered by the law.

- 'Assault on independent media' -

Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said the president backs free speech and has never filed a libel case against a journalist while in government.

"The president supports freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I hope that's clear," Roque said.

But rights groups and press advocates say the libel charge along with a series of tax cases against Rappler, and a government move to strip the news site of its licence, amount to state harassment.

"Ressa... and the Rappler team are being singled out for their critical reporting of the Duterte administration," Amnesty International said.

"With this latest assault on independent media, the human rights record of the Philippines continues its free fall."

Human Rights Watch said the case "will reverberate not just in the Philippines, but in many countries that long considered the country a robust environment for media freedom".

The Philippines has fallen in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index to 136 out of 180 nations and territories.

Ressa's verdict comes just over a month after government regulators forced off the air the nation's top broadcaster ABS-CBN, following years of threats by Duterte to shut down the network.

Both Rappler and ABS-CBN have reported extensively on Duterte's anti-drugs campaign in which police have gunned down alleged dealers and users in operations condemned by rights groups.

Some of the crackdown's highest-profile critics have wound up behind bars, including Senator Leila de Lima, who is serving three years in jail on drug charges she insists were fabricated to silence her.

In 2018, Duterte denounced Rappler as a "fake news outlet" and subsequently banned Ressa and her colleagues from his public engagements.

Agence France-Presse

Why hunks Tony and Marco don’t get turned on while doing love scenes

While their previous works can give people the impression that they’re already used to baring skin in front of the cameras, Marco Gumabao and Tony Labrusca insisted that it’s something that no one could ever get used to.

And the upcoming sexy drama flick “Hindi Tayo Pwede”—which had the two men doing steamy scenes with leading lady Lovi Poe—is no different. “It may seem like we’re comfortable doing those types of scenes, but the truth is, no—definitely not. We always get scared at first. There’s always hiya and awkwardness once you’re on the spot, and especially when you’re working with an actress you haven’t worked with in the past,” Marco told reporters at a press conference for the said film, which opens on March 4.



Marco, whose last film was another sexy drama—“Just a Stranger” with Anne Curtis—said being intimate with someone on-screen takes a lot of preparation. “For instance, I was informed that I was doing a love scene with Lovi on such a short notice … just the night before the shoot. That got me nervous because I wasn’t ready, physi­cally, at least. And you can’t help but worry about these things when you have to show off your body,” the 25-year-old actor pointed out. Thankfully, the process is much easier when working with a proficient actress like Lovi. “After the first take, the awkwardness starts to go away. And once you ­realize that you’re doing this for the movie, that’s when it all flows,” he said.

But even then, the two actors maintained that you can’t really get turned on while working. “We’re in a professional setting. What people forget is that when we do those scenes, there are a lot of people around us,” said Tony, whose passionate kissing scene with Angel Aquino in the film “Glorious” made headlines not too long ago. “You have the cameras, the lights, the director.”

“I know that when you see the end result, it’s like magic, there’s spark. But there’s a lot of hard work in it,” stressed the 24-year-old actor.

In “Hindi Tayo Pwede,” Tony plays Gab, who dies in a freak car accident days before his wedding with Gabby (Lovi). In her time of grief, Gabby gets comforted by Gab’s best friend, Dennis (Marco), who, apparently, has been secretly in love with her. Eventually, they get intimate. But as it all happens, Gabby still gets to communicate and make love with Gab via supernatural twist.

While the film’s trailer does highlight the steamy bits, “it’s not all there is to it.”

“We’re not selling it as a movie of love scenes. It really is mostly about relationships—there are confrontations, dramatic moments, too. It’s a love story among three people and each of them has his or her own burden to carry. I hope people get to see that,” Marco said. “When you love someone you express it by making love. It’s normal, that’s included in the film. But it’s really about how love transcends death. It’s a beautiful story,” added Tony, who was thrilled to be paired with Lovi for his first big screen project with Viva.

“I didn’t expect that I would be paired with her. And I’m really happy about that because Lovi is already an established actor who has proven herself in the industry. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with her.”

How do they relate to their characters? Tony said he would have probably made the same decisions as Gab. “Imagine being so in love with someone—your one true love—and you die. If you’re allowed to come back and love that person again, wouldn’t you take that chance?” Meanwhile, Marco, like Dennis, has had the experience of falling for someone who’s in love with another person. “You can be the best of friends or have the best chemistry, but things still don’t work out because of various circumstances. You’re not just destined for each other. It’s sad. But that’s reality. It’s about acceptance. You have to move on,” Marco said.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Sam Smith notices mysterious singer from Bacolod City

CEBU CITY, Philippines— Remember the boy from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental who went viral after belting to Sam Smith’s Too Good at Goodbyes?

Well, his viral video has reached Sam Smith himself!

Smith took to Twitter last night, February 8 and tweeted the video of the boy singing inside a mall in Bacolod City.

He tweeted, “WHO IS THIS KID!!!!!!? YOU ARE OUT OF THIS UNIVERSE WHOEVER YOU ARE <3.”

The video was first posted by netizen, Trixie Madison and quickly circulated online.

With the many shares and with how the video created abuzz online, with just four days after its posting, Sam Smith finally took notice of the video.

And with this post from Smith, the Twitter world broke and introduced the mystery singer, Carl Malone Montecido, who has already competed in Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 1.

Now, this is surely an exciting singing event we all can’t wait to happen. /dbs

source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

Oxford Economics: Wuhan coronavirus seen to cut tourism revenues in Asia, including PH

MANILA, Philippines — The influx of Chinese tourists to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries would take a hit from the outbreak of Wuhan coronavirus, but most economies in the region were expected to be ready in offsetting any potential economic impact of the illness, UK-based Oxford Economics said Sunday.

“The Wuhan coronavirus outbreak could potentially be a high-impact but short-lived event, similar to the SARS experience in 2003. As such, we think that the current virus outbreak poses a downside risk to our China growth forecast, particularly in the first quarter and possibly the second quarter should the outbreak be prolonged. But beyond that the impact should begin to fade,” Oxford Economics senior economist Tommy Wu and head of India and Southeast Asia economics Priyanka Kishore said in a Jan. 26 research briefing titled “Wuhan virus raises downside growth risks in short-term.”


Oxford Economics explained that while China’s gross domestic product (GDP) may be impacted especially on the consumption side (such as retail and tourism), and to a lesser extent on investments and industries, the economic effect would be “less severe compared to the SARS episode, at least for now.”

“The faster reaction time by the Chinese authorities this time around, with increased transparency and firm actions taken recently, are certainly helpful in mitigating the impact on public health, confidence and the economy. That is so even though municipal and provincial governments have at times been late, faulty and non-transparent in their response, especially at the early stage of the outbreak. We also expect the government to roll out measures, if needed, to stabilize growth,” Oxford Economics said.

Elsewhere in Asia, the economic impact of the Wuhan coronavirus would be felt by countries hosting many Chinese tourists as they get locked down in the mainland.

“We expect the economies that have a higher share of tourism in GDP and are more reliant on Chinese tourists—Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines—to feel the impact more,” Oxford Economics said.

Citing Tourism Economics and World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) data, Oxford Economics noted that travel and tourism activities accounted for up to 25 percent of the Philippines’ GDP.

“Tourism and related industries, such as food and beverages, recreation, clothing, etc., are prominent drivers of growth for most Southeast Asian economies and Hong Kong. Moreover, Chinese tourists account for a higher share of total tourist arrivals in these economies compared to the SARS outbreak period,” Oxford Economics pointed out.

Asian economies were nonetheless seen to be able to withstand decline in foreign tourism receipts, especially from China. “All these economies have available policy space to buffer domestic demand, if needed,” Oxford Economics said.

As of Sunday, the Philippines remained free from infection of Wuhan coronavirus.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia last week said “there’s always a potential impact” on the economy when diseases such as the Wuhan coronavirus and African swine fever strike.


In a separate Jan. 24 report, London-based Capital Economics said that “if the outbreak continues to spread, one of the main channels through which the region will be affected is through a decline in tourist arrivals from China.”

“The number of Chinese travelling abroad has increased nearly ten-fold since the SARS outbreak in 2003 and spending by Chinese visitors now accounts for sizeable share of some countries’ GDP, most notably Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore,” Capital Economics senior Asia economist Gareth Leather said in a report titled “Coronavirus to hit tourism, upside surprise on growth.”

In the case of the Philippines, spending by Chinese visitors in the country was still very low compared to most of its Asean neighbors, at less than 1 percent of GDP, estimates compiled by Capital Economics showed.

“During the SARS outbreak in 2003, Chinese tourist numbers fell by around one-third. If they fell by a similar amount again, it would knock around 1.5-2 percentage points from GDP in the most vulnerable countries. Overall though, lessons from past epidemics show that while the initial hit to the economy can be severe, growth tends to bounce back quickly after the virus is contained,” Capital Economics said.

source: business.inquirer.net

Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines — Former child star Jiro Manio was arrested in Marikina City for allegedly stabbing a man, police said.

Manio, 27, was taken into police custody Friday night after a concerned citizen alerted authorities of the incident on M.A Roxas St. in Brgy. San Roque, the Marikina City Police Department reported.



The victim was identified as  25-year-old Zeus Doctolero.

When police arrived on the scene, the citizen had already restrained Manio, who used an unknown weapon to stab Doctolego twice in the back shoulder, the report said.

The victim was brought to the hospital for treatment.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Marikina Police chief Col. Restituto Arcangel said that Manio is currently detained and will face charges of frustrated homicide.

Manio is known for his role in the 2003 family drama “Magnifico”, earning him the best child actor award from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences.

source: ntertainment.inquirer.net

Phivolcs: Volcanic tsunami possible if Taal alert level raised to 5

MANILA, Philippines — A volcanic tsunami is possible if the Taal Volcano alert is raised to 5, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned Monday.

“Yung volcanic tsunami po, pwede po natin iexpect sa panahon na mag-intesify pa po lalo ‘yung pinapakita ng Taal ngayon sa alert level 5,” Phivolcs Supervising Science Research Specialist Winchelle Sevilla said during the Taal Volcano interagency coordination meeting in Tagaytay.


(A volcanic tsunami is possible if Taal’s activity further intensifies to level 5.)

Phivolcs earlier raised Alert Level 4 over Taal Volcano which means a hazardous explosion may occur within hours or days.

Sevilla recommended residents near Taal’s lakeshore to evacuate amid the volcano’s heightened activity.

“Kung may mga kababayan po tayong nasa lakeshore area, posible po sigurong i-evacuate po muna natin. Kasi posible pong magkaroon ng volcanic tsunami kung sakali pong mag-intesify yung aktibidad (ng Taal),” Sevilla said.

(If there are residents near the lakeshore area, they should be evacuated since it’s possible for a volcanic tsunami to occur should Taal’s activities further heighten.)

A volcanic tsunami may occur in caldera lakes when water is displaced by deformation of the lake floor caused by rising magma, Phivolcs explained in its website.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Coke Studio continues to go beyond supporting OPM to advocating for the environment

Coca-Cola has been on a constant mission to refresh the world by providing people with moments of happiness, moments where they can enjoy and pursue their passions. The ultimate testament to this is Coke Studio, a platform that has shown how Coca-Cola not only refreshes its customers with its beverages but also refreshes the local music scene by supporting the best and brightest of OPM.

Going beyond promoting OPM, Coke Studio rallies Filipino musicians and music-lovers to elevate the music scene with an uplifting purpose – advocating for environmental protection.  Since Coke Studio Philippines was first launched in 2017, it has seamlessly weaved two of its advocacies together, becoming a reflection The Coca-Cola Company’s firm stance on caring for the planet. This is an advocacy which the Company has continuously practiced across the board, from its operations to its various programs and campaigns including Coke Studio.



In 2018, this advocacy for sustainability was taken further when Coca-Cola announced its goal to creating a World Without Waste. The already-established Coke Studio became the perfect platform to introduce this vision to the youth. Now, three seasons in, Coke Studio continues to amplify the message of environmental protection through music.

With music as a powerful, unifying force, Coke Studio concerts and events have not only brought teens together to enjoy the best of OPM, but have also become spaces where the youth learn and practice mindful consumption. Across its three seasons, each concert and roadshow has been thoughtfully-planned to inspire environmental stewardship among event-goers, educating them on proper waste management and providing them the facilities for responsible waste disposal.

After mounting numerous concerts and events in universities, fiestas, to festivals nationwide, Coke Studio has continued to shift the youth’s perceptions on PET bottles from a use-and-dispose product to one with multiple lives and instilled the importance of collection, segregation, and recycling.

A testament to how involved the youth were in these green and sustainable activations, Coca-Cola was able to collect and divert an estimated 9,500 kilograms of PET bottles which will be recycled into new products such as T-shirts, benches, and even the iconic Coke Studio earphones with the help of its recycling partners.

Coke Studio has redefined and set a new standard for environmentally-conscious activations, events and consumer engagements with its goal of uniting and empowering the youth to become a part of the solution in protecting the planet.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Indonesian wushu fighter pushes past grief after father’s death to deliver golds

MANILA, Philippines–Indonesia’s Edgar Xavier Marvelo was left in tears after his golden performance in wushu in the Southeast Asian Games.

But they were not just tears of joy as the 20-year-old Edgar learned his father succumbed to illness the same day he delivered two gold medals for the Indonesians.


According to Jakarta Post, Edgar’s father Lo Thiang Meng had a heart condition and was hospitalized the day the wushu athlete arrived in Manila on Monday. The team got the call about his death at 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

But, in the best show of grit and professionalism, Edgar pushed past tremendous pain and grief to give his country what he had also promised his late father, who was an avid follower of his career.

He won the top plum in men’s daoshu/gunshu combined category and the men’s team event for taolu duilian on Tuesday.

“I promised that I would do [this] for him,” Edgar told the Indonesian publication while battling tears.

According the official Facebook of 2019 SEA Games, members of the Indonesian wushu team were also moved to tears by Edgar’s showing.

Initially, Edgar’s family wanted to withhold the information from Edgar so he could focus on the SEA Games first, but his coach decided to let her athlete know.

“I told him, just let it out. And he cried. We hugged for quite a while. After that, he was ready to warm-up at eight,” said Indonesian wushu head coach Novita in the report.

It was not the first time that Edgar had to compete while his father’s illness loomed over his head. In October, his father was also hospitalized while he was at the World Championship in Shanghai, China.

Edgar went home to his hometown Wednesday morning. His father is reportedly scheduled to be cremated on Saturday.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Razorback drummer Brian Velasco, 41

RAZORBACK drummer, Brian C. Velasco, died of suicide Wednesday morning in Manila. He was 41.

“Today we lost our brother… and our hearts are broken… we love you and we will always miss you Bri,” the band said in a post on its official Facebook page on Jan. 17.

Mr. Velasco was a drum instructor at RJ Guitar Center when he joined the Filipino hard rock band in 1996 at the age of 18 after one of Razorback’s founding members, Miguel Ortigas, left the band.

In an interview with RadioRepublic in 2013, Razorback guitarist Tirso Ripoll talked about choosing Velasco instead of an Australian drummer during auditions: “And we said, if we’re gonna be with this dude from Australia who smells funny, we were thinking, we’re going to be in a van for two hours with this guy? Or Brian, who’s nice, and we know him, he’s a nice guy…. Skills you can learn, but you can’t teach how to be a nice guy. You can’t teach how to be a real brother.”

Considered one of the most prominent hard rock bands in the country, Razorback — formed in 1990 — gained fame by being regulars in clubs like Kalye, Club Dredd, and Peligro and for performing covers of songs by bands such as Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.

The band is a frequent collaborator with another Filipino rock band, Wolfgang.

The band released its debut album, Hebigat Sounds Volume One, in 1995 which was followed by Beggar’s Moon in 1997, a year after Mr. Velasco joined the band.

Razorback’s third album, Star, was released the following year and one of its songs, “Voodoo, Who Do?,” was included as part of the soundtrack of Filipino artist William “Whilce” Portacio’s graphic novel series, Stone, which ran from 1998 to 2000.

In 2002, Razorback released its eponymously titled double CD album. Its most recent album was 2014’s Acoustik ng Ina Mo.

Mr. Velasco also played for other bands like Brain Salad and DRT.

“I don’t know what to say… Let’s remember Bri in the best way possible,” said former Wolfgang member Leslie “Wolf” Gemora, in a Facebook post. “Rest in Peace, drum brother. I pray that God accepts you into heaven. You deserve to be with the angels.”

In a series of Facebook posts, singer Nicole Laurel Asensio, who has taken over vocal work for the band after its longtime lead vocalist Kevin Roy left last year, mourned the death of the “ONLY friend who I can honestly say has seen me at my worst and who I’ve seen at some of his most painful too. You were one of my best friends since I was 16…. It kills me that I’m all the way on the other side of the world and all I want to do is hug you and I wont be able to, not even at your wake. I love you so damn much… on so many levels. I love you Brian C. Velasco.”

While Mr. Velasco recorded his suicide on Facebook, the video has been taken down and family and friends are calling on the public not to share copies of the video.

People who need help or assistance may call Hopeline hotlines 804-HOPE (4673); 0917-558-HOPE (4673); or 2919 (toll-free number for Globe and TM subscribers). — Zsarlene B. Chua

source: bworldonline.com

Carmina on replacing Regine

She’s the Songbird; I’m just a frustrated singer,” jested Carmina Villaroel, who took over Regine Velasquez’s hosting duties in the GMA 7 talk show, “Sarap Diva”—renamed “Sarap, ’Di Ba?”—after the songstress transferred to ABS-CBN recently.

“As much as I want to sing … I can’t do it! We’re different, but I hope I can give the show’s followers the same kind of fun, joy and entertainment,” she told reporters at a recent press conference for the said weekly morning program, which started airing last Saturday.


Carmina was joined by her twins, Mavy and Cassy Legaspi. And the show, she said, will be tweaked to better suit the actress-TV host. “It’ll be more family-oriented. We will try to bridge the gap between us and today’s youth, so we could understand them better,” she said.

Asked if she’s ready for the inevitable comparisons, Carmina said: “I don’t want to stress over that. Some things end, and a new chapter begins. If it’s not me, someone else will be replacing Regine, no matter what … I’m taking this as a blessing and an opportunity.”

Carmina is also happy that Regine has been nothing but supportive of her, even promoting the show on social media. “She was happy when she found out I was going to be the new host,” she said. “She didn’t need [to endorse] the show, but she did—and that’s nice of her. I’m thankful for the support.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Asian Games: PH golfer Yuka Saso wins gold medal in dramatic fashion

Philippine bet Yuka Saso delivered the country’s second and third gold after conquering the women’s individual golf competition in the 2018 Asian Games Sunday at Pondok Indah Golf and Country Club in Jakarta.

Saso flourished in the crucial stages, delivering on an eagle in the 18th hole to finish with a -13 overall score after 18 holes.

The 17-year-old Saso bounced back from her double bogey in the 17th hole.

China’s Liu Wenbo was the frontrunner going into the 18th hole with a -13 mark but wavered in the final with a quadruple bogey.

Saso’s triumph also lifted the Philippines women’s team to the gold medal spot, pushing the country’s gold total to three.

The Philippine team secured the gold medal with a -22 mark after Saso’s performance.



Weigtlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines first gold medal. The Filipinos now have 12 medals overall, nine of which are bronzes.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Garin denies negotiating for Dengvaxia price

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin denied negotiating with Sanofi Pasteur on the price of the anti-dengue vaccine in an attempt to reduce its cost.


During the joint hearing of the Senate blue ribbon, health and finance committees on Thursday, Senator Richard Gordon asked if Garin negotiated with the French pharmaceutical giant to reduce the cost of the Dengvaxia vaccine in 2015.

“I strongly deny that. I did not negotiate with the price, but Sanofi came to the Philippines and presented their proposal to the government,” Garin said.

She narrated that she was late during the meeting, but some Department of Health (DOH) directors and an undersecretary were already there.

“So I came last in the meeting but I made a joke your honor because it was already at the end of the meeting. I said just update me and I said sana po buy one take one ‘yan if the private buys one, give one to the government,” she said.

“But I never negotiated for the price because we didn’t have money (at that time),” she added.

The P3.5 billion vaccination drive was launched in 2016 when Garin was still health chief.

According to the timeline of events submitted by former DOH Secretary Paulyn Rosell-Ubial to the Senate panels, Garin “negotiated with Sanofi to reduce the cost of the vaccines on June 9, 2015.”

The alleged negotiation, according to the timeline, happened after Garin went to Paris, France on May 14, 2015 and met with Sanofi Pasteur officials and discussed the vaccine’s cost over dinner.

This meeting was followed by Sanofi’s submission on Oct. 29 of an application to include the dengue vaccine in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF) pending the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) issuance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). /cbb

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Pepe Smith suffers stroke, now in hospital

Joey “Pepe” Smith, regarded as the symbol and inventor of Pinoy rock, suffered a stroke a few hours ago and was rushed to a hospital in Antipolo.

Music promoter Dudee Alfonso told the Inquirer that Smith–who’s turning 70 on Dec. 25–had just spent time with Willie Revillame and was in the car with his manager when Smith signaled he couldn’t speak.

Staff at Metro Antipolo Hospital, where Smith was rushed, moved him to the stroke unit, said Alfonso.

This was the third time Smith suffered a stroke, Alfonso pointed out. The first time was said to have caused an impediment in his speech

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Trudeau to Duterte: Canada ‘concerned’ over EJK issue

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has conveyed “concern” on the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, as he raised the issue on human rights violations during his bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Meetings held in Manila.



Trudeau revealed this information during a press conference held on Tuesday at the International Media Center in the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

“I emphasized the people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines and the great connection there but I also mentioned human rights, the rule of law, specifically the extrajudicial killings being an issue Canada is concerned with,” Trudeau said.

The Canadian prime minister’s comments came the day after US President Donald Trump hailed the “great relationship” he enjoys with Duterte in a meeting the Philippines government said did not touch on human rights.

“I impressed upon him the need for respect for the rule of law.” 

Asked how Duterte responded, Trudeau said: “The president was receptive to my comments and it was throughout a very cordial and positive exchange.”

“This is something that is important to Canadians, and it’s important to the world and I will always bring that up,” Trudeau said, referring to human rights.

The Canadian prime minister added he offered support to Duterte “as a friend to help move forward on what is a real challenge”.

Duterte is hosting world leaders as the Philippines holds the rotating chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

Trudeau’s comments were a rare sour note for Duterte during a summit that has been largely silent on the issue.

Trump garnered headlines on Monday for his show of camaraderie with Duterte, a man who last week boasted of having personally stabbed someone to death as a teenager.

A Philippine presidential spokesman repeatedly insisted Monday that human rights had not come up during their summit talks, although the White House said they had done so “briefly”.

Ahead of a regional summit in the Philippines, rights groups had urged world leaders to challenge Duterte over what they say are gross abuses.

The 72-year-old overwhelmingly won elections last year vowing to eradicate drugs through a campaign that would see up to 100,000 people killed.

Since he took office, police have reported killing 3,967 people in the crackdown. 

Another 2,290 people have been murdered in drug-related crimes, while thousands of other deaths remain unsolved, according to government data.

Rights groups say Duterte may be presiding over a crime against humanity.  With a report from Agence France-Presse

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

LOOK: Trudeau rides an electronic jeepney in Makati

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a ride in an electronic jeepney during his meeting with Filipino-Canadian innovators of the vehicle on the second day of his visit in Manila.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Thomas Orbos accompanied Trudeau during the ceremony held in front of The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City on Monday noon.

The Canadian official is in Manila for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit which the Philippines is hosting.

Trudeau also made headlines on Sunday when he visited the famous Filipino food chain Jollibee at the North Harbor branch in Tondo, Manila.

Aside from ordering Jollibee meals, the charismatic prime minister the spent time chatting with some customers and restaurant staff. /je

source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Filipino netizens angered by Maria Sofia Love's latest antic

Many Filipino netizens are taking offense at transgender Filipina Maria Sofia Love's latest antic.

In a Facebook Live video with some of her followers, Maria Sofia Love played the National Anthem, stood upright, and then instead of putting her right hand on her left chest as all Filipinos do when "Lupang Hinirang" is played, put her left hand on her crotch. She was wearing a hot red one-piece.

She also couldn't help but groove to the marching beat of the anthem.

According to a report on "Unang Hirit", the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has gotten in touch with the embassy of the Philippines in Los Angeles, California, where Maria Sofia Love is said to reside at the moment.

There is a law prohibiting such acts. Republic Act 8491 states that the flag, anthem, and other national symbols be accorded with respect and reverence at all times. "Ito'y dapat kantahin lamang tuwing may seremonya, aktibidades saan mang lugar," begins Teodoro Atienza, chief of Heraldry section of the National Historical Commission.

Anybody who goes against RA 8491 is either fined P5,000-P20,000 and/or gets a punishment of one year imprisonment.

The video, which many netizens have been able to download, is now circulating online.

GMA News has gotten in touch with Maria Sofia Love. — LA, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Joyce Pring takes an adventure-filled vacation in Siargao

The island was sunlit leaving her skin golden as she went on a fun adventure in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island.

Apart from taking a relaxing vacation and campaigning a brand, she also went there to connect with the local community.

"Big kiss, big hug, and just so much love to our team for this trip! Thank you for trusting me to be part of a brand campaign that I thoroughly believe in - traveling with a purposeful heart for connecting with the local community, educating oneself, and maximizing trips with great new adventures," Joyce wrote on Instagram. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA/KVD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

#KicksStalker: LeBron uncorks ‘Silver Bullet’

As LeBron James sets to leave the Philippines, so does one shoe from the Nike inventory.

The Zoom Soldier 11 “Silver Bullet” will be released in limited quantities Sunday exclusively at Nike Park Fort at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Each pair is worth P7,195 and will be sold to customers at a first-come, first-served basis.

The shoe is the third and last pair linked to James’ visit to Manila after a special colorway of the Nike Air Force One SF and Nike Zoom and the first edition of the Nike Air Zoom Generation released on Saturday.

James’ third Manila shoe took inspiration from the Air Max 97 colorway of the same name with reflective accents, a metallic silver upper together with some hints of red, white, and black on the collar, heel, midsole and outsole.

The “Silver Bullet” was the same shoe James wore during his special training session with Gilas Pilipinas players and the media and also during the exhibition game of his Strive for Greatness Tour at Mall of Asia Arena.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Takahashi finally gets to be No. 1

KUALA LUMPUR — Mariya Takahashi may have learned judo from her father, but it was her mother, who introduced her to Filipino delicacies such as pancit and lechon.

The 16-year-old Takahashi went to her mother’s home province of Davao when she was 10 and that’s when she developed her love for Filipino food.

“My favorite is steak. But I also love pancit and lechon,” said the senior high school student at Shukugawa Gakuin High School.

She was the youngest gold winner for Team Philippines after winning the women’s -70-kilogram gold Sunday in the 29th Southeast Asian Games here.

“My strength is in-born. My father influenced me,” she said through judo officials Lorna and Takeshi Nakano. The Nakanos are parents of bronze winners Shugen and Keisei.

Takahashi honed her skills in Hyogo, a district in Japan which has a very strong women’s judo team.

Her father played judo for Aichi district and he helped his only child Mariya learn the ropes.

But back in the district level, Takahashi said her best achievement was only second place.

In this SEA Games, however, she’s the No. 1.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Uber, Grab patrons already having difficult time booking rides

Had a hard time booking a Grab or Uber this rainy Wednesday morning?

Well, that may just be a prelude to what could actually happen on July 26 when thousands of unregistered app-based drivers are expected to be forced out of metro streets.

Transport network companies (TNCs) Grab and Uber are the usual go-to mode of transport of workers whenever it rains. But on Wednesday, netizens lamented that they could not get a ride through the apps.

Netizen @memyselfJAM said that she has been trying for “15 minutes” to book a ride to no avail.

The Inquirer also observed in Makati City that office workers who could not book a ride in the apps instead waited out in the rain to hail taxis.

Grab said that their drivers are not out on a strike today. But noted that the fewer number of drivers servicing commuters may be caused by their fear of being apprehended by authorities for operating without a valid franchise.


Historically, Grab said that drivers would usually go out when it rains to address the demand for ride-hailing services. It noted though that despite the surge pricing mechanism, drivers still have the last say on whether they want to go out or not.

Last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered Grab and Uber to seize the operations of their drivers who they included in their platforms even if these drivers do not have valid franchises.

Of the 56,000 drivers in both of their platforms, only 3,700 have valid franchises.

Because of their violation of the terms and conditions of their accreditation, the TNCs were made to pay a fine of P5 million. Uber has settled their fine Tuesday afternoon, while Grab is set to pay theirs Wednesday.

A technical working group meeting to iron out the issues of the TNC industry will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the LTFRB. IDL

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net