National
MMDA defers closure of Marcos Bridge's eastbound lane
May 2, 2019, 7:57 pm
MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday deferred the May 4 closure of the eastbound lane of Marcos Bridge in Marikina City. After a meeting with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, its private contractor and SM Marikina, MMDA officials… Read More
No pre-shaded ballots for May 13 polls: Comelec
May 2, 2019, 7:42 pm
MANILA -- An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said there is no truth to allegations that official ballots for the May 13 mid-term elections have been pre-shaded. Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr. denied claims that the ballots have been marked using… Read More
Blogger linked to destab plot video faces inciting to sedition rap
May 2, 2019, 7:24 pm
MANILA -- Embattled blogger Rodel Jayme underwent inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ) Thursday after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended charges of "inciting to sedition" against him. In its charge sheet filed before the inquest prosecutor, the NBI Task… Read More
DOLE awaiting report on OFWs repatriation from Libya
May 2, 2019, 7:05 pm
MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said it has yet to receive the report of its augmentation team on the timeline of the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, said that aside from the schedule of sending… Read More
DFA exec sees highest OAV turnout this 2019 polls
May 2, 2019, 6:14 pm
MANILA -- A ranking Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official sees the highest overseas voter turnout for the 2019 mid-term elections as Filipinos seemed "more enthusiastic" in exercising their right of suffrage. “I can safely say that this, on record, will be the highest ever senatorial… Read More
Decriminalizing drug use will ‘multiply’ problem
May 2, 2019, 5:44 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang on Thursday rejected the suggestion of former New Zealand Minister Helen Clark to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs, saying it will worsen the Philippines’ narcotics problems. “Decriminalizing the use of drugs in the Philippines will not only aggravate but multiply… Read More
2018 Bar exam results out Friday
May 2, 2019, 5:13 pm
MANILA -- The much-awaited list of the country's new lawyers may be released on Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) confirmed. The total examinees — 8,155 in all — is the most number so far in the history of the Bar examinations. The 2018 Bar Examination held last November is the 117th in the… Read More
DOJ probes blogger for leads on destab plot video bankrollers
May 2, 2019, 5:08 pm
MANILA -- Criminal charges of inciting to sedition, child abuse, and cyber libel are among the cases being prepared against Rodel Jayme, a person of interest invited by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for spreading a video smearing the family of President Rodrigo Duterte. "For now we… Read More
American wanted for child abuse to be deported
May 2, 2019, 4:29 pm
MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport a 33-year-old American wanted by US federal authorities for sexually abusing a child in Mississippi in 2013. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Charles Roy Atkinson will be deported following his arrest by operatives of the BI’s fugitive… Read More
Filing of charges vs. ‘Bikoy’ videos uploader left to NBI
May 2, 2019, 4:22 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang on Thursday said it will leave to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) whether to file charges against the suspected uploader of videos, which implicated the family and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador… Read More
New rules on benefits to power plant host communities approved
May 2, 2019, 4:17 pm
MANILA -- The Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) approved the revised rules on the financial benefits to communities hosting the country’s power plants. The JCPC, chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, approved several amendments to the… Read More
Palace on IRR for Expanded Maternity Leave: 'Good for the family'
May 2, 2019, 4:12 pm
MANILA -- The signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210) will benefit Filipino families, Malacañang said on Thursday. “Makakabuti sa pamilya ‘yun (It’s good for the family),” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a… Read More
Lacson may run for president again in 2022
May 2, 2019, 4:06 pm
MANILA -- Senator Panfilo Lacson is keeping the door open to the possibility of a presidential run in 2022. In a television interview, Lacson said he is open to run for president under the condition that he has a “clear chance” of winning. “When people talk to me about the possibility of… Read More
OFWs, journalists join 'press freedom' caravan in HK
May 2, 2019, 4:04 pm
MANILA — Around 100 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong have expressed their support and trust in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte during the two-day press freedom caravan organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). The OFWs participated in the… Read More
Security preparations for May 13 polls 'all set': PNP
May 2, 2019, 3:39 pm
MANILA -- More than a week before the campaign period wraps up, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said security measures are all set as 160,000 police personnel will be deployed for the May 13 mid-term elections. Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said the police force will remain on full… Read More
Oversight body looks into solutions vs. power outages
May 2, 2019, 3:10 pm
MANILA -- The Joint Congressional Power Commission on Thursday convened a public hearing to find solutions to address the recent spate of power outages in Luzon. The hearing, which was called to order on the heels of the simultaneous power plant shutdowns, was presided by Senate committee on… Read More
Fariñas withdraws gubernatorial bid; to retire from politics
May 2, 2019, 3:05 pm
MANILA -- Following his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Thursday announced that he would be retiring from politics after his term ends in June. The 67-year-old lawmaker, who filed his withdrawal at the Commission on Elections earlier in… Read More
Over 600 quake-affected families remain in evacuation centers
May 2, 2019, 2:50 pm
MANILA -- The number of families affected by the magnitude 6.1-magnitude earthquake that rocked Luzon last April 22 has now reached 3,630, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 6 a.m. update Thursday. This is equivalent to 18,086 persons residing in 41… Read More
Manila Bay rehab: DILG to summon 1K non-compliant village execs
May 2, 2019, 2:45 pm
MANILA -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to issue a show cause order against 1,000 of the 5,714 barangays for defying orders to strictly enforce environmental laws in their respective areas along the Manila Bay Watershed Area. Citing Memorandum Order No. 2019-09,… Read More
UP enters Top 100 universities list in Asia
May 2, 2019, 2:42 pm
MANILA -- The University of the Philippines (UP) climbed to the 95th place among the top universities in Asia, London-based magazine and provider of higher education data, Times Higher Education (THE), announced Wednesday. Since 2017, UP has been in the THE rankings for Asia but this is the first… Read More
