National

CA orders Marikina judge out of SMHC theft case vs. Indonesian bizman
July 30, 2018, 5:57 pm
MANILA -- The Court of Appeals (CA) granted the petition filed by San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC), the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), asking for the inhibition of a Marikina court judge from handling the qualified theft charges against Indonesian businessman Shadik… Read More

JBC: Initial evaluation of 5 CJ bets set August 3
July 30, 2018, 5:35 pm
MANILA -- The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to convene on Aug. 3 for the initial evaluation on the five candidates vying for the position of Chief Justice (CJ), Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday. The five candidates who managed to beat the July 26 deadline for the… Read More

DOLE officials back Bello, reject corruption allegations
July 30, 2018, 5:31 pm
MANILA -- Senior officials and employees of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed their support for Secretary Silvestre Bello III amid corruption allegations hurled against him. In a five-page Manifesto of Support signed on Monday, the officials - headed by Undersecretaries Claro… Read More

Martires to prioritize speedy resolution of cases as new Ombudsman
July 30, 2018, 4:55 pm
MANILA -- Outgoing Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires on Monday said he will prioritize looking into the cause of delays in the resolution of pending cases, as he takes over as the new Ombudsman. “My priorities will be the pending cases, the issue on inordinate delay which has been… Read More

Arroyo bats for creation of House disaster management panel
July 30, 2018, 4:24 pm
MANILA -- Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered for the creation of a disaster management committee at the House of Representatives. Arroyo bared the plan on Monday during a briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with lawmakers to discuss the effects… Read More

Over 100 recruitment firm execs express support for Bello
July 30, 2018, 4:16 pm
MANILA -- More than 100 officials and members of licensed recruitment agencies in the country on Monday expressed support to besieged Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III. In a press conference, a total of 110 manpower companies signed the Manifesto of Support to… Read More

PNP urges wanted militants to surrender
July 30, 2018, 4:01 pm
MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde reiterated his call for the voluntary surrender of four progressive leaders, who were ordered arrested by a Nueva Ecija court. "(W)e have received a copy of the arrest order issued by Honorable Evelyn Atienza Turla,… Read More

Senate execs, personnel undergo random drug testing
July 30, 2018, 3:37 pm
MANILA -- More than 300 officials and employees of the Senate on Monday were subjected to random drug testing, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Gregorio Honasan II, who volunteered to undergo the procedure. The random drug test is done annually at the Senate in compliance with… Read More

Duterte open to reviewing BOL provisions: Palace
July 30, 2018, 2:51 pm
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte is open to reviewing provisions in the recently signed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) if there are sectors that are not satisfied with it, Malacañang said on Monday. “I think the general sentiment of the President is if there are those who object, we’re… Read More

PH Navy prepares for acquisition of submarines
July 30, 2018, 2:47 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) is now conducting market research and doctrine studies on how to fully utilize the submarines it is planning to acquire as part of the efforts to modernize its fleet. The former refers to costing of an affordable submersible vessel while the latter refers to… Read More

NCRPO to probe death of suspect in prosecutor's slay
July 30, 2018, 1:52 pm
MANILA -- Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Supt. Joselito Esquivel said a full investigation will be undertaken by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on the circumstances surrounding the death of Angelo C. Avenido Jr., the suspect in the killing of Ombudsman… Read More

Albayalde vows action vs. profiteers
July 30, 2018, 12:52 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday vowed to act promptly against profiteers preying on the general public and endangering the country's food security. "Upon the guidance of President (Rodrigo) Duterte as embodied in the SONA (State of the Nation Address) we will aggressively… Read More

PNP chief: Recalibrated war on drugs relentless, chilling
July 30, 2018, 12:46 pm
MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said authorities will proceed and continue relentlessly with the war on drugs, reiterating that it welcomes constructive criticism and suggestions on fine-tuning the anti-criminality effort. "We are… Read More

DILG tasks LGUs to secure waters vs. destructive fishing
July 30, 2018, 12:45 pm
MANILA -- Local government officials have been directed to take a bigger role in securing aquatic resources and local officials may be held liable for failing to act against prohibited fishing activities in their respective areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said… Read More

LGU officials’ prompt action on work, school suspensions urged
July 30, 2018, 12:20 pm
MANILA -- Local officials should make prompt judgment calls on the suspension of work and classes in their respective areas when bad weather strikes. In a statement Monday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año said local chief executives who are… Read More

PH breaching US sanctions on Moscow firm 'illogical': Russian envoy
July 30, 2018, 12:03 pm
MANILA -- The Russian Embassy in Manila on Sunday said it is "illogical" to say that the Philippines could breach sanctions imposed by the United States against blacklisted Rosoboronexport if it finalized an arms deal with the state-run firm. In a statement, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines… Read More

PH monitors wildfire in N. California, no Pinoys affected: DFA
July 30, 2018, 11:56 am
MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is closely monitoring a fast-spreading wildfire in northern California that has already destroyed hundreds of structures and forced the evacuation of thousands. There are about 227 Filipinos in the city of Redding, California, which is being… Read More

Talks with ASG won't violate gov't no-negotiation policy: Lorenzana
July 30, 2018, 11:52 am
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte's proposal to talk peace with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits will not weaken the government's no-negotiation policy with terrorist groups. This was emphasized by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stressing that the policy refers to… Read More

PN trains personnel to use Chinese-donated patrol boats
July 30, 2018, 11:49 am
MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) has already assigned personnel to undergo training on the operation and maintenance on the four patrol boats donated by the People's Republic of China. This was bared by PN spokesperson Cmdr. Jonathan Zata in a message to reporters Sunday. "The equipment provided… Read More

Scattered rains expected in Mindoro, Palawan due to southwest monsoon
July 30, 2018, 11:42 am
MANILA --The southwest monsoon or "habagat" affecting western Luzon would bring scattered rain showers in some areas on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. In its 4 a.m. forecast, PAGASA said Mindoro and northern Palawan would… Read More