Media Coverage

The Diocese of Borongan has condemned the legal action filed by a mining company against six environmental defenders on Homonhon Island in the central Philippines. The diocese described the move as a “grave injustice” and an attack on those protecting God’s creation. In a statement, the Church in Borongan expressed solidarity with community leaders from Barangay Casuguran and Carmi Macapagao, president of the Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders (HEARD).

A faith-based group has welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) landmark advisory opinion affirming that states have a legal duty to act urgently on the climate crisis. The ruling recognizes that failure to prevent environmental harm is a wrongful act under international law. The Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI), an advocacy and development network, said the decision strengthens global efforts to confront environmental destruction and protect future generations.

The Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) affirms the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) historic advisory opinion on the obligations of States to act urgently to protect the climate system for both present and future generations1. It recognizes that States have clear legal responsibilities to prevent further environmental degradation, protect intergenerational equity, and safeguard global commons. Failure to act is now considered a “wrongful act” under international law. As a faith-based social development, and advocacy network committed to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Resources Conservation Management, Anti-mining Campaign, and the advancement of the Rights of Nature, PMPI celebrates this development as a timely and necessary reinforcement of our collective efforts for environmental protection, social equity, and intergenerational justice.

DAVAO CITY — Calls for justice are mounting following the fatal shooting of two civilian environmental defenders in Barangay Puntalinao, Banaybanay town, Davao Oriental on Saturday evening, July 26. According to the Davao Regional Police, the victims, identified as Rico Gonzaga Malubay and Rodolfo Delacruz Espe, both vendors, were shot multiple times by a lone gunman while sitting at a table near the vendors’ association area along the national highway.

The Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) affirms the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) historic advisory opinion on the obligations of States to act urgently to protect the climate system for both present and future generations1. It recognizes that States have clear legal responsibilities to prevent further environmental degradation, protect intergenerational equity, and safeguard global commons. Failure to act is now considered a “wrongful act” under international law. As a faith-based social development, and advocacy network committed to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Resources Conservation Management, Anti-mining Campaign, and the advancement of the Rights of Nature, PMPI celebrates this development as a timely and necessary reinforcement of our collective efforts for environmental protection, social equity, and intergenerational justice.

PMPI expresses deep concern over President Ferdinand “Bobong” Marcos, Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, which glaringly lacked any commitment to safeguarding biodiversity, upholding ecological integrity, or addressing the worsening climate crisis. The omission of urgent measures to halt environmentally destructive practices, such as large-scale mining and harmful development projects, is deeply troubling. Equally alarming is the absence of any recognition of human rights violations faced by environmental human rights defenders and indigenous peoples. These communities, which courageously protect their ancestral domains, continue to be among the most vulnerable to harassment, displacement, and violence, issues that were entirely ignored in the President’s speech.

Against the backdrop of the recently concluded Philippine Midterm Elections in May (in which most of the administration-backed candidates lost), the recent Supreme Court ruling that declared the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte as unconstitutional, and a recent spate of storms and massive flooding that hit the country (that put a spotlight on budget priorities and grand corruption), Marcos, Jr.—who is also battling a looming lame duck status—will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Para sa mga residente, hindi simbolo ng pag-unlad ang harap-harapang pagsira sa mga likas na yaman ng kanilang bayan. Malaki ang agam-agam ni Roberto Gimenez, 61, sa kasalukuyang Ahunan Dam Project sa Pakil, Laguna, dahil sa pagkalbo ng gubat at pagsira sa mga watershed areas na pinangungunahan ng mga awtoridad. Kabilang si Roberto sa mga miyembro ng Mamamayang Nagmamahal sa Pakil (MANAPAK) na nangangamba sa paglagas ng mga kagubatan at mga palayan kapag nagpatuloy ang naturang proyekto.

On Thursday, May 22, Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga tendered her resignation as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called for courtesy resignations from all cabinet members. She will be replaced by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla. Yulo-Loyzaga’s removal from office is almost surprising because she’s also a close relative of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. But critics, especially those in the environmental sector, will say it’s deserved.

Green Convergence, along with Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), held its April 2025 Kamayan Para Sa Kalikasan forum with the theme “Vote Green, Not Greed” on April 25, via Zoom and Facebook livestream, focusing on the electoral campaign agenda for the upcoming 2025 Midterm Elections produced by a broad coalition of organizations—the “Green Agenda 2025.” Green Convergence Vice President and Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute Executive Director Sr. Marvie Misolas started the forum with her opening remarks, commemorating the life of Pope Francis and his legacy as a “prophet of the poor” and linking it to the moral obligation of voting for leaders who will uphold environmental protection.

Metro Manila, Philippines – Environmental groups have released their lists of what they called “green” senatorial candidates to guide voters supporting those advocating climate justice and ecological protection. To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, the Luntiang Bayan coalition analyzed the 64 senatorial bets for the midterm polls against its eight-point environmental agenda.

MANILA (LiCAS News): The Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. [PMPI] launched its electoral education campaign, “Power of Purple” [PoP] on March 29, calling on Filipino voters to support senatorial candidates committed to sustainable development and social justice. The PoP campaign will evaluate and inform voters about the positions and policies of 26 senatorial candidates across four critical areas: Climate Crisis and Disasters, Environmental Protection, Livelihoods and Vulnerable Sectors, and Agriculture and Fisheries.