MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte suggested the arming of civilian groups to aid police in crime fighting at the launch of Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers in Camp Crame last June 25. “If you have this coalition, you have a list of people who are there who can arm themselves. I will order the police if you are qualified, get a gun, and help us enforce the ...

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan sentenced former Bureau of Immigration (BI) deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, along with retired police officer Wenceslao Sombero Jr., to life imprisonment for plunder over the PHP50-million extortion of gambling tycoon Jack Lam to allow overstaying Chinese nationals working in his casinos.  In a decision, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division said the pro...

Vice-president Leni Robredo said Aquino was the number one victim of fake news and disinformation in the Duterte administration.  Robredo said this in eulogizing former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who died last week of renal failure as complicated by diabetes. He was 61. Robredo said although Aquino was unfairly treated and even vilified under the D...

Sen. Risa Hontiveros on June 28 filed a resolution declaring July 12 as National West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day in commemoration of the Philippines’ 2016 triumph at the Hague and in honor former president Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s administration in securing this landmark legal victory. “PNoy is the father of our 2016 victory at The Hague. If not for his unwavering commitment to put the Phil...

Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III voiced out the exasperation of most Filipinos following the series of changes to the rule that anyone who steps out of their house must wear a face shield aside from a face mask. Sotto questioned the Department of Health's (DOH) basis for mandating the use of face shields, after reading the agency's summary report on the matter.  He once said he wanted to behead his predecessor but President Rodrigo Duterte ordered full honors for former president Benigno Aquino III, who passed away unexpectedly last June 24. President Duterte signed Presidential Proclamation 1169 declaring 10 days of national mourning following the death of Aquino due to renal disease with diabetes complications at age 61. OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today unveiled new guidance, reports, and resources to help the public and law enforcement better understand and address hate crimes in California. At 1,330 bias events in 2020, overall hate crimes in the state are at their highest reported level in more than a decade. This significant increase in hate crime activity — impacting a wide range of Californians — was particularly pronounced for Asian Ameri...

The sudden demise of former president Benigno Simeon “PNoy” Cojuangco Aquino III was felt across the miles even in the United States where the late PNoy stayed during the Marcos years. His family stayed in Boston until his father and senator Ninoy was assassinated in Manila in 1983.  Among those who feel a very personal loss is President Aquino’s San Francisc...