Three Malaysians Allegedly kidnapped at the border of Southern Philippines

Three Malaysian fishermen were reported to be kidnapped late Saturday off Pom Pom Island in eastern Sabah. This was disclosed by Malaysian authorities. 

The Star Online quoted Eastern Sabah Community Command ( EssCom) Commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Abdul Khalid saying that the commander received a report about the alleged kidnapping from the owner of the boat himself. Khalid mentioned that the abduction was orchestrated by seven armed Filipinos. The victims were believed to have been brought to Tawi - Tawi Province which is the border of the southern part of the Philippines and Malaysia. 

The abductors sped off on a green motorized boat. While the rest of the crew of the vessel steered their way back to Semporna jetty. It is confirmed that the boat is Malaysian registered as Khalid told this to the Armed Forces of the Philippines but limited on the details. Although it has been the ASG who are doing kidnapping activities, however the authorities have not linked the said incident to the ASG yet. Khalid said its probable that this was perpetrated by a "kidnap for ransom group" that operates near the borders of Tawi Tawi and Malaysia.  

Furthermore, the kidnapped victims are not Malaysians but permanent residents of Malaysia. While the Malaysian military was vocal about the kidnapping, AFP and Joint Task Force Sulu kept their mum on the said incident which transpired during massive counter actions operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. 

However, allegedly there were three badjaos that were kidnapped in the Semporna Seas at around 10:40 pm of Sept 10. They were identified as Masurin, Sami and Lolong based from an Intel military report.

Source: Inquirer

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Miriam Santiago is not in ICU

How things are doing with former Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago?

Opposite to what the reports say, the former senator who are still on the process of battling her illness of lung cancer is currently on a treatment for cancer doing in a private room and not what the other report say that she is in the intensive care unit (ICU) hospital of Taguig City, her daughter-in-law said on a statement on Sunday.

“Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is in a private room of St. Luke’s Global, not in the ICU. She is currently being treated for her cancer and the family is hoping that she will fully recover," the daughter-in-law said.

"Thank you for respecting our privacy in the meantime. Thank you for continuously praying for her,” Mechel Santiago wrote on Facebook. “She loves all of you. She is a fighter and will continuously fight this battle,” she added.

Last May, Santiago was quickly sent to the ICU of Makati Medical Center over her complication towards the lung cancer and was discharged after a week of recovery.

It was on July 2014 that she announced for herself to let thepublic knows that she had lung cancer however,she announced also last year that she was totally free of cancer  after undergoing a clinical test for taking new anticancer drug from outside the country.

The former senator was one of the presidential aspirants who fought with President Rodrigo Duterte during May 9 election and she is one of the people who believes in the capacity of the new president.

Source: Inquirer

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Duterte set to visit the land of the rising sun "Japan"

After his participation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in relation to economic and cultural development in Laos, and became the chairman for 2017 Asean summit which will be held in the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Roa "Diogng" Duterte passed on his acknowledgment of PM Abe's welcome to visit Japan, amid his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 28th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos on September 06, 2016.

Amid their meeting, President Duterte underscored that Japan is an old companion and a pre-prominent accomplice of the Philippines. 

He specified that the two nations are key accomplices who offer basic estimations of common appreciation, participation and adherence to the standard of law. 

The President expressed gratitude toward Japan for its huge part in the advancement of the Philippines, most particularly in the President's main residence, Mindanao. 

He likewise communicated thankfulness to Japan for its decades-long responsibility to the peace and improvement of the Bangsamoro Region. 

PM Abe said that Japan stays focused on its investment in the financial improvement of the Philippines, headway of the two nations' barrier participation, and arrangement of value framework to the Philippines. 

Head administrator Abe repeated his dedication to assist advance provincial peace and strength, collaborate in counter-psychological warfare measures, and proceed with the general and beneficial convention of abnormal state trades. 

The two pioneers concurred on the need of proceeding with law implementation collaboration and undertakings which will fortify oceanic capacities of the Philippines. 

Source: PIA

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LOOK: Isabelle Daza marries long-time bf Adrien Semblat

Actress Isabelle Daza married her long time boyfriend Adrien Semblat on Saturday, September 10 as the former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. walked her down the aisle in replace of his father who passed away last July.

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. walked his goddaughter actress Isabelle Daza down the aisle on her wedding to Adrien Semblat in Italy on Saturday. Marcos stepped in for his friend and Daza’s father, Gabriel “Bong” Daza III, who passed away last July.

Bong-bong whose also the godfather of Daza, gave his warmth message for the newly wed, “What a happy day! All of us who love you have our hearts full of joy for you and Adrien on this happiest of days. I feel the warmth of your father Bong’s smile on us as we wish you all the love, happiness and success as you embark on your new life together as husband and wife. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Daza-Semblat #LoveFOREVER." wrote on his facebook account.

On the wedding were Daza’s friends including Anne Curtis, Solenn and Erwan Heussaff, Tim Yap, Raymond Gutierrez, Liz Uy, also her cousins Georgina Wilson, Jessica-Diaz Wilson and Martine Cajucom and of course her loving mom former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz.

Source:  BelleDazaOfficial  Rappler

Comedian Joy Viado dies at 57

Famous comedian Joy Viado started her career on showbiz as a comedian and a host of a noontime variety show 'Lunch Break' for IBC-13 on 2000. She also starred on 'Luv U' a teen comedy series as Lola Paula.

Viado appeared in many Filipino films for horror, drama, romance and especially comedy movies where she worked with Vice Ganda for Sisterakas and Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy, also Petrang Kabayo, Four Sisters and a Wedding, Da Possessed and many more. 

The actress passed away on Saturday, September 10, on the age of 57, according to a source close to the comedian and was confirmed by ABS-CBN.

She suffered from heart attack that night, was taken to Quezon City General Hospital and was declared dead on arrival at 8:55 p.m. in a statement from her best friend Annete Lucido.

Her son Joseph Cristopher said that her mom was having difficulty of breathing after she arrived home after coming from a friend's place said in a report in DZMM on Saturday.

"Galing siya sa bahay ng kaibigan niya, at paguwi niya ay medyo nahihirapan na siyang huminga," Joseph shared. "Tapos nung tinakbo namin siya sa hospital, sa kotse pa lang eh talagang nahihirapan na siya. Sa hospital, sinubukan i-revive pero dead on arrival," Joseph Cristopher said. 

He added that Viado's wake will be held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels.

Viado has worked with many great actors and actresses and had gained as one of the veteran comediennes of the country that already marked in the industry.

Source: ABSCBN

Panelo: Don't put meaning to that, that's just his style, it's just a hyperbole

After President Rodrigo Duterte said foul words in tagalog "son of a bitch," which ignite and caused the white house to withdraw the meeting between President Barack Obama and Duterte on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

The Asean Summit which is the meeting that comprises of the world's leaders where the Philippines is included, President Duterte arrived  in Laos on Monday night to meet all the leaders and members from different countries. 

Meamwhile, hours earlier, he dropped a diplomatic bombshell by saying he doesn’t want Obama to ask him questions about extrajudicial killings that have occurred amid an ongoing war on drugs in the Philippines and there are more than 2,000 people have been killed, since the president took office on June 30.

To note war on drugs, suppression of corruption and crime are one of the promises of Duterte during the campaign period.

The president loosed some words and said, “I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. Putang ina, I will swear at you in that forum,” he said, using the Tagalog phrase for “son of a bitch.”

But on Tuesday, since the damage has been done, Duterte expressed regret over the remarks he said referring to Obama.

Salvador Panelo, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel claimed that the US government was "misreading" Duterte's words.

Panelo said, “Don’t put meaning to that. That’s just his style. It’s just a hyperbole,” he added, “It’s just an expression. I don’t think it was directed to President Obama.,” Panelo said to the reporters.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement that President Duterte wanted to reassure the United States that his administration “continues to value the alliance” between the two countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) representative, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, said the Philippine designation was all the while pushing for the two-sided meeting amongst Obama and Mr. Duterte and still hoping for another meeting to be held. 

“Schedules are tight, but there are still occasions for the two leaders to meet here in Laos during the Asean summit. We’re working for that to happen,” Jose said in a text message on Tuesday to the Inquirer.

 During the opening of the summit, Laos president said, “There is a need for us to closely follow these developments and continue to enhance Asean cooperation and collaboration with the international community."

Countries members of Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The summit will be trailed by a progression of different gatherings on Wednesday and a summit on Thursday between pioneers from Asean and different nations, including the United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Obama touched base in Vientiane on Monday night and will go to Thursday's summit.

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UN Chief BAN KI- MOON: Bombing perpetrators should be brought to justice

On Sunday, United Nations Sec Gen Ban Ki – Moon damned the Davao blast that transpired on Friday night; he urged for responsibility and justice.

He made it clear that whoever is behind the terroristic attacks should face justice.

The UN Chief also expressed his commiseration to the victims and hoped for faster healing for the survivors. Ban said that he is one with the government in this time of sorrow.

To recall, President Duterte has declared state of lawlessness after the explosion in Davao City, his hometown.

The explosion took 15 lives and left 70 others injured and some under critical conditions. The Abu Sayyaf Group, known extremist groups who are based in southern Philippines owe the said attack.

Source: Philstar

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Gov't deploys 7,000 men to fight against the Abu Sayyaf group

There are about 7,000 brave soldiers in Jolo, Sulu to fight around the 400 to 500 members of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG).

That in every ASG member is equivalent or versus to 14 soldiers.

This is the biggest force tapped against the Abu Sayyaf group since it was formed in the early 1990s, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya said.

Visaya also said that one of the biggest challenges that the soldiers would encounter in fighting with ASG is dealing the unknown jungle of Sulu which the soldiers are not familiar, they are all coming from different places of the Philippines.

“But we can overcome as time goes by,” Visaya said.

Since the ASG has already established a good relationship with the people in the communities like they were giving money from ransom, they will be lacking the support from the people who are living there, Visaya added.

Visaya said he personally met with local chief executives to appeal to them so they won’t support the Abu Sayyaf group.

In a report told to CNN Philippines that the massive deployment of soldiers to fight against the Abu Sayyaf is not new anymore and it was also the strategy of the previous administrations and still failed to win or eliminate the ASG, Sulu Governor Toto Tan said.

But the AFP is determined to accomplish the decades-old mission this time.

“The AFP is committed to use all the resources of the AFP para matapos na talaga ito,” Visaya said.

However, since last week there were already 15 soldiers and 30 Abu Sayyaf members were killed in the military operations.

AFP Spokesman BGen. Restituto Padila said on a report that because of this fight, at least 2,000 families or 6,000 individuals already been evacuated.

Government troops like the AFP, the Philippine National Police and the Coast Guard already met together on Monday to ensure the security in the country, Visaya stated.

Knowing Abu Sayyaf, though they are just a small group of people, the ASG is considered as the “most terrifying Muslim extremist group in the Philippines,” the international security analyst Prof. Rommel Banlaoi said.

The ASG are known doing ransom kidnappings, beheading hostages and bombings inside the country.

Source: CNNPH

Robredo: What's missing on president's war on drugs is the element of rehabilitation

Vice President Leni Robredo said that what's missing from President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs is the element of rehabilitation, on Tuesday.

Robredo also gave her full support to the Duterte administration against its war on drugs. 

“For me, we need a more holistic solution to drugs rather than be reactive all the time,” Robredo stated in an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan, where she was there for the housing project.

Despite the strong war on drugs of the current administration, Robredo has yet spoken words against the spate of extrajudicial killings happening around the country, but the vice president remains “very supportive” of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Robredo stressed,“In fact, we were talking about it in the office. What role can we perform to show our support for the President? What we saw that’s missing is rehabilitation; that’s where the gap is.” 

She also said that many people had gave up themselves in after finding their names on drug watch lists but there seemed to be no program given by the government.

“If you will remember the story of the 22-year-old who… killed a nurse at St. Luke’s and he did it just after surrendering? So here whether there’s killing or a surrender, what’s the program after?” she said.

The vice president is the head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council with a Cabinet rank, a post appointed to her  by the President after a week he assumes the presidency.

“It seems the execution comes before the program. I think our office will help meet this need,” she said.

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 says that the government should provide effective mechanisms or measures to reintegrate into society individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation.

“It seems that what’s happening now, as a result of the influx of information and the number of surrenderees, is the government does not know what to do,” Robredo added.

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VIDEO: Palace still not sure if China will allow Filipino fishermen in West PH sea

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press conference on Tuesday, August 30, “Maybe the best thing to do is just test the waters."

President Rodrigo Duterte made an appeal to China to allow our fishermen in disputed waters of West Philippine sea, but Malacañang Palace still remains doubtful if China would allow Filipinos to fish at the disputed waters. 

“Proceed with caution,” Abella said for the Filipino fishermen who got harassed by Chinese coastguard in West Philippine Sea.

Amid his discourse at the National Heroes' Day in Taguig City on Monday, the President encouraged China to consider the situation of poor Filipino fishermen and permit them to fish in the debated waters.

“That’s exactly one of the things na inilapit yata ng Presidente – to treat our people not as enemies; let us not be adversaries but instead let’s be friends, parang ganon; to allow them to be able to fish,” Abella added.

In a statement, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua told reporters that, “I do not know the situation on the sea but we are looking on the possibility.”

Abella said that the statement of Chinese Ambassador is “a window of opportunity.”

“There may be kinks in the relationship but there is a positive opening," Abella said.

Duterte has reiterated that the bilateral talks between Philippines and China regarding the territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea ought to be founded on the decision of the United Nations arbitral tribunal, which supports the Philippines' claims.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Source: Inquirer

Yasay: China will be the loser if continues to ignore arbitral decision

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said that if China will be the loser if it continues not to acknowledge the arbitral tribunal against the claims in the West Philippines Sea. He said they are trying to make China comprehend so things will be on a clearer perspective.

Further, Yasay said that there will be no talks with China unless the talks will be within the conditions of the framework of the arbitral tribunal. The Hague decision in July is still being ignored by China to date. However, Yasay made it clear that the Philippines will only engage in peaceful and diplomatic actions and will stay clear of violent reactions; he added that maximum tolerance will be practiced.
Yasay said, they want to make sure of the safety of the Filipino fishermen which are the most affected of the disputes.

While our fishermen respects Chinese and Vietnamese fishing grounds China claims most of the South China Sea. It has reclaimed reefs and built airstrips capable of hosting military equipment, sparking anger from competing claimants led by Vietnam and the Philippines. This is the reason why the Philippines want to have finality on the issue so both countries will have a win win situation.

Meanwhile, China’s behavior in the sea have gotten criticism from the US and says that they will seek to make sure that freedom of navigation in the waterways will not be abused or hindered from.

Source: Inquirer

KC Concepcion, proud ate of Cloie as she won Miss Earth Sweden

KC Concepcion is one proud sister, after her half sister Cloie Syquia Skarne won the Miss Earth representing Sweden.

Cloie is the daughter of Gabby Concepcion and her former wife Jenny Syquia.

She got the crown and the title of Miss Earth Sweden 2016 and soon will fight for the crown again against the other candidates all over the world which will be held in the Philippines this coming October.

Because she is still a Filipino, in other way around Filipinos would still be happy if she bagged the crown in this competition. 

Imelda Shweighart who is the representative of Miss Earth Philippines 2016 will be competing her and the rest of the Miss Earth candidates.

On the photo from her Instagram account with the caption of:

“I’m MISS EARTH SWEDEN 2016! 🏻 Thank you to those who have supported me and believed in me. I would not have been who I am today without you. Thank you @aumauricio for my hair and makeup and@gakuyabykimgan for my gorgeous gown  #missearthsweden #missearth2016 #missearth,” Skarne said in her Instagram post where she was being crowned as Miss Earth-Sweden.

Source:  instagram  cloieskarne  inquirer

Duterte soon to host a nationwide radio program

Are we having a new DJ Rody?

President Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte will soon be heard not just on television but also in national radio program over Radio-TV Malacañang (RTVM).

Duterte will be hosting his very own radio program and because it's nationwide the citizens can hear him all over the country especially the far flung places that they wish to reach.  

For the record the president when he was still a mayor in Davao City also used to host a weekly radio program.

The said radio program will help him air his administration's projects and campaigns, broadcast the government workers or officials who are allegedly corrupt and he will also use it to name those people who are allegedly linked to illegal drugs.

The radio program will be named 'Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa'  and an announcer’s booth was especially built for Duterte’s use, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said

“After many years and for the first time, we would see an actual radio booth for RTVM. It is going to be the official radio booth of the President and he would be the first to use it for his ‘Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa’ program,” Andanar told DZBB on Sunday.

RTVM was sorted out in 1986 after the EDSA insurgency. The unit is included in TV scope and documentation and in news and open undertakings syndication of all the President's exercises. 

It is one of the administration's fundamental offices to educate Filipinos of the administration's project, presidential exercises and different redesigns.

Meanwhile, the palace also produced the bi-monthly tabloid Masa, which was produced and printed for free from Nationa Press Office and which has articles written against the fight against illegal drugs and the successes of government agencies.

The Duterte administration would want to use all necessary media outlet, not just on TV, radio, print and also social media like Facebook, in-order to reach out to as many Filipinos in the country to keep them well informed and updated regarding what's goings-on the president's administration.

Source: Philstar

Tax to implement on junk food and softdrinks

Department of Finance spokesperson Paola Alvarez in a report told inquirer that “The idea is to have all the existing bills that want to tax high sugar and unhealthy products like junk food and soft drinks included in the package."

The new administration of Duterte wants to have a tax policy reform programs which proposed to impose tax on fatty food tax, a carbon tax, a casino and lottery tax, mining taxes as well as a luxury tax on cars, jewelry and yachts.

The “sin” tax on tobacco and alcohol products, packaged as a health measure will be doing scheduled review this year since the implementation of it on 2013.

According to the estimations made by the DOF the consumption tax package will generate P109.4 billion in revenues while the mining tax will generate P3.5 billion by 2019; luxury tax, P7.7 billion; “sin” tax, P38.2 billion, and P20 billion each from fatty food tax, carbon tax, and lottery and casino tax.

Also to demand P5-a-kilo excise tax on sugary products, including domestic raw sugar, refined sugar as well as imported sugar and sugar substitutes, which will result in fresh revenues worth P18.1 billion.

 Head of research of ATR Asset Management Jose Mari Lacson, said, “There are growing concerns over the short- to medium-term outlook for earnings in URC because of the planned tax on sugary beverages, impact of the Snackbrands (a leading snack food manufacturer in Australia) acquisition and surprise weakness in Vietnam beverage sales in the second quarter 2016."

“In the near-term, investors will still have to reassess these developments in terms of their valuation of the company," Lacson added.

The International Council of Beverage Associations (ICBA) has commented on the proposed tax on sugary products in the countries like India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Britain that, “While we understand that there are discussions occurring in those countries, the bottom line is that taxes do not improve public health in any country.”

Source: Inquirer

PH ranks as 20th happiest country on Earth

According to the Happy Planet Index (HPI) report of think tank New Economic Foundation (NEF) which was currently released, Philippines got the 20th place as the most happiest country in the world.

The Philippines got a HPI score of 35.0, The score was got by obtaining and considering the well-being (where the residents of a country were asked on how they are feeling about life overall, on a scale from 0 to 10); 

life expectancy (average number of years of a person in each country is expected to live); inequality of outcomes (“the inequalities between people within a country, in terms of how long they live, and how happy they feel”); and ecological footprint of the citizens of the country.

The Philippines got a 5 regarding prosperity, a natural impression of 1.1 worldwide hectares for every individual and 26 percent in the disparity of results.

The life expectancy of Filipinos is at 67.9 years according to United Nation's data.

The Costa Rica got the no.1 place and was tagged as the happiest place on Earth, with an HPI score of 44.7 this year 2016, and they are also considered as the happiest in the world back in the year of 2009 and 2012.

However for this year, the ranking countries are Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Panama, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Thailand, Ecuador, Jamaica, Norway, Albania, Uruguay, Spain, Indonesia and El Salvador.

Meanwhile, report told that the western countries which are known to be as "standards of success" they are the ones who don't rank highly on the HPI. 

The HPI was made by Nic Marks and was initially presented by the NEF in 2006 and there are 140 participating countries which are included in the HPI report.

Even though Philippines belongs to third world country, it would not affect the capacity of every person on how to give smile and be happy though the world is unkind.

For instances like every year, floods and typhoons came to hit the Philippines and there are many Filipinos are affected. There are times that their homes were ruined by the typhoon but still you could see them smiling, despite the tragedies.

No doubt about it, Filipinos are good somehow in handling and treating problems.

Source: Inquirer