News Roundup 30 December 2023
Dec 30, 2023 • 4 min Read
Protecting Philippine sovereignty a shared duty – DND chief | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro called on Filipinos yesterday to unite and fight as one to protect and uphold Philippine sovereignty.
Obviously referring to the country’s current problems with China in the West Philippine Sea, he stressed that the task at hand is a shared duty of Filipinos.
Teodoro, in his message in time for today’s celebration of Rizal Day, said Filipinos should remember and be inspired by how the national hero fought bravely for all.
“Today, may every Filipino be reminded of our shared duty and responsibility to uphold our sovereignty and sovereign rights as citizens of this nation,” he said.
“Let us embody our national hero’s unwavering love for the Philippines and remain united in protecting our hard-earned peace and independence,” he added.
Teodoro said Dr. Jose Rizal was a visionary and patriot who chose to fight for the country’s freedom through words and ideals, and his courage and sacrifice inspired others to join the fight for independence.
Full Story at: Protecting Philippine sovereignty a shared duty – DND chief | Philstar.com
Marcos orders streamlined efforts for Marawi recovery | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Saturday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered to expedite the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
Marcos issued Administrative Order No. 14, which aims to institutionalize the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City while streamlining the functions of various government agencies involved.
The directive, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on December 22, mandates all involved government bodies to expedite and oversee the timely completion of projects in collaboration with local government units.
The AO also directed Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), established in 2017, to wrap up its operations by Dec. 31, 2023, and officially be considered “functus officio” by March 31, 2024.
“In order to reduce delays due to redundant and superfluous bureaucratic layers in the National Government and to accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities, the Administration is actively pursuing the rationalization of the functional structures of government agencies in order to promote efficiency and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy consistent with the Rightsizing policy,” the order read.
Full Story at: Marcos orders streamlined efforts for Marawi recovery | Philstar.com
Descendant of Jose Rizal brother Paciano praises GomBurZa movie | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The critically acclaimed “GomBurZa” film was praised by no less the great great grandson of Paciano Rizal himself, whose childhood was prominently featured in the movie.
Paolo Lopez Azurin said he was glad to see his grandfather’s character portrayed on the silver screen.
“Nakakatuwa, na malaki yung parte ng lolo ko dun na si General Paciano Rizal. Nakaka, well, nakakatuwa na nakita ko yung kabataan niya. Kasi wala masyado nasusulat sa kabataan ni Lolo Paciano,” Azurin said in a media interview at Luneta Park during the 127th death anniversary of Jose Rizal.
(It was a joy that my grandfather General Paciano Rizal had a big part. Well, I am happy to see his childhood. There is not a lot written about Lolo Paciano’s childhood.)
While the titular characters of the movie were the martyr priests Mariano Gomes, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, the brother of Jose Rizal, Paciano, was prominently featured. He was a student of Burgos. Paciano was also the one who took the young Jose Rizal to watch the execution of his teacher, which somehow sparked the young Rizal’s patriotism.
Full Story at: Descendant of Jose Rizal brother Paciano praises GomBurZa film (inquirer.net)
More Pinays watch porn, website claims | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — For the fourth time, the Philippines has again dominated the viewership metrics of the pornography platform Pornhub, which claimed that the country is the only nation in the world where there are more female than male viewers.
According to Pornhub’s promotional “Year in Review 2023” website article, female viewers now constitute 58 percent of the country’s Pornhub audience, an increase from 53 percent in 2022, while male viewers make up the remaining 42 percent.
The article did not contain any independently-verifiable number on which its percentages were based, nor did it indicate how or whether the sexual genders or preferred sexual genders of the viewers were factually determined.
But it did mention that “since Google Analytics began tracking demographics data in 2015, we have seen our proportion of female visitors steadily increase over time.”
Full Story at: More Pinays watch porn, website claims | Inquirer News
