Philippines Roundup: Cambodia frees jailed surrogate mothers, gambling ban prompts foreigners' exodus, Golden Globes coverage
Cambodia pardons jailed surrogate Philippine mothers
Cambodia has taken the significant step of pardoning and repatriating 13 Philippine women who were imprisoned for participating in a prohibited surrogacy scheme, which was deemed as attempted human trafficking. Initially detained in September, these women received four-year prison sentences in December, and upon their return to Manila, they were accompanied by three babies, with ten of the women still pregnant. Arab News reports that the Cambodian court highlighted substantial evidence indicating the intent to commercialise the babies, reflecting the complexities surrounding surrogacy laws. In Cambodia, surrogacy is illegal, while the Philippines lacks explicit legislation on the subject, leading to a legal grey area. Despite the prohibition, the demand for surrogacy continues to surge, particularly from Chinese couples seeking options.
Typhon missile to be deployed to boost PH deterrence capabilities
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has declared that the deployment of the Typhon missile system is aimed at fortifying the country's defence capabilities, asserting it is not meant to threaten any other nation. He affirmed the Philippines' entitlement to enhance its national security and sovereignty without instigating conflict. In light of criticism from China, which warned that the missile deployment might trigger an arms race, Año described such assertions as unfounded speculation. According to GMA News, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. echoed this sentiment, justifying the deployment as legal and necessary. The Typhon system, known as the Strategic Mid-range Fires System, is a versatile U.S. Army launcher with the capability to fire advanced missiles and has already participated in joint exercises with allied forces in 2024.
Golden Globes to air live on Lionsgate Play in the Philippines
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards are set to be broadcast live on Lionsgate Play in the Philippines on January 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., reports Back End News. This prestigious event celebrates outstanding achievements in film and television, introducing new award categories that include Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television and Cinematic Box Office Achievement. Noteworthy nominees for Best Picture encompass "The Substance," "The Brutalist," and "Dune: Part Two," with prominent acting nominations featuring talents such as Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet, and Ariana Grande. In addition, popular television series like "The Bear" and "Nobody Wants This" are contending for top accolades, marking an exciting year for the Globes, which will showcase a total of 27 award categories.
Fil-Am jailed for ‘murder’ of family members the day after Christmas
A 23-year-old Filipino American individual has been taken into custody in connection with the stabbing deaths of three family members—8-year-old Mia Chantelle Narvaez, 16-year-old Paul Sebastian Manangan, and 44-year-old Rona Nate—in Baldwin Park, California, on December 26. Eyewitnesses reported the sounds of screams and pleas for assistance before law enforcement intervened to discover all three victims deceased at the scene. The investigation is active, and authorities are appealing for public assistance in gathering information regarding the incident, CDN reports.
Philippines' online gambling ban prompts foreign worker exodus
In a notable policy shift, the Philippine government has announced a ban on online casinos catering to overseas customers, a decision that will come into effect by the end of the year. As reported by Nikkei Asia, this mandate, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stems from rising concerns over criminal activities associated with the online gambling industry, which has led to the anticipated departure of approximately 24,000 foreign workers from the Philippines as a direct consequence of the new regulation.
