The wildfire smog in neighboring Indonesia has reached Mindanao, creating an atmospheric haze that alarmed residents and airline officials in Cagayan de Oro city. Jose Bodiongan, the airport manager of the Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental said on Tuesday that an advise to conduct visual landing was issued Monday after […]
The Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) on Tuesday issued a status quo ante order stopping for 30 days the plunder trial against former President and now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by the Sandiganbayan. The case involves the alleged anomalous utilization of the confidential intelligence fund of the […]
A 43-year-old priest from the Diocese of Libmanan has entered politics to face a well-entrenched traditional politician in the five-town first district of Camarines Sur. Fr. Apolinar Rull Napoles last Friday filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) under the Liberal Party to seek the district seat of incumbent Congressman Rolando […]
At least 24 areas in Luzon including Metro Manila are still under public storm warning signals as typhoon “Lando” slightly weakens as it continues its slow movement towards the provinces of Apayao, Ilocos Norte and Abra, the state weather bureau said on Monday. As of 4 a.m., the center of […]
The United States has told nations in Southeast Asia it will send naval vessels soon into what China claims as its territory in the disputed South China Sea (also officially referred to as the West Philippine Sea in Manila), diplomatic sources said Sunday. The United States is expected to sail […]
Typhoon ‘Lando’ brought power down in 12 provinces located in North and South Luzon, the country’s grid-operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said. On Sunday, NGCP reported the provinces that had power interruptions due to typhoon “Lando” are: La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Tarlac, […]
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad bared that funds for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the proposed 2016 National Budget have reached P132 billion. “With the help of the World Bank, our ongoing audit of the P3.002-trillion budget for next year has tagged P132-billion worth of projects that represent […]
Direct and live from Vatican, watch Pope Francis presides at Holy Mass with the canonization of the Blesseds Vincenzo Grossi, Maria dell’Immacolata Concezione, Ludovico Martin and Maria Azelia Guérin. At the end, the Pope recites the Angelus prayer. This program starts at 10:00, Vatican time, October 18, 2015. READ / […]
Stormy weather continues to prevail in most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila as Typhoon “Lando” has slightly weakened as it made its first landfall in the town of Casiguran, Aurora Province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said that as […]
The Dutch Safety Board issued a final report of the crash investigation on Tuesday, saying the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane crashed as a result of a ground-to-air missile explosion near the left side of the plane. The organization said an additional forensic investigation would be needed to establish the exact […]
Mangrove forests in the Indo-Pacific region could be completely under water by 2070, threatening fisheries, coastal protection and furthering climate change, researchers at the University of Queensland (Australia) warn. Yet, the outlook in other parts of the world are more positive as “our modelling shows mangroves are likely to persist […]
Severe tropical storm “Lando” has intensified into typhoon and is now threatening the Aurora-Isabela area as 14 areas in Luzon are now under public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday. PAGASA defines a typhoon an intense tropical cyclone with […]
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte filed Thursday his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for mayor, finally ending all speculations he would eventually plunge into the presidential race in 2016. Duterte issued a special power of attorney for his executive assistant Lawrence “Bong” Go and City Administrator Melchor Quitain to file his candidacy at […]
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that an individual can file Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for different positions within the five-day filing period. But Comelec spokesman James Jimenez noted that based on their guidelines, a COC filed for more than one office will be deemed as invalid. According to Comelec […]
It is confirmed. Feisty Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is running for president in the 2016 elections. The bonus announcement this Thursday also include the confirmation her running mate is Ilocano senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. READ: Also running: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago joins 2016 presidential derby? Santiago said she will […]
Tropical storm “Lando” has maintained its strength and will threaten most parts of Luzon in the next two to three days or until weekend, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday. In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said that as of 4 a.m. […]
Duterte’s daughter, executive assistant, councilors shave head to convince him to run Former city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio posted a photo of her with a shaven head with several hashtags on Instagram, stirring netizens to believe it could be a sign of bigger things to come. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s executive assistant […]
Senators Grace Poe Llamanzares and Francis “Chiz” Escudero are jointly filing today their Certificates of Candidacy for president and vice-president, respectively, at the national offices of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila. Not to be out done, the Liberal Party official standard bearers Sen. Mar Roxas and CamSur 3rd […]
Feisty Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is joining the 2016 presidential derby, among others, with some already filed their Certificate of Candidacy with the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila. Yesterday, Santiago expressed she is in the pink of health and just ready to take another chance for presidential run. […]
A New Zealand judge on Tuesday ruled Trade Minister Tim Groser had acted unlawfully in refusing to release documents regarding the controversial 12-nation Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. In a verdict issued by the High Court, Justice David Collins quashed Groser’s decision to withhold official papers requested under the country’s […]
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Monday afternoon announced with finality that he is not running for president. “..this is indeed a beautiful day to end a wild dream,” Duterte said at the end of his unsigned press statement. But for his supporters in Davao, Duterte said he will seek a re-election […]
Election violence: Zamboanga Sibugay town mayor killed in ambush; vice mayor, 5 others wounded First day of filing of certificate of candidacy, and the first recorded pre-election violence occured in Zamboanga Sibugay province. [flexiblemap address=”Tungawan,Zamboanga Sibugay” country=”Philippines” region=”Asia” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”200px” zoom=”9″ ] the town mayor of Tungawan was killed […]
NCRPO increase police presence during COC filing period With the start in filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of politicians, police presence will be beefed up in Metro Manila. Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, Regional Director of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), on Sunday ordered all district directors in […]
Thousands of politicians aspiring for national or local positions are expected to troop to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices nationwide to file their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) as the five-day filing period starts on Monday, Oct. 12. With this, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista reminded national candidates and […]
At least 95 people were killed and 246 injured after two suspected suicide bombings struck a peace rally Saturday in Turkey’s capital Ankara, the Turkish prime minister’s office said. Some of the wounded are in intensive care, the office said. [flexiblemap address=”Ankara, Turkey” region=”EU” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”200px” zoom=”9″ ] The […]
It is interesting that Albay first district Rep. Edcel B. Lagman Jr. has filed a house bill seeking mandatory resignation for all elective officials who wish to run for any position other than the one they are currently holding. Lagman’s House Bill 6210 will amend the provision in the Fair […]
Facebook is testing in Europe, specifically in Ireland and Spain an up and coming feature that one day could be implemented “Facebook-wide.” I am referring to the “Dislike” button that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced last month. But not the great “Dislike” one can think of. This could be the […]
Masbate governor, and former 3rd district congresswoman Rizalina Seachon-Lanete was axed by the Office of the Ombudsman from her post for the anomalous utilization of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) amounting to P112.29 million between 2007 and 2009. Seachon is being detained in Bicutan, Taguig City. Also included in the […]
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Friday the bill that would make election service voluntary for public school teachers. House Bill No. 5412, which will be known as the “Election Service Reform Act,” is entitled “An Act making election service non-compulsory for public school teachers, […]
P3.002-Trillion 2016 budget gets nod from House of Representatives The House of Representatives on Friday approved on third and final reading the proposed P3.002 trillion national budget for 2016. The approval was made possible after Malacañang certified the measure as urgent. House Bill 6132, or the General Appropriations Bill of […]
The Philippine peso surged against the US dollar on Wednesday on more negative economic data from the US as higher expectation for Fed rate delay. It ended the day at P46.14, or P0.33 better than the P46.47 in the previous trading. A trader partly attributed this to the widening of […]
Malacanang wished resigned Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino as President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledged his decision to withdraw from the LIberal Party senatorial lineup. Earlier, MMDA chairperson Francis Tolentino resigned from his post as MMDA chief on Wednesday to prepare to run for higher office in […]
The Japanese government resigned en masse at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday after submitting applications to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. [flexiblemap address=”Tokyo, Japan” region=”Asia” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”250px” zoom=”9″ ] The cabinet had to be renewed after Abe was re-elected as a leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in […]
Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen vowed Denmark will have the final say on its asylum and migration policies. The European Union (EU) is struggling to accommodate hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers from the war-torn Middle East, Asia and Africa. [flexiblemap address=”Copenhagen, Denmark” region=”EU” directions=”true” width=”100%” height=”250px” zoom=”9″ ] Last […]
Former senator Joker Arroyo, 88, died of heart attack in a hospital overseas Monday. Joker represented the first district of Makati City for three terms from 1992 to 2001 and later as senator from 2001 to 2013. Arroyo has received various awards and commendations for his significant contributions to the […]
The 79-year-old mother of Camarines Sur 3rd district congresswoman Rep. Leni Robredo, Mrs. Salvacion “Sally” Santo Tomas Gerona, has advised her daughter to put her best foot forward and make her own judgment. Robredo, who had second thoughts of becoming the running mate of the Liberal Party standard bearer following […]
Senator Marcos has edge over Bicolano aspirants for the vice-presidency? There is no hiding the fact on veteran senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s belief that Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. will have a distinct advantage in the vice presidential race in 2016. ”It’s all very obvious. The Bicolanos will have to […]
Vice-presidentiasquabbles of Bicolanos loom in 2016 national elections The upcoming 2016 national elections will make a mark in history for Bicol and the nation. It will be the first instance when the (national) position for vice president will be contested, among others, by four Bicolano politicians. It is a total […]
Pushover: Robredo abandons 3rd district of CamSur, will run as VP for LP ticket The push and pull tactic of the Liberal Party camp has succeeded. Camarines Sur 3rd district congresswoman Leni Robredo is jumping-in as the official vice-presidential candidae to tandem with Mar Roxas. Robredo, a first term congressman […]
Watch here as Pope Francis offers the Holy Mass for the Opening of the Synod 2015 in Vatican. The opening of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops commences in Vatican with a mass celebration by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Starts at 10.00 am. October 4, […]
Amazing how government funds and technology work for the betterment of the people. Check out this Youtube video of how Russia is rushing the construction of the 19-kilometer bridge that will link the Crimean peninsula to mainland Russia. In the homefront, Bicolanos, particularly those in Catanduanes and neighboring areas can […]
The Vatican is set to canonize on October 18th 2015 blesseds Louis Martin and Zelie Martin, the parents of Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, who in the Catholic and Christian world is well known as Saint Thérèse (of Lisieux) of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Doctor of the Church. Pope Francis […]
Stop circulating the Facebook privacy hoax now! I can’t take it anymore. Too many people, educated and otherwise have fallen prey to the hoax circulating in the most popular social media site, the Facebook. Many friends and associates have taken to circulating and multiplying everything of the hoax, all of […]
Pope Francis in Philadelphia, USA, Greetings and Farewell Ceremony This is the last day of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to the United States of America on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families. On this live stream coverage, the focus is his greeting the organizing committee, volunteers, benefactors, and […]
Pope Francis in Philadelphia, USA, offers Holy Mass concluding the World Meeting of Families 2015. This is the live stream coverage on Pope Francis presiding at celebration of Holy Mass which concludes the World Meeting of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, USA. Scheduled for Sep 27, 2015. Local […]
On the occasion of his Apostolic Visit to the USA, the Holy Father, Pope Francis is devoting time to visit detainees at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. Scheduled for Sep 27, 2015 Local Time 10.50/12.00 Full Transcript of Pope’s remark on his visit to the prison: Dear Brothers and Sisters, […]
Continuing here the live stream sharing coverage of Pope Francis in Philadelphia, with the spotlight on meeting with Bishops, guests of the World Meeting of Families. Pope Francis meets the Bishops, guests of the World Meeting of Families in the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia Scheduled for Sep 27, […]
Pope Francis in the USA – Celebration for families and vigil of prayer Pope Francis in Philadelphia participates in the celebration for families and vigil of prayer at the B. Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Scheduled for Sep 27, 2015 Local Time (Saturday 26 september): 19.30/21.00:
Pope Francis in Philadelphia, Meeting for Religious Freedom. Watch the live stream here. Keep watch as the Holy Father participates in the meeting for religious freedom with the Hispanic community and other immigrants in Independence Hall, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Scheduled for Sep […]
Holy Mass with Bishops, Clergy, Men and Women Religious of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia The Holy Father in Pennsylvania. Pope Francis presides at celebration of Holy Mass with Bishops, Clergy, Men and Women Religious of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Scheduled for […]
Pope Francis in New York, Holy Mass in Madison Square Garden Pope Francis presides at the celebration of Holy Mass in New York, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Watch the live stream event as scheduled for Sep 25, 2015 Local Time (Friday 25 September) […]
Pope Francis in the U.S. – Visit to a School and meeting with immigrants Pope Francis visits the School “Our Lady Queen of the Angels” and meets children and families of immigrants in New York, from Harlem, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Scheduled for […]
Pope Francis in the USA – Interreligious meeting at Ground Zero WAtch and join the Holy Father, as Pope Francis participates in the inter religious meeting at the Ground Zero Memorial in New York City, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Scheduled for Sep 25, […]
Pope Francis in the USA – Visit to the United Nations After spending his first days in Washington, D.C., the Holy Father visits New York, this time to speak before the United Nations General Assembly. Watch the live stream event and check out the message of Pope Francis. Scheduled for […]
The continuing live stream coverage of the Holy Father, Pope Francis Apostolic journey to the USA. This episode features the Pope Francis in the USA – Vespers with Clergy. Pope Francis celebrates Vespers with Clergy, Men and Women Religious in New York, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to […]
Pope Francis in the USA – Visit to the Charity Center and meeting with the homeless. This live stream coverage features Pope Francis as he visits the Parish of St. Patrick’s Charity Center. The Holy Father will meet the homeless, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United […]
Pope Francis visits Congress of the United States of America, where he will deliver a discourse at a joint session, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the country. Scheduled for Sep 24, 2015 Local time: 9.20/11.00 AM
Pope Francis in the USA – Holy Mass and Canonization of Fr. Junipero Serra Watch here as Pope Francis presides at the celebration of Holy Mass for the Canonization of Blessed Fr. Junipero Serra, on the occasion of his apostolic visit to the United States. Scheduled for Sep 23, 2015
Scheduled for Sep 23, 2015. Watch here as Pope Francis meets with the Bishops of the United States of America at St Matthew’s Cathedral.
Pope Francis in the USA- Welcome ceremony and visit to the President Scheduled for Sep 23, 2015. Pope Francis participates in the Welcome ceremony at the White House and meets the President of the United States of America.
The Pope’s Apostolic Journey to the United States Watch here the full coverage of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to the United States. Pope Francis arrives by air in Washington D.C., where his apostolic visit to the United States begins for the occasion of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. […]
Pope Francis in Cuba – Farewell ceremony at the Airport. Watch here the farewell ceremony at the airport in Cuban capital of Santiago to Pope Francis. Scheduled for Sep 22, 2015. After a successful Apostolic Visit to the Caribbean island-nation of Cuba, Pope Francis concludes his journey at the international […]
Senator Grace Poe on Monday confirmed that she and individuals who introduced themselves as her ‘siblings’ underwent DNA test in an attempt to trace her biological parents and Filipino lineage as well. Poe said the individuals who approached her had shown picture but she did not elaborate whether they are […]
A former Albay solon and veteran politician expressed that Bagong Umaga presidential hopeful Senator Grace Poe does not deserve the presidential post. Former representative Edcel C. Lagman of the first district of Albay, said Poe does not deserve the presidency after she deliberately cut off allegiance to the Republic of […]
What better way to protest the slow internet speed prevailing in the Philippines? Well, hackers took possession of the National Telecommunications Commission website on Sunday. The main purpose could be to show a strong protest on the very slow, in fact, one of the lowest internet speed in the world. […]
Pope Francis at farewell ceremony in Kenya, starts Uganda Apostolic Visit. Sharing here the live stream feeds direct from Vatican of Pope Francis Apostolic Visit to eastern African countries of Kenya and Uganda. The first feature video covers the farewell ceremony upon the Pope’s departure from Kenya for Entebbe in […]
Some world leaders, and even the mainstream media, didn’t get it. But at least, Pope Francis on Easter Sunday speaking after the special Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message and blessing, expressed his “heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka] wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to […]
MANILA, May 21 — The tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was host to the latest, the next-generation Airbus A350-900 XWB or extra wide body after touching down near Terminal 2 on Wednesday, at 11:15 a.m., 15 minutes ahead of the expected arrival schedule. Earlier, last week, the MIAA […]
In the season of change espoused by the President of the Philippines (POTP), elective government officials try to outsmart another with brilliant ideas so they would not be percieved as mere stones gathering moss on the pillars of their four cornered offices. Some fear lurks in their heart that President […]
In a typical move of politicians at safeguarding their turf and vested interest, some 500 local Bicol politicians dropped membership from their respective political parties and took their oath on Thursday morning in Legazpi city before House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez as new members of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. PDP-Laban […]
Will Metro Manila commute improve with a new traffic czar? This is in the mind of many as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation Arthur Tugade designates Highway Patrol Group Acting Director Sr. Supt. Antonio Gardiola as Metro Manila’s new traffic czar. That was after the heads gathered together […]
In a country gnawed with incessant and unperturbed corruption in all levels of the government and public service, the uncommon yet outstanding ideals that the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo represent, stood for, and lived by was as rare as the trace of water or liquid in the solar planet […]
The memory of the Maguindanao Mamasapano incident which resulted in the massacre of 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) unit of the Philippine National Police is not forgotten, it seems. On Monday the Philippine senate upheld previous ruling to reopen the Mamasapano incident investigation based on “new matters” […]
Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has planted a kiss of death on the presidential candidacy of Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas and his vice-presidential teammate Camarines Sur 3rd district representative Leni Robredo. This is the message that reverberates on the social media by concerned netizens after the president […]
Legazpi city, (PNA) — The Australian Agency for International Development will fund the construction of classrooms in areas of Bicol where Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) is being implemented. The AusAid has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social […]
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 12 — The UN Security Council on Sunday “condemned in the strongest terms” a terrorist attack in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, which killed at least 25 people, stressing that “those responsible for these killings should be held accountable.” The 15-nation UN body, in a press statement […]
Just thinking aloud, why is the Comelec shipping election paraphernalia a few days before the actual election, or midnight before election to be exact? So that it always comes to a frustrating situation where these materials either arrive late or never at all on actual election day.
The provincial government of Albay and Bicol Office of Civil Defense based in Legazpi city mounts a humanitarian team for the earthquake ravaged residents of the provinces of Bohol and Cebu in Central Visayas. The Visayan provinces was hard hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shaked its cities and […]
Video Response Cook Spicy Instant Noodles with Sprouted Mung Beans and Egg We are sharing here our quick answer to one of the queries on our YouTube channel about the sprouted mongo (mung) beans. Our pal from India encountered a situation where he observed that his sprouts taste bitter even […]
Remember the infamous case of Mary Jane Veloso? The Filipina OFW still languishing in death row in Indonesia for carrying illegal drugs in 2010 who claimed to be a victim of illegal recruiters. Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 88 of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija, this January […]
MANILA, Dec. 7 — The official count of individuals in safe evacuation centers is now reaching 716,000 according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday. The number comprises persons who joined pre-emptive evacuations before Typhoon “Ruby” hits land. In its 6 a.m. update, the council said […]
MANILA, Dec. 29 — Nine areas in Visayas and Mindanao are under storm signal #2 as Tropical Depression “Seniang” intensified into a Tropical Storm, according to state weather agency Pagasa on Monday. Areas under Storm Signal No. 2 are Bohol and Siquijor in Visayas; Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, […]
Pope Francis arrival and welcome ceremonies. Live stream coverage of the Papal visit, Pope Francis in the Philippines. This is the live stream coverage of the Pope in the Philippines. While Pope Francis is the third pope to visit the country, it will be the fourth visit by a pope. […]
Pope Francis brings to Vatican vestments used in PH masses. MANILA, Jan. 21 — Not only was Pope Francis impressed of the huge attendance during his public appearances. Other than the Pope mobile, he also liked the vestments he used during the Papal Visit. There were three vestment Pope Francis […]
Meralco forges cooperation with Fukushima nuclear reactor operator MANILA, Feb. 9 -– The Manila Electric Company has forged cooperation with Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc., to enhance disaster restorations and smart-grid tech to its 5.5 million customers. Tepco is the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plants more identified for its […]
MANILA, Feb. 17 — The Supreme Court (SC) en banc on Tuesday ruled with finality the disqualification case against Emilio Ramon “E.R” Ejercito as governor of Laguna for alleged “overspending” in the election campaign during the 2013 elections. This after the SC dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by Ejercito […]
MANILA, Feb. — Like a copy of gas service retail and store outlets in western countries, two investors are up to show the motorists and travelers in the Philippines the look and feel of one. That is, fill your car with gas, shop a little, eat some snacks and buy […]
ILOILO CITY, March 12 — Antique guv “cries” for slice of tourism pie, well not literally. The province of Antique appeals to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for a chance to show-off its natural and man-made tourism attractions which remained in oblivion. “Kami naman,” said newly installed Antique Governor Rhodora […]
MANILA, March 21 — How often do many hear this general observation and commentary that when there is smoke, there is probably a fire causing it. Now we read about the multi-million pesos payoff rumor to lawmakers just to make the passage of the much criticized government endeavor on peace […]