National

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

House approves all 19 LEDAC bills before June target: Speaker

House approves all 19 LEDAC bills before June target: Speaker

March 19, 2024, 3:31 pm

MANILA – The House of Representatives has fulfilled its commitment to pass all 19 priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) three months ahead of the June 2024 target. Speaker Martin Romualdez reported this to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday… Read More

Senate seeks probe into management of protected areas

Senate seeks probe into management of protected areas

March 19, 2024, 3:27 pm

MANILA – A Senate resolution was filed Tuesday requesting the appropriate committee to investigate reports of alleged exploitation or defacement of protected areas, like the Upper Marikina River Basin in Rizal province, Siargao Island, Bohol, and the Mt. Apo Natural Park. Senator Cynthia Villar,… Read More

Red-free Surigao del Norte ‘significant milestone’ in anti-NPA drive

Red-free Surigao del Norte ‘significant milestone’ in anti-NPA drive

March 19, 2024, 2:17 pm

MANILA – The declaration of Surigao del Norte as an insurgency-free province highlights the government's ongoing efforts against the New People's Army (NPA) and its allies, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said. "This achievement is commendable and marks a significant milestone in… Read More

DSWD cites short, long-term support for poor girls, women

DSWD cites short, long-term support for poor girls, women

March 19, 2024, 12:49 pm

MANILA – The Philippine government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting the lives of poor girls and women through various social protection programs. Speaking at an interactive expert dialogue at the 68th Session of the United… Read More

US, PH, Japan leaders to hold first trilateral summit in April

US, PH, Japan leaders to hold first trilateral summit in April

March 19, 2024, 12:41 pm

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to hold a trilateral leaders’ summit with his United States and Japanese counterparts on April 11 at the White House, the first of its kind between the three states. The White House on Tuesday said Marcos, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese… Read More