MANILA, June 27, 2012— There is nothing wrong with the Aquino administration helping other countries but it should first prioritize the needs of the country, at least two Catholic bishops said.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said it would be better for President Benigno Aquino III to address first the pressing problems of the country that needs immediate attention.

For the government’s help to other countries to be more sincere, it should first start solve the problems at its own backyard.

MANILA, June 27, 2012— An attempt to intimidate some witnesses to the murder of Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio last year by threatening them with death was revealed Wednesday by the victim’s fellow missionary.

In a radio interview, Fr. Peter Jeremiah of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission said some people accused in the crime continue to make threats, as the investigation is ongoing.

It was once the home of Spanish Governor Generals. The Americans made it a social hub for the country's elite while the Japanese transformed it into a garrison. After all these changes, Malacañang Palace still stands proudly on the banks of the Pasig River -- where it is now both seat of government and official home of the Philippine President.

The ultimate search for the next big Kapuso stars is now in full swing as GMA Network’s PROTÉGÉ: THE BATTLE FOR THE BIG ARTISTA BREAK, culminates its nationwide auditions with an overwhelming number of Pinoy hopefuls all over the country.

GMA Network’s Afternoon Prime block continues its nationwide TV ratings supremacy after its latest drama, Faithfully, dominated its timeslot with high numbers during its pilot week, according to data from the industry’s widely trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

GMA Films’ The Road continues its international success after being included in iTunes Top Horror Movie Sales as of June 25 (Manila Time).

Unknown to most peoples of ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar/Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) there is now an on-going regional effort to come up with an "ASEAN Human Rights Declaration" or AHRD. Tasked with this initiative is the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

The AICHR first convened for the AHRD early this year on Jan. 8-9, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. There it resolved to finish the new document before the year ends.

In the Philippines, where heavy typhoons and monsoon winds are a common occurrence, fast, accurate and credible weather forecasts are crucial. Knowing fully well that weather is serious business and should not be taken lightly, the country’s leading broadcast news organization, GMA News and Public Affairs, launches GMA Weather, the most comprehensive and reliable weather information source on Philippine television.

MANILA, June 25, 2012— The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has sought the “immediate” transfer of “Mali,” a 38-year-old elephant from Manila Zoo to a sanctuary in Thailand.

“Mali might have a few years to live but these remaining years will be more expressive of man’s compassion towards God’s other creatures,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

MANILA, June 22, 2012—Private colleges and universities will be financially challenged to maintain their operation and compensate their teaching staff with the expected decrease of enrollees starting 2017.

Administrators of private schools offering tertiary education, including those under the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), said they are bracing for the expected drop in freshman admissions as a result of the implementation of Kindergarten to 12 (K to 12) basic education program this school year.