Comelec approves online voting for overseas Filipinos

by zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, May 17 approved internet voting for registered overseas voters in the 2025 national and local elections.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said the online voting for overseas voters was approved in an effort to increase voter turnout.

“Higher overseas voter turnout. Spending P411 million resulting [in] a dismal 39 percent turnout (although highest in history) is not value for money so to speak,” Garcia said. “Why are not so many overseas [F]ilipinos voting personally or by mail (presently the mode of voting for them)? Maybe they need another mode,” he added.

Garcia bared that the poll body is now in

But ex-president Duterte says these were ‘never intended’

by catherine S. valente ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte agreed with the recent remarks of his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., that abuses were committed during his administration’s war on illegal drugs but insisted that “those were never intended.”

During his program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” aired on SMNI News, Duterte was asked to comment on Marcos’ reply to a question on the alleged abuses during a forum in

THERE is no need to impose strict travel restrictions in the country amid rising cases of Covid-19, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday, May 16.

Frasco issued the statement after the country recorded a total of 12,414 new coronavirus cases from May 8 to May 14, 2023.

“Tapos na po yung pandemiya sabi po yan ng WHO (The WHO [World Health Organization] said the pandemic is over) Kaya naman po (That’s why) while we continue to support the Department of

by Daphne Galvez Inquirer.net

MANILA — “It’s more fun in the Philippines” no more?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to launch an “enhanced tourism slogan” in the next few weeks, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday, May 16.

“The DOT has not yet come out with an enhanced tourism slogan as a country brand, but I assure you you’ll love it,” she said in a Palace briefing.

“There will be [a preview] in the next few weeks. But we will make sure to engage in consultation with our

Ex-President Duterte on De Lima’s acquittal: Verdict ‘should be accepted’

by Faith arGoSino Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday, May 13 that the court’s decision on the drug case of his nemesis Leila de Lima “should be accepted.”

In a statement released through Atty. Salvador Panelo, the exchief executive maintained he has “nothing to do with the case” and “never interfered with the judicial process.”

“The judgment of the court should be accepted. Frankly, I’m not interested in the outcome of the case as I have nothing to do with it. I have never interfered with the judicial process. I always say let the law take its course,” Duterte said.

Panelo, who was Duterte’s chief legal counsel and spokesperson at one point, also shared his take on the court’s decision, saying “the