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Web-only Exclusives November 30, 2000 From Our Correspondent: Hirohito and the War A conversation with biographer Herbert Bix From Our Correspondent: A Rough Road Ahead Bad news for the Philippines - and some others From Our Correspondent: Making Enemies Indonesia needs friends. So why is it picking fights? |
Week of April 18, 1997
A mayoral re-election in Caloocan, north of Manila, is a preview of the 1998 presidential elections. Current mayor Rey Malonzo (backed by President Ramos) is running again after a petition annulled his election on grounds of incompetence. Incumbent Macario Asistio is running against him, backed by Vice President Joseph Estrada.Week of April 11, 1997
The Catholic and Protestant churches of the country disagree over attempts to rewrite the Constitution to remove term limits for elected officials, including President Fidel Ramos. The Catholic Bishops Conference is issuing a letter denouncing the move, while Protestants are referring to confrere Ramos as "God's gift to the Filipino people".Week of April 4, 1997
Residents of Boac demanded the closure of a copper mine that ruined the town's river last year. About 300 million tons of mining waste accidentally flooded down the river, silting it heavily. Townspeople demonstrated after Marcopper Mining's Canadian partner, Placer Dome Inc., said it was selling its 39.9% share of the operation.Week of March 28, 1997
HWANG GOES: The Philippines broke the deadlock over Hwang Jang Yop, the North Korean defector who holed himself up in South Korea's consulate in Beijing for 35 days. Hwang flew to Clark International Airport in the northern Philippines via Xiamen on Mar. 18.RIZAL REMEMBERED: On March 15 Filipinos in Hong Kong unveiled a commemorative marker on the spot where the national hero of the Philippines - Dr José P. Rizal - operated his medical clinic from 1891 to 1892. Senator Edgardo Angara and his wife Gloria and Consul General Estrella Berenguel officiated.
RAMOS OK: Despite rumors of a stroke while on a state visit in Pakistan, President Fidel Ramos, 69, looked hale and hearty at the 92nd graduation ceremony at the Philippines Military Academy. In his speech, he claimed to have reached the goals he set for his presidency and dared his successors to surpass his achievements.
Week of March 21, 1997
Gangs seized at least 42 people since January, collecting more than $1.2 million in ransom, according to the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order. Restaurateurs says Filipino-Chinese - hardest hit by the kidnappings - now stay away from fancy restaurants and eat out in their neighborhoods, starting a slew of new dining districts.Week of March 14, 1997
Live piranhas - 2,200 of them - that were smuggled into Manila from an unspecified South American country via Hong Kong were officially put to death on Mar. 3. Possession of carnivorous fish is illegal in the country, because they prey on local species. There was no explanation of why they were imported.Week of February 21, 1997
Despite six years of persistent wooing by the Israeli military, the Philippines looks less likely than ever to buy the Israeli-made Kfir 2000 fighter jet, above. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for 18 planes in 1991, but Manila is now considering Russian MiG-29s or U.S. F/A-18s.Week of February 14, 1997
Malacañang Waiting List
With his recent carotid artery operation giving pause to re-election talk, Philippine President Fidel Ramos may now be the object of endorsement rumors. His "anointment" is said to be worth as much as 30% of the vote - no small advantage in polls where the last winner (Ramos himself) got just a quarter of the ballots cast. One recent bit of speculation is that House Speaker Jose de Venecia, 60, will be Malaca–ang's man. He shepherded the president's economic and political reforms through Congress and helped build the ruling Lakas-NUCD coalition from the ground up. De Venecia is going to Hong Kong to meet with its future chief executive, Tung Chee Hwa, an important move with more than 135,000 Filipinos working in the territory. And Ramos' future? Private-sector leaders are trying to persuade leading presidential hopefuls to make him a senior minister, possibly for infrastructure development (he studied engineering). Would that be demeaning for an ex-head of government? Lee Kuan Yew wouldn't think so.The Philippines Supreme Court voided the sale of a 51% stake in the 570-room Manila Hotel to Malaysian-owned Renong Overseas Berhad. The court held that such historical sites must remain under Filipino control. Renong, which paid $25.6 million for the property, lost out to Manila Prince Hotel.
Week of February 7, 1997
On Jan. 27, the military signed a ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, an insurgent group left out of last year's peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front. The truce ended a week of fighting around the southern town of Buldon that killed more than 40. Peace talks are scheduled for the end of February.Week of January 24, 1996
President Ramos' plans to introduce a national identity card have drawn fire from human rights groups and opposition MPs. Manila insists the card will make business transactions more convenient. But coming at the start of the anniversary of the Philippine revolution, an event sparked 100 years ago by Filipinos tearing up residence papers, the move has enflamed local passions.News from The Philippines in 1996
News from The Philippines in 1995
