The examination of the Positio of the Italian Jesuit missionary who lived among tribal people in the 17th century has been completed in Rome. The Diocese of Dipolog received a formal communication from the Vatican yesterday, the anniversary of his martyrdom. Bishop Severo Caermare led a Mass to commemorate the day.
The new president of the Bishops' Conference, Msgr. Garcera, opens dialogue with government agencies and with President Marcos himself, against whom two impeachment requests have been filed. The Church is willing to collaborate in monitoring public works, the failure to complete which triggered the crisis. The president of Caritas: ‘Corruption in the country is systemic, and everyone's contribution is needed to respond.’
The decision to join UNCLOS comes after 40 years of delays, opening a new front with Thailand over the disputed oil fields off Koh Kood Island. In 2001, then Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra signed an agreement with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, for joint exploitation, but this never materialised and is now contested by Bangkok. The issue ties in with the 2016 arbitration on China’s "nine-dash line” with which Beijing claims most of the South China Sea.
The accident occurred after midnight, near the island of Basilan. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which had departed from Zamboanga and was headed for Jolo, reportedly experienced technical problems. Investigations into the causes are ongoing, while at least 28 people are missing. Maritime disasters are common in the country due to frequent storms and poor maintenance.
The president spoke yesterday in Cotabato City on the seventh anniversary of the founding of the Barmm. For the head of state, “peace” in the area is vital for the progress of the whole country. The promise to support “the aspirations of our Muslim brothers and sisters.” Meanwhile, September 28 is being considered as the date for the elections, which have already been postponed several times.
Faced with a rapidly declining population, Greenland is increasingly relying on workers from the Philippines for key sectors of the local economy, such as fishing and seafood processing. This is happening at a time when some studies suggest that Southeast Asia is the region most affected by rising sea levels due to melting ice sheets.
