Pacquiao Attended Only 1 Day of Congress Session '15 to '16

Senator Manny Pacquiao (Source: Telegraph UK)

He’s not only a champion in the boxing ring, but neophyte Sen. Manny Pacquiao also tops Congress absentees, having attended only one day during the third session of the 16th Congress from July 27, 2015 to June 6, 2016. Pacquiao was “present” for only one of the 23 roll calls conducted. He gave an excuse letter for only five absences, reports Inquirer.net.

Int'l Jurists Urge Duterte to Probe 'Unlawful Killings'

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) urged President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate and counter the "recent wave of unlawful killings" in the country. Citing local reports, the ICJ said 136 suspected criminals have been killed between June 30 – the day Duterte was inaugurated – and July 11, while 84 people were killed during police operations, "many in an allegedly unlawful manner," reports Rappler.

PH Team Wins 2 Gold Medals in Math Olympiad

After three decades of effort and collaboration, a Philippine team finally garnered not just one, but two, elusive gold medals at the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Hong Kong from July 6 to 16, competing with over 600 contestants from 111 countries, reports Inquirer.net.

Documentary Filmmaker Diaz to Be Honored By Peers

Ramona Diaz (Source: cinediaz.com/Photo by Baltimore Sun Media Group)

Docs In Progress is honoring award-winning documentary filmmaker Ramona Diaz with the Documentary Inspiration Award, according to the group’s Eventgrid.com announcement. Diaz made Don't Stop Believin: Every Man's Journey, The Learning, and Imelda.  She has also been executive producer of several films by emerging documentary filmmakers, including Don't Give Up Tomorrow and Notown. Her upcoming film is Motherland, which goes into the heart of the planet's “busiest maternity hospital.”

Philippines Wins Case vs. China

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on Tuesday, July 12, said an arbitral tribunal has ruled in favor of the Philippines in its historic case against China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The PCA said the tribunal "concluded that, as between the Philippines and China, there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources, in excess of the rights provided for by the Convention, within the sea areas falling within the '9-dash line.'"

The tribunal said that "all of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands (including, for example, Itu Aba, Thitu, West York Island, Spratly Island, North-East Cay, South-West Cay) are legally "rocks" that do not generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf."

In a statement, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr said the Philippines "welcomes" the award from The Hague. For the full text, please visit Rappler.com.

Millennials Oppose Marcos' Burial in Heroes' Cemetery

Student leaders from different universities gathered in front of the oblation statue in UP Diliman to oppose the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, reports Rappler.com.

PH Consumer Affluence Among Fastest Growing in Asia -- Visa

As the Philippine economy becomes one of the fastest growing in the region, consumer affluence rises, according to global payments solutions firm Visa Inc. Top Visa officials said card usage in the country, an indicator of “electronification”of payments, added P4.6 billion and 3,460 jobs to the domestic economy from 2011 to 2015, reports Inquirer.net.

Forbes Asia 'Heroes of Philanthropy' List Includes 2 Filipinos

Geronimo de los Reyes (Source: wikipedia)

Anton Mari Lim (Source: wikipedia)

Forbes Asia magazine’s 2016 “Heroes of Philanthropy,” an annual list honoring the region’s noteworthy givers, includes Geronimo de los Reyes, 80, chair emeritus of Gateway Property Holdings Inc., a real estate company and the holding firm of industrial Cavite estate Gateway Business Park, and veterinarian Anton Mari Lim, 50, who started the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, reports Inquirer.net.