Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — Amid pressures from groups and proposals to suspend the public transport modernization program, President Marcos Jr. stood firm and rejected calls to stop it, brushing off allegations that the measure has been rushed. “I disagree with them because they say it was rushed…the modernization has been postponed seven times,” Marcos said in an interview. Those calling for a suspension or raising objections about the modernization program are in the minority, according to the president. The chief executive also said that 80 percent of PUV operators have joined cooperatives or corporations, allowing them to buy new vehicles. “How…

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte penned a long letter again on Wednesday to air her frustration about several things in public service, this time, she gave a thorough roasting to several government agencies without pointing fingers at exact officials. Duterte issued a new statement following her dismay with how the Marcos administration, her alliance during the May 2022 elections, is running the country. This statement was released in response to the security support pledged by six Muslim tribes in Davao City weeks after the official slammed Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Marbil in detail regarding the issue of…

MANILA, Philippines — A recent OCTA Research survey results revealed that a number of Filipinos are becoming more pro-Marcos than pro-Duterte supporters who have reportedly decreased in the second quarter. OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey revealed that support for Marcos increased to 36 percent or nearly four out of 10 in June 2024, up from 31 percent in March, while support for Duterte declined from 20 percent in March to 16 percent in June. Over 31 percent of adult Filipinos identify as independent, not aligning themselves as pro-Marcos, pro-Duterte, or with the opposition, it said. The survey was conducted…

MANILA, Philippines — As Philippine authorities struggle to access the West Philippine Sea, China has continuously increased its presence with over 122 vessels in the critical areas of the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy said. This figure is up from 104 Chinese vessels last week. “From the period July 30 to Aug. 5, 2024, the total Chinese vessels in the area are 122,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing. She reported that 106 Chinese maritime militia vessels, 12 China Coast Guard ships, and three People’s Liberation Army Navy ships were recently seen in the…

MANILA, Philippines — The owners of the sunken MTKR Terranova denied that its company was involved in oil smuggling. The MTKR Terranova sank last month while carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil going to Iloilo. Following its capsizing, two other vessels sank off the waters of Bataan but Terranova poses the biggest risk as it could lead to the biggest oil spill in the history of the Philippine maritime industry due to the volume of oil inside the sunken tanker. “The owners of MTKR Terranova, categorically deny the allegations of smuggling and involvement in ‘paihi’ operations,” Portavaga Ship…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called Filipina boxer Aira Villegas an “inspiration to young Filipinas” following her bronze finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. Marcos also expressed gratitude to Villegas for bringing home the bronze medal in the women’s 50 kg boxing division. She ended her gold bid after bowing against Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in a unanimous decision. In a separate post, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos likewise congratulated…

MANILA, Philippines — Manila placed 93rd out of 100 cities across the world in the 2024 Sustainable Cities Index, global consultancy firm Arcadis said. In a report, Arcadis measured four pillars to rank the cities across the globe with four Ps namely planet, people, profit and progress. Key data points in the SCI include air pollution, waste management, and investment in low-carbon infrastructure such as renewable energy and sustainable transportation. The index also considers factors like economic performance, social equity, and resilience to natural disasters. “In the 2024 index, Metro Manila ranked 93rd out of 100 cities,” Arcadis said in…

MANILA, Philippines — “Fourth place is painful, to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be.” This was how Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena describes his fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After three unsuccessful attempts to clear the 5.95-meter mark, Obiena fell short of the podium, with Sweden’s Armand Duplantis sticking to his gold medal win with the bar raised to 6.25 m — a new world record height. In a Facebook post,, Obiena turned emotional following the competition where he apologized for falling short of the podium. …

MANILA, Philippines — A commissioned Pulse Asia survey by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showed that nearly eight out of 10 Filipinos support the banning of mobile phones in schools. The survey conducted from June 17 to 24 revealed that 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide support a cell phone ban in schools. Over 13 percent disagreed, and 11 percent were undecided. Support for the ban spans all socioeconomic classes, with the highest backing from Class ABC at 80 percent, followed by 76 percent from Class D, and 71 percent from Class E, the survey said. “It is clear that our…

MANILA, Philippines — Beijing’s so-called “monster” China Coast Guard 5901 vessel was still in Sabina Shoal, maritime security expert and SeaLight director Ray Powell said Tuesday. “China’s 165m/12K-ton ‘Monster’ China Coast Guard 5901 still at Sabina Shoal in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as of August 5,” Powell said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. Reports show that the CCG 5901 has been near the Sabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal) since July 3. But the CCG 5901 has been “AIS-dark” since July 31, according to Powell. AIS is the automatic identification system that large ships must activate for safety and security.…