Philippines

Today's headlines: Khamenei reportedly orders transfer of €4 billion to a counter of his son in Venezuela; Sri Lanka and India to connect power grids and strengthen trade partnership; Tokyo authorises the army to shoot down balloons and unidentified flying objects; Philippines and US study massive military exercises to counter China; Seoul welcomes two Russian citizens who fled Putin's mobilisation.

Today's headlines: Myanmar junta has torched over 55,000 homes in two years; wind and solar power in China almost ready to cover all domestic energy needs; Damascus opens two more border crossings to facilitate aid entry; Caritas Philippines launches a fundraiser for Turkey and Syria; New governor for Japan's Central Bank.

The only suspect on trial for the missionary's killing in 2011 says he cannot pay for a lawyer. So the court hearing was postponed once again, while the other accused are all still at large. Fr Jeremiah: 'The delaying tactic is evident. And the lack of media attention favours impunity'.

A project by a Philippines NGO boosts the right to self-determination of Indigenous Igorot people in Luzon’s Cordillera region. Their Council of Elders makes the main decisions, while youth and women are involved in management. For this initiative, the NGO received an award from the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, which is currently meeting in Rome. Pope Francis today met some of the delegates attending the event.

The Philippine vice president, who is also secretary of education, presented a report that shows that 81 per cent of students “cannot deal with math problems” and have “trouble understanding texts of moderate lengths.” She launched a plan to boost support for teachers.

Several studies have shown that poverty and prostitution go hand in hand. In the Philippines, the problem mainly involves women and underage girls. Thanks to six reception centres throughout the country, the nuns continue their mission of supporting the last ones. Prevention also against online exploitation.

Under a 2014 agreement, the US can rotate small military contingents in four more outposts in order to block China’s expansion in the South China Sea and south of Taiwan. However, it will be hard for the Philippines to be openly anti-China.

The island’s various ethnic groups often use English as a lingua franca, but not everyone masters it. Low levels of education and literacy (70 per cent) hinder the integration process. For this reason, some groups want local politicians not to speak English so as to allow for greater participation by women and Muslims.

The staple food has become too costly for many pockets. Bishop Alminaza, head of the Church People-Workers Solidarity organisation, reflects on the gap between economic growth data boasted by the Philippine government and the actual cost of living for the poorest people. He bemoans the fact that, “Worker migration because of unemployment here in the Philippines is accepted as a fact of life, because – again – this is not their economy.” And because of this, many farmers kill themselves.

After 51 years of mission in the tormented south of the Philippines, serving the last and peace among religious communities, the Claretian missionary has returned to Spain. From Basilan to Zamboanga, he challenged Islamic terrorism by building opportunities for encounter.

The news was given on social media by Kalookan Bishop Mgr Pablo Virgilio David. The Jesuit, one of the founders of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, had received the Vatican's 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' award and had drafted the historic declaration 'Evangelisation in Today's Asia'.

Three million at the feast of Santo Niño after the severe trials experienced in the Philippines' second largest city by Covid-19 and the devastation of typhoon Odette. Archbishop Palma: 'We have seen that in times of difficulty Jesus is the hope to cling to'. The story of Maria Leriza who, thanks to this devotion, changed her life by giving up gambling.