Articles by Danny Chan
Review requested of rights commission’s decision in spoon-and-fork ruling
The Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations has formally requested the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission review and rescind its ruling in a racial-discrimination case filed by a Filipino-Canadian mother, Maria Theresa Gallardo-Cagadoc, whose son was subjected to discriminatory remarks in a local school.
BBC issues apology to Philippines
The British Broadcasting Corporation has formally apologized for a comedy show it aired that offended Filipinos both in the United Kingdom and in the Philippines, the Philippine government stated on 24th October.
60% of Filipinos say quality of life has deteriorated: survey
A record six in 10 Filipino adults believe the economic crunch and pessimism are increasing to levels unseen since 1983, according to a report from Social Weather Stations. The pollster’s survey revealed public despondency had attained 1983 levels when the assassination of opposition leader Benigno (“Ninoy”) Aquino and financial uncertainty eroded public confidence.
Foreigners barred from receiving organ transplants in Philippines
The Philippines will ban kidney transplants for foreigners as part of a government attempt to end the illicit trade in human organs purchased from the poor. Francisco Duque, the Philippine health secretary, told a news conference that violators could be jailed for up to 20 years and fined as much as P2 million for illegal transplants.
12-year-old’s suicide casts light on Philippines’ poverty
A Philippine schoolgirl’s suicide in Davao City in a bid to escape a life of crushing poverty has focused renewed attention on the plight of millions of the nation’s poor. Mariannet Amper, a 12-year-old in the sixth grade at Maa Central Elementary School, hanged herself in her parents’ home in their modest shack.
Letterman’s Top Ten list draws cheers, jeers
The 70-year-old retired electrical engineer, who emigrated from the Philippines to Canada in 1977 and has resided in Saint-Hubert since 1986, is to receive $5,000 in moral damages and $3,000 in punitive damages from his neighbors.
Human rights commission awards $8,000 to victim of racial harassment
The 70-year-old retired electrical engineer, who emigrated from the Philippines to Canada in 1977 and has resided in Saint-Hubert since 1986, is to receive $5,000 in moral damages and $3,000 in punitive damages from his neighbors.
ABC issues apology over Desperate Housewives remark
The American television network ABC has issued an apology following a racially insensitive comment made by a character on one of the broadcaster’s television programs. ABC Studios and the producers of Desperate Housewives apologized on Oct. 3 after a remark disparaging Philippine medical workers was aired on Sept. 30.
US congressmen urge GMA to end extrajudicial killings
A letter signed by 49 members of the United States House of Representatives has called on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “to end the extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses” in the Philippines.
US congressmen urge GMA to end extrajudicial killings
A letter signed by 49 members of the United States House of Representatives has called on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “to end the extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses” in the Philippines.
US Calls for Murder charges Against Peace Corps Killer
The United States government and the US Peace Corps have called on the Ifugao prosecutor’s office to file murder charges against the confessed killer of an American Peace Corps volunteer.
Filipinas on Top of the World
Three Philippine women reached the top of Mount Everest, marking the first time that women from a southeast Asian country have scaled the world’s highest mountain. Noelle Wenceslao, Karina Dayondon and Janet Belarmino reached the peak on the morning of May 16.
Killing of Reporters Continues Unabated in Philippines: Report
Violence against journalists continues to impede press freedom in the Philippines, according to a new report. Reporters Without Borders, a non-governmental organization, stated in its annual report that murders, assaults, arrests, lawsuits and censorship all hindered freedom of the press in the Philippines last year.
Marine Species Discovered Near Panglao Island
Biologists working in the Philippines have discovered thousands of new species of sea snails, crabs and other crustaceans and mollusks. The Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project made their discovery from 2004 to 2005 in the waters near Panglao island in Bohol province, about 620 kilometers southeast of Manila.
Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” to Join Literary Greats
Noli Me Tangere, the novel that served as a catalyst that sparked the Philippine revolution of 1896, has been published as a new English-language translation by Penguin Books. The publication places the 1887 novel by José P. Rizal amongst the upper echelons of world literature.
Wal-Mart, Multinationals Denounce Extrajudicial Killings in RP
Non-governmental organizations have backed several multinationals, such as the Gap and Wal-Mart, and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in calling for an end to political killings in the Philippines. The NGOs, responding to statements from executives from major American retailers, called for the Philippine government to prevent extrajudicial killings of left-wing activists and bring murderers to justice.
Canadian Energy-sector Jobs Abound for Filipinos: Brion
The Philippine government rescinded the appointment of a recently retired general to a position on the National Security Council. Various organizations accused Gen. Jovito Palparan of human-rights violations, prompting Malacanang to withdraw his nomination to the post of special deputy in charge of counter-insurgency.
Imelda Strives for Closure Over Husband’s Remains
In an attempt to end years of controversy over her late husband’s final resting place, former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos has arranged for her husband’s burial on the family’s property. Her decision is the latest move in the ongoing debate surrounding Ferdinand Marcos’s burial since his death in exile in 1989.
Malacanang Withdraws Appointment of Controversial General
The Philippine government rescinded the appointment of a recently retired general to a position on the National Security Council. Various organizations accused Gen. Jovito Palparan of human-rights violations, prompting Malacanang to withdraw his nomination to the post of special deputy in charge of counter-insurgency.
FFCAQ Quits Talks With School Board Over Cutlery Flap
Since last April’s spoon-and-fork controversy, the FFCAQ has met with school board officials three times in the past five weeks to discuss ways to remedy the situation and prevent a similar mishap in the future. The association has further filed a civil rights complaint before the province’s human rights commission.
Teacher Exodus to US Adds to Philippine Brain Drain
The city of Baltimore, faced with a shortage of teachers in its schools, has had to look overseas to fill its openings. School officials from Baltimore recently visited Manila to find math, science and special education instructors for the city’s public schools.
Philippine Rescinds Death Penalty Following Killings
“We’re very happy with the abolition of the death penalty but we have to make the government accountable for the rising pattern of extra-judicial killings,” Loretta Rosales, a legislator who had spearheaded the anti-death penalty movement in 1998, said.
New Species of Mouse, Parrot Found on Camiguin
The bird was identified as a hanging parrot or Colasisi. Its distinctive features include bright green feathers, blue plumage on its thighs and throat and a scarlet-orange head and tail. The Philippine forest mouse is characterized by large eyes and ears, a long tail and brown fur. It subsists on insects and seeds.
Senate Committee Rules Proclamation 1017 Unconstitutional
The Senate justice and human rights committee ruled the president’s use of Proclamation 1017 last February to shut down media outlets which criticized the government was both unconstitutional and illegal.
RP Denounces Scathing New York Times Editorial
Philippine political leaders have refuted a highly critical editorial published in the New York Times which suggests President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is leading the country away from democracy and back to the authoritarianism of the Marcos era. The editorial, titled “Dark Days for Philippine Democracy”, was widely condemned by government figures following its publication on April 5.
Rare Flower Discovered in Mindanao
Mr Madulid further asked local newspapers to refrain from revealing the flower’s exact location out of fears that onlookers might inadvertently destroy the flower or its vine. If ratified, the flower will be only the fourth rafflesia found across the Philippine archipelago.
danHealth Care in Free Fall as Medical Staff Flee Country
According to a representative of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, the mass exodus of medical professionals from the Philippines has resulted in the closure of as many as 1,000 private hospitals over the past five years. Speaking at the association’s annual convention in Manila on Nov. 22, Dr Antonio Chang said approximately 700 private hospitals remain across the Philippine archipelago.
PCGG to Consider Auctioning off Marcos Jewels
International auction houses including Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s have expressed interest in selling the jewelry collection, appraised at upwards of $10 million (US). Mr Abcede said the gowns and shoes were “non-performing assets” that “should have been (sold) a long time ago.” He said the jewelry collection might sell for $150 million (US) in an international auction.
Shortage of Doctors Threatens Country’s Health Care: Duque
A Philippine doctor employed in a government hospital earns about P25,000 ($446) a month, while a doctor employed as a nurse overseas could expect to make $8,000 a month. Lawyers, accountants and engineers have also enrolled to train as nurses, according to Mr Duque.
US Ruling Targets Travelers Carrying Pirated Items
The Philippine embassy in the United States has issued a caveat against entering America with pirated items. The embassy’s announcement on Oct. 7, which followed a travel advisory from the US Commercial Service, stated anyone caught with pirated goods faces “automatic deportation in violation of intellectual property rights, or arrest and criminal prosecution, in addition to civil fines and penalties.”
Canada Approves Same-sex Marriage
Canada’s Liberal government passed an historical bill recognizing same-sex marriage. The legislation passed a House of Commons vote on June 28 despite heated opposition, making Canada only the third country in the world to recognize gay marriage
Missing WW2 Japanese Soldiers Denounced as Hoax
A pair of apparent Japanese soldiers hiding in the southern Philippines since World War II has been denounced as a hoax by the Japanese government. The story of two alleged World War II-era veterans on Mindanao island touched off a media frenzy in Japan and made headlines around the world for several days in late May. But after the two failed to appear after four days of waiting, Tokyo declared the story a hoax.
Gold Star Membership Denied to Mom of Slain Fil-Am Soldier
The Filipino-American mother of an American soldier killed in Afghanistan was denied membership to Gold Star Mothers Inc. because of her citizenship. Efforts to allow Ligaya Lagman, mother of Staff Sergeant Anthony Lagman, were rebuffed because she is a Philippine citizen.
Musical Chronicles Imelda’s Rise to Power
Following the success of the documentary film “Imelda”, a new musical is in the works that will bring Imelda Marcos’s life to the stage. The stage musical “Imelda: A New Musical”, scheduled to premiere on May 11, delves into the adventures and pitfalls in the life of the former Philippine first lady.
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