House Moves Closer to Revoking SMNI Franchise

 A bill seeking to take news channel Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) off the air was approved on second reading by the Philippine House of Representatives on March 13, 2024.

The House committee responsible for the legislation cited alleged violations by SMNI, including the broadcast of false information and the practice of publicly linking individuals or groups to communist activities without evidence ("red-tagging").

This approval signifies the second of three required readings for a bill to pass the House. If successful in the final reading, the bill will then be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.

SMNI has yet to publicly respond to the development.

Chocolate Hills Resort in Bohol Shuts Down Temporarily

 The Captain's Peak Garden and Resort, located within the protected area of the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines, announced a temporary closure on Wednesday, March 14, 2024.

This announcement comes amidst public criticism surrounding the resort's operations and a prior closure order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in September 2023. The DENR also stated the resort lacked an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and received a violation notice in January 2024.

While the resort's statement cites "maintenance and environmental preservation efforts" as the reason for closure, it coincides with the ongoing controversy and government actions.

Senator Nancy Binay has called for an investigation into the resort's permit acquisition process, while the DENR directed an inspection to assess the resort's compliance with the closure order.

The full extent of the closure and any potential future actions remain unclear.

German Firm Eyes Billion-Dollar Investment in Philippine Renewable Energy

 A German renewable energy company, wpd GmbH, has pledged significant investment in the Philippines' clean energy sector. This commitment follows discussions between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and company officials in Berlin.

• Total investment: wpd GmbH expressed interest in investing around PHP 392.4 billion (approximately USD 7.2 billion).
• Focus: The investment targets the development of offshore wind farms in Cavite, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras.
• Project details: These offshore wind projects boast a combined capacity of 3,260 megawatts (MW) and represent the largest foreign investment registered with the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) in 2023.

This move aligns with the Philippines' goal of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. Additionally, wpd GmbH is already involved in pre-development activities for five onshore wind and solar projects across the Ilocos Region, Aklan, Iloilo, Antique, and Bulacan. The pre-development projects encompass five wind and solar initiatives spread across various locations. These projects hold the potential to unlock PHP 56 billion in investments, with a combined capacity to generate 565 megawatts (MW) of clean energy.

This significant investment from Germany is expected to bolster the Philippines' renewable energy sector and contribute to the country's clean energy goals.

KKR Invests $400 Million to Expand Philippine Telecom Infrastructure

  US private equity giant KKR & Co. announced a significant investment of $400 million in the Philippines' telecom tower sector. This news follows a two-day trade mission led by the US Department of Commerce, which secured over $1 billion in total commitments from American firms.

KKR plans to utilize these funds to develop and acquire approximately 2,000 telecom towers. This expansion aims to enhance digital connectivity across the Philippines, a nation with over 113 million citizens.

The investment strengthens KKR's existing partnership with Pinnacle Towers, the Philippines' leading independent tower operator. KKR previously acquired a stake in Pinnacle Towers in 2020.

Czech Republic's Krystyna Pyszková Crowned Miss World 2024

 Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic has been crowned Miss World 2024. The grand finale was held on Saturday, March 9th, in Mumbai, India. Pyszková takes over the title from Karolina Bielawska of Poland.

This is the second time the Czech Republic has claimed the Miss World crown, with Taťána Kuchařová winning in 2006. Pyszková's victory also marks the Czech Republic's third "Big 4" pageant title, following Tereza Fajksová's Miss Earth win in 2012.

Philippines Bolsters Security Partnerships Amid South China Sea Tensions

 The Philippines has recently secured new security agreements with several countries, including the United States and Japan. This comes as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has maritime disputes with China.

The details of the agreements vary, but they generally focus on increased cooperation in areas like maritime security, joint military exercises, and defense equipment. Analysts believe these deals are intended to strengthen the Philippines' ability to patrol its territorial waters and deter Chinese assertiveness in the region.

China claims vast swathes of the South China Sea, despite objections from the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. The Philippines has previously challenged China's claims in international courts.

10 Filipino Seafarers Safe After Houthi Attack

 Ten Filipino seafarers are reported safe after a Houthi attack on their vessel in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week. While the attack tragically resulted in the deaths of two other crew members, the remaining Filipinos have been confirmed unharmed.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officials have been in contact with the crew and confirmed their wellbeing through a video call. The seafarers are currently secured in a hotel in Djibouti.

The Philippine government expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged full support.