National

P76.1-B health emergency allowance for 2021-2023 already released

P76.1-B health emergency allowance for 2021-2023 already released

March 19, 2024, 9:27 pm

MANILA – A total of PHP76.1 billion worth of health emergency allowance (HEA) has already been released to eligible public and private health workers. In a statement Tuesday night, the Department of Health (DOH) said the amount covers 8,549,207 claims for the period July 1, 2021 to July 20,… Read More

PBBM, Biden to meet in Washington to further strengthen PH-US ties

PBBM, Biden to meet in Washington to further strengthen PH-US ties

March 19, 2024, 9:25 pm

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and United States (US) President Joe Biden will hold a meeting in Washington next month to find ways to boost alliance, Malacañang said Tuesday.The Palace, through a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), announced that Marcos… Read More

PBBM to foreign investors: Join ‘exciting new phase’ of PH economy

PBBM to foreign investors: Join ‘exciting new phase’ of PH economy

March 19, 2024, 8:19 pm Updated on March 19, 2024, 8:54 pm

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday touted the “exciting new phase” in the Philippine economy as he invited foreign business leaders to consider investing in the country. Addressing global business leaders and decision makers who flew all the way to Manila to participate in… Read More

Lawmakers laud Marcos' bloodless campaign vs. drugs, criminality

Lawmakers laud Marcos' bloodless campaign vs. drugs, criminality

March 19, 2024, 7:59 pm

MANILA – Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Tuesday commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his commitment to maintaining law and order without resorting to violence. In a press conference, PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles said the law enforcement strategy of the Marcos… Read More

PBBM hopes for PH, US success in easing Indo-Pacific tension

PBBM hopes for PH, US success in easing Indo-Pacific tension

March 19, 2024, 7:42 pm

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that the actions taken by the Philippines and the United States (US) will be successful in lowering the tension in the Indo-Pacific region.Marcos made the statement during his meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony… Read More

Expect price hike on fish as Holy Week nears: DA

Expect price hike on fish as Holy Week nears: DA

March 19, 2024, 7:39 pm

MANILA – Prices of fish are expected to increase as the Holy Week approaches, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.  In an interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the price hike may be felt in wet markets, even more, starting Holy Monday.  “People are weaning… Read More

PH raises alert level 3 in Haiti due to 'unstable security'

PH raises alert level 3 in Haiti due to 'unstable security'

March 19, 2024, 7:35 pm

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday has placed Haiti under crisis alert level 3 due to the current "unstable security situation." Under said under the alert level, Filipinos are urged to voluntarily leave while deployment of new and returning Filipinos to Haiti are… Read More

Enhanced US-PH security ties ‘not targeted’ vs. any country

Enhanced US-PH security ties ‘not targeted’ vs. any country

March 19, 2024, 7:29 pm Updated on March 19, 2024, 9:31 pm

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States’ steadily growing security ties are "not targeted" against any country, the two states’ top diplomats said Tuesday amid China’s accusation that the US is using the country as a “pawn to destabilize” the South China Sea. On numerous… Read More

Non-bailable raps filed vs. Quiboloy before Pasig, Davao courts

Non-bailable raps filed vs. Quiboloy before Pasig, Davao courts

March 19, 2024, 7:23 pm

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced indictments before the Davao and Pasig courts against embattled pastor Apollo Quiboloy arising from allegations of sexual and child abuse. In a statement, DOJ spokesperson Undersecretary Mico Clavano said the charges filed before the… Read More

Gov't must set higher vaccination budget for elderly – health expert

Gov't must set higher vaccination budget for elderly – health expert

March 19, 2024, 7:22 pm

MANILA – The national government must allocate higher budget for free vaccination of all senior citizens, a health expert said Tuesday. Philippine College of Physicians president Rontgene Solante said in a media forum in Manila that free vaccines for the elderly must not be limited to… Read More

SC affirms COA ruling on illegal PhilRice car plan

SC affirms COA ruling on illegal PhilRice car plan

March 19, 2024, 7:02 pm

MANILA – The Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Audit (COA) ruling declaring illegal the 2008 car plan scheme implemented by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) for its officials. The Court, however, found the officials of PhilRice not liable to refund PHP10.4 million to the… Read More

Bills improving education delivery get House final nod

Bills improving education delivery get House final nod

March 19, 2024, 6:56 pm

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved several bills aimed at improving the delivery of education. During the plenary session, 255 lawmakers unanimously approved House Bill (HB) No. 9936, which seeks to provide the Department of Education the flexibility to use different… Read More

Review on alleged missing coffee seedlings underway: DA

Review on alleged missing coffee seedlings underway: DA

March 19, 2024, 6:30 pm

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said there is an ongoing review of the distribution of coffee seedlings nationwide following reports from the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) that millions have gone missing.  In an earlier report, the PCAFI said… Read More

Insurgency in BARMM ‘pains’ Zubiri, salutes AFP for peace efforts

Insurgency in BARMM ‘pains’ Zubiri, salutes AFP for peace efforts

March 19, 2024, 6:22 pm

MANILA – Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday he was “hurt” after hearing the death of four soldiers of the Philippine Army in an ambush that recently happened in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. "Being the author of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), it pains me to see… Read More

14 PBBM priority measures enacted into law

14 PBBM priority measures enacted into law

March 19, 2024, 6:15 pm

MANILA – A total of 14 priority measures of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that were included in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) have so far been enacted into law, Malacañang said Tuesday.In a statement, the Palace said… Read More

BuCor chief's car shot in QC; driver, companion unhurt

BuCor chief's car shot in QC; driver, companion unhurt

March 19, 2024, 5:06 pm

MANILA – Death threats in recent months culminated in a gun attack on the vehicle of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. at the Skyway in Quezon City on Tuesday morning. The bulletproof pickup truck with plate no. WDQ 811 was on its way to pick up Deputy… Read More

House joint panel okays bills expanding benefits of seniors, PWDs

House joint panel okays bills expanding benefits of seniors, PWDs

March 19, 2024, 5:02 pm

MANILA – A joint panel of the House of Representatives approved on Tuesday three bills seeking to expand the benefits of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs). During a hearing, the House committees on senior citizens, disability affairs, and ways and means approved House Bills (HB)… Read More

Czech Republic's Agri ministry taps PH for 20K butcher workforce: DA

Czech Republic's Agri ministry taps PH for 20K butcher workforce: DA

March 19, 2024, 4:45 pm

MANILA – The Czech Republic's Ministry of Agriculture is in need of Filipino butchers and livestock personnel, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.  The agriculture ministry announced its intention to tap the Philippines during the working visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.… Read More

DILG-led Bohol Task Force starts Chocolate hills structures probe

DILG-led Bohol Task Force starts Chocolate hills structures probe

March 19, 2024, 3:51 pm

MANILA – Members of the Bohol Task Force are now in the province and have started a probe on the construction of a resort within the popular Chocolate Hills, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Tuesday. “Iimbestigahan naming mabuti ang buong… Read More

Senate issues arrest order vs. Quiboloy

Senate issues arrest order vs. Quiboloy

March 19, 2024, 3:34 pm Updated on March 19, 2024, 6:51 pm

MANILA – The Senate's Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) was given the green light to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the order on Tuesday. This is due to Quiboloy's continued refusal to appear before the inquiry… Read More