Pope Impressed By Filipinos' 'Elevated Dignity'--Jesuits

Pope Francis was impressed by the "elevated dignity" of Filipinos, he told fellow Jesuits at a meeting at the apostolic nunciature in Manila after his meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena, reports Interaksyon.com.

Father-Priests in PH Seek Papal Blessing

Father Elmer Cajilig with his common law wife Kristine and their children (Source: Reuters/Erik De Castro)

Although celibacy is not expected to be directly raised during the Pope's visit to the Philippines this week, some priests who have fathered children hope that the pontiff will in time listen to their pleas for change, reports Yahoo News/Reuters.

Muslims in PH March in Protest vs. Charlie Hebdo

Filipino Muslims rally against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in Marawi City, Philippines (Source: AFP Photo/Mark Navales)

Around 1,500 people protested in one of the Philippines' main Muslim-majority cities on Wednesday against the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo's caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, reports Yahoo News/AFP.

Rep. Pacquiao Showed Up in Congress Only 4 Days in '14

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao (Source: wikipedia.org)

Boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao showed up for work at the House of Representatives only four days last year, reports Inquirer.net.

VP Binay's Ratings Hit New Low

Vice President Jejomar Binay (Source: wikipedia.org)

Following a string of corruption allegations during his term as mayor of Makati, Vice President Jejomar Binay recorded net satisfaction ratings at their lowest since his election as second highest official of the land, reports Rappler.com. He registered a net satisfaction rating of 44% in November-December, a steep decline from his 73% recorded in March 2014, according to a Social Weather Stations survey. 

Filipino Becomes Chief of Staff at Daly City Hospital

Dr. Herminigildo Valle (Source: patientfusion.com)

Seton Medical Center is Daly City’s largest employer, located in an area with a big Filipino population. And now for the first time since the hospital was founded in 1893, a Filipino has been appointed as Seton’s new Medical Chief of Staff. Dr. Herminigildo Valle, originally from Davao City, is Seton’s first Filipino and first Asian American Chief of Staff, reports ABS-CBN News.

Papal Mass in Rizal Park Could Draw 6 Million

With his man-of-the people reputation, Pope Francis could attract one of the biggest gatherings ever for a Pope during an open-air Mass in Rizal Park on Jan. 18. The concluding Mass of Francis’ four-day visit to the Philippines may draw up to 6 million people, offering a pulsating example of Asia’s status as a dynamic growth region for the Catholic Church but also creating a security nightmare, reports Inquirer.net.

Eldest Marcos Daughter Linked to Secretive Offshore Trusts

Governor Imee Marcos, her brother Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., mother Rep. Imelda Marcos, and sister Irene Marcos-Araneta. (Source: http://www.icij.org/)

Newly uncovered documents link Maria Imelda Marcos Manotoc, the eldest child of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and now a senior political figure in her own right, to two secretive offshore trusts and an offshore company, reports the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.