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Volume 28 - no. 51 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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DATELINE USA from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Senators, White House to bring a solution for DREAMers in the new year Immigrant rights advocates urge Congress to pass DREAM Act sINCe entering the presidency last January, it has been one of President Donald trump’s campaign priorities to revamp the United states immigration policy. After previously promising to protect undocumented youth (DreAmers) under the obama-era program the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), in september the White house abruptly announced that it would end the program, leaving nearly 800,000 DreAmers unsure of their futures. Due to the spending legislation deadline on friday, December 22, Democrats are backing away from a pledge to force a vote this month. Previously, they also promised to withhold support if the republicans didn’t allow a vote on the Dream Act, which would allow more than 1 million immigrants to legally stay in the United states.
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Malacañang yearend report: Duterte admin’s reforms ‘gaining ground’ by Dana
SioSon AJPress
the “crucial reforms” introduced by Philippine President rodrigo Duterte since taking office a year ago “have been gaining ground,” malacañang said in its yearend report released tuesday, December 26.
In its 63-page report, malacañang trumpeted the administration’s key accomplishments in line with its goal “to give filipino people a safe, secure, and comfortable environment through his key platforms of providing law and order, lasting peace, and prosperity for all.”
“Crucial reforms being instituted by the Duterte administration to resolve the nation’s problems have been gaining ground, paving the way for the economy to maintain its growth and allowing the government to pursue more sustainable and inclusive socio-development
by Dana
US envoy: PH economy has ‘tremendous potential’ to improve
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TRAGEDY ON CHRISTMAS. President Rodrigo Duterte extends his condolences to the families of the victims who have died in the recent fire incident at the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall Davao during his visit to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on Monday, December 25. Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain
SioSon /AJPress
WIth a string of tragedies that struck parts of the country this holiday season, Philippine President rodrigo Duterte said the last days of 2017 felt like a series of sorrows. During a disaster briefing on Wednesday, December 27 in Lanao del Norte, Duterte lamented the deaths and damage brought on by typhoons and other recent unfortunate incidents in the country. “Napakalungkot sabihin (it’s very sad) to say we will end 2017 with a bang of so many deaths, ranging from carelessness to accidents and the typhoons. there seems to be a sorrow prevailing in the country today,” the president said. At least 240 people were killed after typhoon Vinta (international name tembin) battered the southern Philippines over the weekend, causing landslides and flash floods. According to government officials, around 13,000 families remained in evacuation camps on Christmas Day. Prior to typhoon Vinta, typhoon Urduja (international name Kai-tak) also ripped through Visayas and mindanao, claiming at least 41 lives.
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House opposition challenges martial law extension by Dana
SioSon AJPress
members of the house of representatives opposition bloc are challenging the constitutionality of Philippine President rodrigo Duterte’s second martial law extension in mindanao before the supreme Court (sC). In a petition filed on Wednesday, December 27, the so-called “magnificent seven” insisted that the re-extension of martial law for one more year should be declared “null and void” because there is “no actual rebellion” in mindanao. Led by Albay representative edcel Lagman, petitioners include Akbayan representative tom Villarin, Caloocan 2nd District representative edgar erice, Ifugao representative teddy brawner baguilat, Jr.,
magdalo representative Gary Alejano, Capiz 1st District emmanuel A. billones, and Northern samar representative raul Daza. the respondents, on the other hand, are senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, house speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, executive secretary salvador medialdea, Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, budget secretary benjamin Diokno, and Armed forces of the Philippines Chief of staff General rey Leonardo Guerrero. In their petition, the opposition lawmakers asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (tro) “before the effectivity on January 1, 2017 of the challenged re-extension” of the military rule. The opposition bloc in the House of Representatives insists that the re-extension “the issuance of injunctive relief will foreclose of martial law for one more year should be declared “null and void” because
Unlike Palace, DND aware of China Pres. Duterte tells son Paolo to ‘do what is right’ expansion in South China Sea by AJPress “Do what you think is right.” this was what Philippine President rodrigo Duterte advised his son, Paolo Duterte, when the latter offered to quit from his post as Davao City’s vice mayor. In a media briefing on monday evening, December 25, the president revealed that his son had sought his advice resigning from the city’s second-incommand. President Duterte told reporters that he “never suggested any resignation” but only encouraged his son to do what he thinks is right. “sabi ko sa kanya (i told
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Duterte: 2017 ends ‘from one sorrow to another’
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the already robust Philippine economy “can do so much better” because of the filipinos’ “tremendous potential,” said United states Ambassador to the Philippines sung Kim on tuesday, December 26. According to Kim, the Philippines can further improve its already good economic U.S. Ambassador to PH Sung Kim performance beInquirer.net photo cause of its young, hardworking and english-speaking population, in addition to its great natural resources. “the Philippines, like many other countries, faces some huge challenges [such as] infrastructure. but I also sense that there is tremendous
programs,” malacañang said in a statement. According to malacañang, the Duterte administration “has accomplished much in its first year in office in 2017.” “the president’s decisive
by AJPress
Resigned Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte Philstar.com photo
him), ‘You are in a position to do what is right. Kung ano lang ang tama sa iyo, gawin mo (Do what you think is right),’” Duterte recalled telling his son. the president also expressed
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IN contrast to malacañang’s earlier statement, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) claimed knowledge of China’s reported expansion in military presence and the enhancement of construction on its artificial islands along the south China sea. According to Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the DND is aware of China’s activities in the disputed waters. he also said that the government has a “West Philippine sea task force” that monitors the developments in the area. Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times on monday, December 25 reported that beijing has “reasonably” expanded its man-made islands along the south
China sea this year. According to the report, the construction projects cover about 290,000 square meters (72 acres). the projects reportedly include new facilities for underground storage and radar facilities. Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the south China sea, told the Global Times that the island-building in the contested waters not only improved the public service capacity of China but “also maintained its sovereignty over the islands.” “the relationship between China and other southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines,
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there is “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao.
Inquirer.net photo