Latest news with #Pilipino
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace hits VP Sara for saying she doesn't favor any country
Malacañang on Friday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for saying she does not favor any country at all. This developed after Duterte recently shrugged off allegations that her family is pro-China as she also questioned the Marcos administration's foreign policy. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Friday reiterated that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., for his part, is pro-Philippines. Castro stressed that Marcos has promised that "he will not yield even an inch of our territory." "Ang tunay na Pilipino, umaawit ng Lupang Hinirang na may dangal. Sinasambit ang mga katagang, 'Ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo.' Sabi nga po ni Dr. Jose Rizal, 'Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isda,"' Castro said when asked about Duterte's recent statements. (A true Filipino sings Lupang Hinirang with dignity. They recite the words, 'To die because of you.' Dr. Jose Rizal even said, 'Those who do not learn to love his or her own language are worse than animals or slimy fish.') "Paano pa kaya ang isang Pilipino at isang lider na umaming hindi mahal ang kaniyang sariling bansa, ano kaya ang kanilang amoy? Iyon lang po," she added. (How about a Filipino and a leader who admitted that she doesn't love his or her country. What's the smell of this person? That's all.) GMA News Online asked Duterte's camp for comment on the matter, but it has yet to reply as of posting time. Last Wednesday, the Vice President expressed frustration with the state of the Philippines under Marcos, saying she gets embarrassed as a Filipino thinking that other countries are seeing its debacle. She said, "Matagal na nilang narrative na pro-China ako. I am not pro any country at all. Ang sinasabi ko lagi, we need to develop, we need to maintain, and we need to level up our relations with all countries, hindi lang sa China." (They've been using that 'I am pro-China' narrative for a long time now. I am not pro any country at all. What I always say is that we need to develop, we need to maintain, and we need to level up our relations with all countries, not just China.) Castro had said that Marcos already expected her criticisms on how the government is handling the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as the Dutertes are pro-China. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH gov't not directly cooperating with ICC on drug war witnesses — Palace
Malacañang on Friday clarified that the government is not directly cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite the recent pronouncement of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that the tribunal had requested the government to provide protection for witnesses. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the government would help witnesses. "Parang sa ating pagkakadinig ay tutulungan ng DOJ (Department of Justice) ang mga witnesses para makapag-testify, para mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya. Hindi directly makikipagtulungan sa ICC," Castro said. (From what we hear, the DOJ will help the witnesses to testify so that justice will be attained by those who seek it. Not directly cooperate with the ICC.) "Still, ang tutulungan po natin ay kapwa Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong para mabigyan sila ng hustisya. 'Yan din naman po ang sinasabi ng Commission on Human Rights," she added. (Still, assistance will be given to our fellow Filipinos who need help so they may achieve justice. This is aligned with the statements of the Commission on Human Rights.) Pressed if this matter has the go signal of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Castro said, "'Yun po ay, 'yan din naman po ang gusto ng Pangulo, mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya." (That's also what the President wants, that justice be provided to those who deserve it.) Remulla earlier said three to four witnesses in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the ICC are currently under government protection. According to Remulla, more individuals may be placed under witness protection. Remulla also said cooperating with the tribunal does not contradict with the government's position that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in March 2019 during the Duterte administration. Castro recently said the President was open to having discussions with regard to the Philippines rejoining the ICC. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd vows accountability, clean hiring, no ‘pay-for-position'
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday reaffirmed its zero tolerance policy against "pay-for-position" schemes, condemning all forms of corruption involving appointments, promotions, and designations within the agency. In a statement, DepEd emphasized that all personnel movements must be based strictly on merit, fitness, and competence, in line with civil service laws and established rules. 'Any act of soliciting, offering, or receiving money, favors, or undue advantage in exchange for an appointment, promotion, or reassignment is a grave offense,' the agency warned, noting that such acts are punishable under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and may lead to administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. The department called on educators, staff, and the public to report any such corrupt practices directly to the Office of the Secretary, the DepEd Central Office, or law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)and the Philippine National Police (PNP). 'The Department guarantees that all complaints will be treated with strict confidentiality,' the statement read, adding that whistleblowers will be protected through appropriate safeguards. In a separate message, Education Secretary Sonny Angara gave a firm warning against individuals exploiting the system for personal gain. 'Sa ilalim ng aking pamumuno, hindi ko pahihintulutan ang anumang uri ng katiwalian sa loob ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, kasama diyan ang mga nababalitang pagbebenta ng posisyon o pagtanggap ng kapalit para sa trabaho, promosyon, o puwesto,' Angara said. (Under my leadership, I will not tolerate any form of corruption within the Department of Education, including reports of selling positions or receiving favors in exchange for jobs, promotions, or assignments.) 'Hindi makatarungan na may mga gustong paikliin ang proseso kapalit ng pera o impluwensiya, habang dumadaan ang karamihan sa maayos, patas, at legal na paraan. Dapat tayo ay may kakayahan, integridad, at malasakit sa bansa at kabataang Pilipino,' he added. (It is unjust that some people try to shortcut the process using money or influence, while others go through it fairly and legally. We must be guided by competence, integrity, and compassion for our country and the Filipino youth.) 'Kung may sinumang lalabag, asahan ninyong hindi kami magdadalawang-isip na isuplong sila sa kinakaukulan. Papanagutin sila ng ating batas at papatawan ng nararapat na parusa,' Angara said. (If anyone violates this, you can be sure we will not hesitate to report them to the authorities. They will be held accountable and punished under the law.) DepEd urged all its personnel to remain vigilant and uphold the values of integrity and professionalism, stressing: 'Positions in the Department are earned—not bought." — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd has opening for 20,000 new teachers, says Angara
The positions—Teacher I, Special Needs Education Teacher (SNET), and Special Science Teacher I—will be distributed to all regions based on school directories, enrollment data, and validated teacher shortages. The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking to hire more new teachers after the Department of Budget Management approved 20,000 new teaching positions for School Year 2025 to 2026. In a press statement, the agency said the move was aligned with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen the country's education system by ensuring that every learner has access to a qualified teacher. The positions—Teacher I, Special Needs Education Teacher (SNET), and Special Science Teacher I—will be distributed to all regions based on school directories, enrollment data, and validated teacher shortages. The biggest allocations are headed to Region IV-A with 2,655 items, followed by Region III with 2,152 and Region VII with 1,774. 'Sa 20,000 bagong teaching items, may 20,000 bagong pagkakataon para maabot ang mas maraming learners, maibsan ang bigat ng trabaho ng mga existing teachers, at mapaganda ang learning delivery sa field,' Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said. (With 20,000 new teaching items, there are 20,000 new opportunities to reach more learners, ease the workload of existing teachers, and improve learning delivery in the field.) 'Hindi lang ito tungkol sa dami. Ang mahalaga, mas marami ang buong pusong magseserbisyo para batang Pilipino.' (This is not just about numbers. What matters is that more will serve with full dedication to Filipino children.) The announcement comes as DepEd records major progress in teacher deployment. From August 2024 to April 2025, the number of unfilled teaching positions nationwide dropped from 72,964 to 38,862. The national filling rate has risen to 96.03%—up from 94.78% in 2022. To ensure faster deployment, Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Classification Action (NOSCAs) are now being sent directly by DBM Regional Offices to Schools Division Offices (SDOs) for Kindergarten, Elementary, and Senior High School positions, and to Implementing Units (IUs) for Junior High School positions. Appointments will be made quickly based on existing Comparative Assessment Result – Registry of Qualified Applicants (CAR-RQA). 'Bawat bakanteng posisyon ay sayang na oportunidad para sa mga bata. Kaya ginagawa namin ang lahat para ma-close ang gap na 'to. Hindi lang sa mabilis na hiring, kundi sa mas maayos at matalinong pag-deploy,' Angara said. (Every vacant post is a missed opportunity for our children. That's why we're doing everything to close this gap—not just through faster hiring, but through smarter and more effective deployment.) The 20,000 newly approved positions are part of a broader education reform push under Angara's leadership. These reforms include raising the annual teaching allowance to P10,000, streamlining workloads and paperwork, and expanding promotion opportunities through the new Career Progression System. With the deployment of new teachers already underway, DepEd expects a stronger presence of educators in classrooms across the country, improved delivery of education, and a more equitable learning environment in the coming school year. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
No Pinoys hurt in Qatar after Iranian air strike on US base -PH Embassy
No Filipinos were hurt in Qatar after Iran launched air strikes on an American military base on Monday night, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar said, citing Qatar government's announcement that there were no casualties following the strike. "Batay sa mga pahayag ng mga kinauukulan sa Bansang Qatar, walang nasawi o nasaktan sa pagtatapos ng pag-atake nitong gabi," the embassy said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday morning (PH time). (Based on the announcement of the authorities in Qatar, no one died or was injured after the attack tonight.) "Kanila ring tiniyak na handa nilang tugunan ang mga banta sa seguridad ng Bansang Qatar at ng mga naninirahan dito," it added. (They also gave the assurance that Qatar is ready to respond to threats to the nation and the residents living here.) The embassy then advised Filipinos to monitor the news to keep abreast of the latest developments. "Gayunpaman, inaabisuhan ng Pasuguan ng Republika ng Pilipinas sa Bansang Qatar ang mga kababayan nating Pilipino na manatiling tumutok sa balita at tumalima sa mga tagubilin ng Pasuguan at ng mga kinauukulan," it said. (The Philippine Embassy in Qatar advises Filipino nationals to remain tuned in to the news and comply with the advisories of the embassy and authorities.) "Manatiling maalam, listo, mahinahon, at handa," the embassy added. (Be informed, alert, calm, and ready.) Iran launched missiles at the US' Al-Udeid Air Base located southwest of Doha on Monday night, in retaliation to the US' bombing of its nuclear sites over the weekend. —KG, GMA Integrated News
