Archive - Claims by Public Figures

Press freedom in the Philippines does not fare better than Singapore and Malaysia, according to the Paris-based World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders.

What is universal periodic review (UPR) of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council and its relevance to improving the human rights situation in the country? Here are five things you should know.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent pronouncement on granting cash assistance and subsidies amid the COVID-19 pandemic runs counter to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s view on the matter.

Responding to questions from a panel of independent human rights experts during the 136th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva last Oct. 11, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla claimed that ABS-CBN was “not shut down” but merely denied a new franchise. This needs context.

During the 136th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva last Oct. 11, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla reiterated the government’s position that the International Criminal Court (ICC) “has ceased having jurisdiction” over the Philippines. This lacks context.

In a new department order, Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio backtracks on her earlier directive by allowing private schools to continue holding full distance or blended learning after Nov. 2.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has backtracked on his announcement that China had placed the Philippines on its blacklist of tourism destinations ”because of the problem with POGOs [Philippine offshore gaming operators].”

During the 136th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva on Oct. 10, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla justified red-tagging by government of critics who they believe to be sympathetic to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). This is misleading.

In a briefing with reporters, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos blamed the strong dollar for the weakening of the peso, noting that the Philippines is not the only country experiencing currency depreciation. This needs context.

In its 2021 audit report, COA ordered NYC to refund certain amounts of unauthorized or unsubstantiated prepaid load cards as well as irregular and unnecessary expenditures. It had previously issued notices of disallowance after flagging excessive claims of travel and meals in 2018 and “expenses not in accordance with existing government rules and regulations” in 2019.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, concurrently the Education secretary, has issued Department Order No. 034 dated July 11, 2022, mandating full face-to-face classes in all public and private schools starting Nov. 2.

More than two weeks after announcing his resignation as executive secretary, lawyer Victor Rodriguez backtracked on his statement that he would continue serving the country as presidential chief of staff.