DPWH to deploy two teams to oversee Marawi infra works

ILIGAN CITY, 28 November 2017 - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking to send two teams that will oversee infrastructure works in Marawi City.

DPWH Lanao del Norte-First District Engineer Khalil Sultan revealed a plan to create separate teams that will handle repair works on government structure in "war zone" and "safe zone" areas.

Based on his recommendation to DPWH Region 10 regional director Virgilio Eduarte, the local DPWH official would like to be in charge of the war zone area since he is familiar with the place.

On the other hand, Sultan said District Engineer Rey Peter Gille, DPWH Second District Engineer will be handling the safe zone or the places outside the main battle ground and only have minimal damages.

"In the safe zone area, there is only a small amount of damage on the road, and there are only few government buildings in the area.  While in the war zone, even if there are still houses that are left standing, some of their walls have already been destroyed," he said.

Sultan added, "The war zone also includes the three bridges (Baloi, Bayabao, and Masiu) that has been critical during the fighting of government troops against the Maute terrorist group since the start of the siege."



The DPWH-Lanao del Norte-First Engineering District official noted that the 47 sets of heavy equipment donated by the People's Republic of China are already positioned near the Marawi provincial capital.

But, he said that they have not yet finalized plans on how to start the rehabilitation works on roads and bridges that were damaged in the war, as the military is still conducting clearing operations in the war-torn City. [PNA]

President Duterte wants more teeth to law against graft and corruption

DASMARINAS City (29 November 2017) - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, 28 November 2017, called on Congress to add more teeth to the law to free Filipinos from corruption that has been plaguing the country.

In his message during the birthday celebration of lawyer Alfredo Lim, the Chief Executive noted that the presence of graft and corruption in government is destroying the country.

"May suggestion is we add more teeth to the law," the President said.

The President reiterated his call to the legislators to craft a Constitution that would mandate more accountability to government officials.  

"Let us amend the Constitution.  Shorten or restrict the powers of everybody, including the presidency, but make a Constitution that would mandate more accountability and responsibility of officials," Duterte said.

"If you can craft a law wherein I would also put my own inputs there and it would guarantee everybody or stop corruption.  Do not be afraid to amend the law," he added.

In addition, Duterte assured that he has no intentions of clinging to power.

"Do not be afraid of dictatorship.  I am not aiming for it.  I do not ask it and I do not like it," he said.

"Make a Constitution that would do away with a long suffering corruption-ridden country and I would be willing to just step out para hindi kayo matakot 'Ah, si duterte, gusto diktador lang yun," the President added.

At the same time, Duterte also made an appeal to the high court to dispense with the issuance of temporary restraining order (TRO).

"I am asking the Supreme Court publicly now to convince the lower courts not to be wasteful in their TRO because there is money in it," the President said.
   

President Rodrigo Duterte attends 1st Bangsamoro Assembly

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte attends the gathering of Moro communities and other stakeholders supporting the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, during the Bangsamoro Assembly at the Old Provincial Capitol, in Barangay Crossing Simuay in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday, November 27, 2017.

US President Trump addresses delegates to 5th ASEAN-U.S. Summit to Commemorate the 40th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations

US President Donald Trump addresses the delegates to the 5th ASEAN-U.S. Summit to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations in Manila, Monday, November 13, 2017.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte formally opens the 31st ASEAN Summit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners, formally opens the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City, Monday, November 13, 2017.

President Duterte leads the 31st Association of the Southeast Asian Nations Summit Plenary

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the 31st Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Plenary as this year's ASEAN Chair at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on November 13, 2017.

The Summit, attended by the ASEAN 10 Member States and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, is set to tackle the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and The Way Forward, and the appointment of the new Secretary-General of ASEAN.  The ASEAN Leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues.

In concluding the Summit, the leaders will also adopt/note outcome documents on relevant issues under the three community pillars of ASEAN: ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

Opening of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2017 at Solaire Resort in Paranaque City, Philippines

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders, Saturday, 11 November 2017, pose for the traditional APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) Family Photo at the Intercontinental Da Nang Resort in Da Nang City, Vietnam.

President Rodrigo Duterte holds bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte holds a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vinpearl Da Nang Resort and Villas in Da Nang City, Vietnam on November 10, 2017.

This is the second meeting of the two leaders since President Duterte cut short his visit to Russia last May 2016 to attend to the Marawi crisis. 

President Rodrigo Duterte addresses Filipinos at Pulchra Resort in Da Nang City

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graces the Filipino community meeting at the Pulchra Resort in Da Nang City, Vietnam on Thursday, 9 November 2017.

Pulchra Resort, Da Nang City, Vietnam

Around a hundred Filipinos from Da Nang, Vietnam's third largest city, as well as from nearby areas, took a day off from work to attend this special gathering.

Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi in terms of urbanization and economy and one of the major port cities, in addition to Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi and Hai Phong.

Situated on the coast of the South China Sea, at the opening end of the Han River, it is the biggest city in Central Vietnam.  It is governed as one of the five direct-controlled municipalities of the SRV and is thus under direct administration of the central government.

Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam, with a well-sheltered, easily accessible port.  Its location on the part of National Route 1A and the North-South Railway makes it a hub for transportation.  It is located within 100 km of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Hue, the Old Town of Hoi An, and the My Son ruins.

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers keynote address in APEC CEO Summit Session 7 at Da Nang City

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers a keynote address in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit Session 7 at the Ariyana Da Nang Exhibition and Convention Centre in Da Nang City, Vietnam Thursday, November 9, 2017. 

President Duterte delivers his pre-departure speech before his trip to the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, as he is about to attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Da Nang City, Vietnam on November 8-11, 2017.

President Duterte graces the 67th Birthday of the Philippine Marine Corps

President Duterte graces the 67th birthday of Philippine Marine Corps at PMC Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Tuesday, 7 November 2017.

Presidential spokesperson Roque believes the incumbent Chief Justice Sereno should resign

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque believes the incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Sereno needs to resign.  

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque holds first press briefing with Malacanang Press Corps

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Executive Director Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy hold a press briefing for the Malacanang Press Corps at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacanang Thursday, 2 November 2017.

Joey Manalang: His struggles to coping up life in Japan

Joey Manalang is a filmmaker, who also works as an Information Technology (IT) technician at the Cyber Security Operation Center of Japan in Tokyo.  He has bagged multiple awards in various music and film festivals worldwide with his short film "El Diablo" and music video "Sabay sa Ihip ng Hangin" (As the Wind Blows), of which he was both the music composer and film director of the music video.


He also worked in several Hollywood film productions, such as "The Last Samurai" (2003), "Lost in Translation" (2003), "The Grudge" (2004), and his latest, "Equals" (2015).