Half of world’s democracies in decline, says watchdog IDEA

By Eduardo Porter STOCKHOLM — Half of the world’s democracies are in a state of decline amid worsening civil liberties and rule of law while already authoritarian governments are becoming more oppressive, an intergovernmental watchdog group said on Wednesday. In its annual report, the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) said democratic […]

State of calamity

THE BANGSAMORO government has declared a state of calamity in the entire region after weeks of torrential rains, including those brought by tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) caused widespread flooding and landslides in Cotabato City, the regional center, and the Maguindanao provinces. At least 40 people in the region have been confirmed to have […]

Cagayan province declares state of calamity after series of typhoons

CAGAYAN in northern Philippines has been placed under a state of calamity following damage from four typhoons since August, the provincial government announced on Tuesday.   The provincial council unanimously approved on Oct. 24 the state of calamity declaration, which paves the way for the release of local disaster response funds to assist affected residents.   The […]

Marcos sends sister to queen’s funeral

PRESIDENTIAL sister Maria Irene Celestina Marcos-Araneta was set to represent the Philippines during the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.  She was accompanied by her spouse, Gregorio María Araneta III, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement on Monday.   “Mrs. Marcos-Araneta and her spouse will be attending the events for the […]

US supports Philippines in South China Sea, State Department says

WASHINGTON – The United States supports the Philippines in calling on China “to end its provocative actions and respect international law in the South China Sea,” the State Department said on Friday. The Philippines last week lodged new diplomatic protests against Chinese maritime activities within Manila’s 200-mile (321 km) exclusive economic zone. It accused China […]

EXPLAINER: Why Cebu City Council tarries on declaring state of calamity for ‘Agaton.’  State of calamity unlocks funding.  State of preparedness isn’t in the law or ordinance, is unclear on what it means.  

AT A GLANCE. [] The Sanggunian has delayed the declaration of a state of calamity. If the issue is put to a vote, however, administration Barug will get its way; it dominates the City Council.[] “Agaton” is gone. The declaration is to meet the law’s requirement for the disaster fund to be used for rehabilitation […]

SHEQONOMI Announces Multi-platform Partnership with Reliance Jio

St. Moritz, Switzerland, Jan 11, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – SHEQONOMI, (pronounced SHE-CONOMY) the world’s first and only rewards based podcast listening mobile application on Android, JioStore, iOS, and KaiOS, proudly announces its multi-platform partnership with Reliance Jio which will incentivize 150,000,000 JioPhone users to listen, learn, and earn digital assets and rewards […]

PHL has enough calamity response laws — solons

EXISTING Philippine laws are sufficient for the implementation of quick response measures during disaster situations, solons asserted on Tuesday after President Rodrigo R. Duterte said “stupid laws passed by Congress” restricted him from immediately declaring a state of calamity.  “That law should be changed. And it behooves upon this Congress, if they want to, or […]