National
PCUP cites gains of agency's transfer to DSWD
December 12, 2018, 5:24 pm
MANILA – Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) chairman Alvin Feliciano welcomed the benefits of President Rodrigo Duterte's move to transfer the agency's supervision from the Office of the Cabinet Secretary to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In an interview… Read More
Panelo to ask Duterte about possible visit to US
December 12, 2018, 5:22 pm
MANILA -- Will President Rodrigo R. Duterte consider visiting the United States now that the Balangiga Bells have been returned to the country? Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he will ask the President during his attendance at the turnover of the church bells to town officials in… Read More
DAP hosts APO study mission on public sector productivity
December 12, 2018, 5:13 pm
MANILA -- The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) recently hosted the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) multi-country observational study mission on Regulatory Review: Enhancing Public Sector Productivity, a study mission aimed at promoting wider discussion and review of the… Read More
Freedom of expression in PH ‘robust’, Palace asserts
December 12, 2018, 5:02 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang described freedom of expression in the Philippines as “robust” after Time magazine named Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa as among the “guardians” featured in its 2018 Person of the Year cover story. Ressa is among Time’s guardians --four reporters and… Read More
House to continue probe on budget 'irregularities'
December 12, 2018, 5:00 pm
MANILA -- Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday said the House of Representatives will continue its investigation to uncover deeper issues on the alleged insertions in the proposed 2019 national budget, as well as the irregularities in the current year's appropriations. Andaya made the… Read More
Consultations on wage hike in Caraga ongoing: NWPC
December 12, 2018, 4:55 pm
MANILA — The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on Wednesday said consultations on the possible wage adjustment in Caraga are currently ongoing. "On going consultation. Public hearing still have to be scheduled by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board… Read More
Cops rescue 142 Aeta, Badjao beggars
December 12, 2018, 4:50 pm
MANILA -- Police have rescued a total of 142 members of indigenous peoples who are currently in Metro Manila to beg for alms in time for the Yuletide season. “Almost all of those rescued are in Quezon City while the Northern Police District has reported that it rescued three street beggars,”… Read More
PDEA to intensify crackdown vs drugs during the holidays
December 12, 2018, 4:45 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will intensify its operations, particularly against party drugs in time for the Christmas season. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the agency will conduct anti-drug operations in high-end bars, hotels, condominiums, and posh villages… Read More
PDEA to file raps over multi-billion shabu smuggling
December 12, 2018, 4:36 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will file a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against those involved in the smuggling of the four magnetic lifters found in a warehouse in Cavite last August. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino estimated that these… Read More
Panelo mulls creation of agency to check districts’ needs
December 12, 2018, 4:25 pm
MANILA -- Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday suggested the creation of an agency to check the needs of districts nationwide amid allegations of insertions in the PHP3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019. “The only mechanism that I have thought about is siguro… Read More
Palace to probe alleged 'favored contractor'
December 12, 2018, 3:56 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday said it will look into claims made by a House leader that a favored contractor bagged billions in government projects in the PHP3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after House Majority… Read More
Manila-Basco flights cancelled due to bad weather
December 12, 2018, 3:56 pm
MANILA -- Skyjet's flights M8 816/817 (Manila-Basco-Manila) were cancelled on Wednesday due to bad weather in Basco, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said. No other airlines reported flight cancellations due to bad weather in Batanes, as of Wednesday noon. According to the… Read More
DOJ to press for travel ban vs. Trillanes
December 12, 2018, 3:37 pm
MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday clarified that they will ask the Davao court handling the criminal cases against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to issue a travel ban against the lawmaker. "We are not withdrawing the motion for (the) issuance of an HDO (hold departure order)… Read More
Balangiga Bells on display for public viewing at PAF museum
December 12, 2018, 3:33 pm
MANILA -- The newly-returned Balangiga Bells will be on display and public viewing at the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Aerospace Museum at Villamor Air Base, Sales Road, Pasay City until Thursday. In a statement Wednesday, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said that entry is at Gate 4 of the… Read More
DND, AFP laud Congress nod on ML extension in Mindanao
December 12, 2018, 3:29 pm
MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year. "The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are grateful for the… Read More
Women urged to speak up vs. violence
December 12, 2018, 3:29 pm
MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte is urging women to speak up against violence, especially victims of any forms of harassment, violence, and abuse. “Speak up. Do not be afraid nor be ashamed to report because the city government is here to provide any kind of assistance to punish the… Read More
Congress move to extend ML 'positive dev't': Palace
December 12, 2018, 3:28 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday thanked the two houses of Congress for granting President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law for another year in Mindanao. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the approval by Congress of the extension of martial law and the suspension of… Read More
DOJ summons 2 gov't docs for Dengvaxia probe
December 12, 2018, 3:24 pm
MANILA – Prosecutors have summoned two government physicians whom the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to include in the criminal charges over the multi-billion-peso Dengvaxia vaccine fiasco. In separate subpoenas dated Dec. 10, the DOJ asked Dr. Raymundo W.… Read More
SC halts motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas ops
December 12, 2018, 3:06 pm
MANILA -- Online motorcycle backride service provider Angkas will have to suspend operations following a temporary restraining order (TRO) handed down by the Supreme Court (SC). In a two-page order dated Dec. 5 and released Wednesday, the SC's Second Division ruled in favor of a petition filed by… Read More
PCUP targets MMA training to aid poor Pinoys, prevent drug use
December 12, 2018, 3:06 pm
MANILA - The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) is pushing for sports development, particularly in mixed martial arts (MMA), as a means to improve the lives of poor Filipinos in the urban areas and help prevent youth crime and drug use. In his speech at the Memorandum of Agreement… Read More
