Marcos: PH won’t bow down to ‘external force’

by Jerome aning Inquirer.net

MANILA — On the occasion of the country’s quasquicentennial on Monday, June 12, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the patriots who fought for Philippine independence and called on Filipinos to “assert liberty day by day” in contending with challenges now facing the nation.

“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination’ — never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny,” the president said in his speech at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.

Marcos urged the people to reflect on how far the country had come “from that transformative event” in history when revolutionary forces led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed independence from Spain in 1898.

“I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom and achieve genuine national progress. Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry and responsibility from all our citizens,” Marcos said.

He also issued a message saying in part:

MANILA — The Marcos administration’s economic team on Tuesday, June 13 redoubled their push for the proposed law that creates the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), saying the MIF was not only advantageous but needed.

The government’s team of economic managers on Monday issued an eightpage statement defending the MIF bill after economists at the University of the Philippines (UP) called on their current and former colleagues in the administration to reconsider their position in pushing

by Beatrice Pinlac Inquirer.net

MANILA — United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that the US and the Philippines will continue to “collaboratively confront” the global and regional challenges hounding the two nations.

“I want to reaffirm the longstanding U.S. – Philippines alliance and celebrate our strong people-to-people ties, acknowledging the shared sacrifices that form the foundation of our alliance,” the US official said in his message to mark 125 years since the declaration of

by John eric mendoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — State volcanologists on Tuesday, June 13 believed the unrest in Mayon Volcano could last for a few months based on historical data.

Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), drew parallels between the latest activities and that of Mayon in 2018 and 2014.

“Based on our experience, this activity may persist [for] a few months,” Bacolcol said in a Teleradyo interview.

“When the eruption is violent, this would probably take a few days to weeks, but when it is slow like this, it would probably take several months,” he added, partly in Filipino.

Ma. Antonia Bornas, chief science research specialist of Phivolcs, told INQ Today that the activity would last for months when the volcano quietly effuses lava.

Assemblymember Steven Raga spearheads landmark 125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Albany

by momar g. Visaya AJPress

ASSEMBLYMEMBER Steven Raga, the first-ever Filipino American elected official in New York State led the historic inaugural 125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration held at the historic New York State Capitol in Albany.

1 marked the first-ever Philippine Independence Day celebration at the New York State Capitol in Albany, attracting hundreds of Filipinos from various corners of New York State and neighboring New Jersey, transforming a portion of the Legislative Office Building called The Well into a vibrant Filipino festival.

The momentous occasion on June u