Latest news with #PhilippineIndependenceDay
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace on VP Sara's trip to Australia: Personal or for country?
''Pang personal o pang bayan? That is the question.'' This was the reaction of Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Friday as regards the travel of Vice President Sara Duterte to Australia for a personal trip. Castro said it would be Duterte's choice if she prefers to travel. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) revealed that her itinerary includes attendance in the "Free Duterte Now" rally on Sunday, June 22, in Melbourne. The elder Duterte is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs. GMA News Online has reached the OVP for comment on Castro's remark but it has yet to reply as of posting time. Last week, the Vice President traveled to Kuala Lumpur for a personal trip with her family. While in Malaysia, she attended a Philippine Independence Day celebration and engaged in a program consultation with overseas Filipino workers. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Sara Duterte bound for Australia, to join rally for dad Rodrigo
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media in front of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on March 14, 2025. Photo by: Jay-Vee Marasigan Pangan Vice President Sara Duterte will travel to Australia for another personal trip and to join a protest action calling for the release of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. According to an advisory Friday from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), her itinerary includes attendance in the "Free Duterte Now" rally on Sunday, June 22, in Melbourne. The elder Duterte is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs. Last week, the Vice President traveled to Kuala Lumpur for a personal trip with her family. While in Malaysia, she attended a Philippine Independence Day celebration and engaged in a program consultation with overseas Filipino workers. The Vice President is facing an impeachment case for betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. She was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint against her. After the Senate voted to return her case to the House of Representatives, her impeachment trial is currently expected to begin in the 20th Congress, which will open in July. The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday directed Sara Duterte and nine others from the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) to respond to the charges filed by the House of Representatives in connection with the alleged misuse of confidential funds. The order came after the House filed a complaint against Duterte and several others for plunder, technical malversation, falsification, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution, a source said. The complaint stemmed from the recommendation of the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability to file charges against Duterte for the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds of the OVP and P112.5 million in confidential funds of DepEd from 2022 to 2024. The Vice President has denied the allegations against her. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Fil-Am lawmaker Luz Bay responds to criticism for calling PH her ‘home country'
A Filipino American lawmaker in New Hampshire, Rep. Luz Bay, delivered a strong speech on the House floor after being asked why someone who called the Philippines her 'home country' was allowed to serve in the U.S. legislature. Bay, a Democrat representing Strafford County District 21, made the statement a week after commemorating Philippine Independence Day during a House session. 'A week ago, I spoke at this very podium about the Independence Day celebration of my home country, the Philippines,' Bay said in the video. 'Shortly after my speech, I was asked how someone who calls the Philippines my home country is allowed to serve in this House.' 'I want to respond, not just for myself, but for the thousands of immigrants, new Americans, and children of immigrants, who contribute every day to the strength of this state of this country,' she added. She responded, 'Let me say it clearly: I am here because I belong here,' Bay said. 'My constituents in Strafford County District 21 elected me under the same laws, with the same legitimacy, as anyone in this room,' she said. 'My birthplace does not make me less American. My accent does not disqualify me from public service. And my identity as Filipino American does not make me aghast.' Bay highlighted America's immigrant history, adding: 'Unless you are Indigenous to this land, unless your ancestors walked here before borders, before colonization, before the concept of immigration even existed, you too are descended from immigrants. 'Some of our families came centuries ago, others came fleeing war, poverty, persecution, or simply searching for the promise that America holds. My story is part of that American story. It is not the footnote. It is a verse in the song of this nation,' Bay said. Bay ended her speech by affirming her identity and what America stands for, saying it is 'a place where democracy is enriched by diversity, where freedom means the opportunity to serve, and where strength lies in our shared commitment to justice, not in the sameness of our origins.' 'I represent my district with pride. I serve this state with integrity, and I stand in this chamber with the full rights and responsibilities that come with my being an American,' Bay said. 'This is my home. This is my country, and I'm not going anywhere,' she concluded. Many netizens expressed their pride for Bay's resolve: 'Luz, that was an articulate and powerful response to the unjustified insult spoken against you and all immigrants. You are a brilliant and important contribution to our legislature, our state, and our nation. We are honored to have you,' one netizen remarked. Other netizens criticized the person who questioned Bay's right to serve in the U.S. legislature: 'Luz, nakalungkot na may mga racist na hindi nila alam kung saang lupalop sila nanggaling,' the netizen wrote. 'Ipinagmamalaki ka namin.' The colleague who questioned her right to serve has not been publicly named.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
The Filipino Times marks 12th anniversary by supporting Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai
As The Filipino Times marks its 12th anniversary, the organization continues to stand proudly alongside the Filipino community by supporting this year's Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai. Strengthening its commitment to connect with Filipinos across the UAE, The Filipino Times took part as an official media partner in the vibrant gatherings held at the Dubai World Trade Centre Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 this June, which brought thousands together to celebrate culture, heritage, and community. On June 1, the festivities presented by Emirates Loves Philippines, Infinite Communities, and The Filipino Channel welcomed many, alongside the support of our valued partners Kings Medical Center, Cebu Pacific, and VPerfumes, whose presence added warmth and excitement to the occasion. The spirit of Filipino pride continued on June 14, with the event organized by the Filipino Social Club – Dubai, where NutriAsia, Cebu Pacific, Kings Medical Center, Sun Life, Essenzi Perfumes, Shankar Trading Company, and WestZone joined in fostering community connection and celebration. Both occasions featured lively programs, family-friendly activities, and engaging booths where brands shared their products and services, encouraging Filipinos to enjoy and support one another. The celebrations held a special resonance, as the significance of Araw ng Kalayaan harmonized with The Filipino Times' own anniversary — a shared journey of honoring Filipino identity and community spirit. We extend our gratitude for the continued partnership with these community-driven initiatives and trusted brands. At The Filipino Times, we remain dedicated to delivering stories, opportunities, and experiences that uplift Filipinos in the UAE and beyond — staying true to its mission to connect, inform, and serve.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW says it must ‘properly time' repatriations amid Israel-Iran conflict
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac addresses members of the Filipino community in Dubai at the Dubai World Trade Center during Philippine Independence Day celebrations held on June 14, 2025. Jojo Dass DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Department of Migrant Workers is 'definitely ready' for a mass evacuation of overseas Filipinos from Israel, with Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac stressing that it is a matter of 'carefully assessing the situation,' including air space, to arrive at a proper timing. 'Nakahanda tayo. Pero di pa isinasagawa at this stage. Hindi pa ito yung tamang panahon na… Dapat itong isa-ayos nang maige, lalo na sa gitna ng putukan o hidwaan. Kailangang tantiyahan nang maige yung ating pagpakakaruon ng repatriation. But definitely, we are ready,' Cacdac told GMA News Online. (We are prepared. But we are not yet doing it at this stage. This is not the proper time yet. This should be done carefully, especially in light of the ongoing fighting. We need to time the repatriation carefully. But definitely, we are ready.) Cacdac was in the city on Friday, June 14 to attend Philippine Independence Day celebrations held at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) participated in by approximately 40,000 Filipinos and their children. Cacdac urged families in the Philippines to check on their relatives in Israel through the DMW's hotlines. 'Ang mahalaga sa ngayon ay malaman ng mga kababayan natin na meron silang madudulugan,' he said. (What is important at this moment is for our fellow Filipinos to know that they have somewhere to reach out to.) Cacdac said a help desk has been organized with the hotlines posted online on June 14, a day after Israel launched a strike on Iran. 'Nagpapa-alala tayo sa mga kababayan natin na yung Middle East help desk natin ay patuloy na tatanggap ng tawag…ang ating 1348 hotline ay pwedeng dulugan ng anuman tulong, yung mga kamag-anak sa Pilipinas na nais malaman ang status o katayuan ng kanilang mahal sa buhay ay pwedeng dumulog sa ating hotline,' he said. (We are reminding our fellow Filipinos that our Middle East help desk will continue receiving calls through the 1348 hotline for them to seek help. Relatives in the Philippines who wishes to know the situations of their loved ones [in Israel] may do so by dialing the hotline.) According to the DMW secretary, there are approximately 30,000 Filipinos in Israel. 'Sa Iran ay 30 lang yata. Marami ruon kasal sa Iranians,' Cacdac said. (There are around 30 Filipinos in Iran. Many are married to Iranian nationals.) War between Israel and Iran has continued to escalate with the ongoing exchange of a barrage of missile attacks, two days after Israel launched an early morning large-scale strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. The attack was launched in the early hours of Friday, June 13. — BM, GMA Integrated News
