National

DOJ: Attacks basis for legally tagging CPP-NPA as terrorists

MANILA -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday cited numerous attacks made by Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in various provinces all over the country as basis to legally declare it as a terrorist group.Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, head of the... Read More

381 state agencies complied with FOI order for bonus grant: PCOO

MANILA -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office on Wednesday announced that 381 government agencies have complied with the Freedom of Information (FOI) requirements for the grant of performance-based bonus (PPB).As of Dec. 29, 2017, the PCOO said 160 out of 189 national government... Read More

Minor changes made in Traslacion 2018 route for safety

MANILA -- There will be minor changes in the route of the Traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene on its feast day on January 9 to ensure the safety of devotees.According to Traslacion 2018 - Technical Working Committee head Bro. Alex Erasca, this year’s procession will now be on a... Read More

Palace defers naming latest official to be axed

MANILA -- Malacanang on Wednesday deferred the announcement of the next government official to be fired by President Rodrigo Duterte.“Although I was directed to announce as early as December 30, the instruction was to announce in our next press briefing, which is today (Wednesday). But of... Read More

Senate values quality, not quantity of laws passed: Pimentel

MANILA -- The Senate values the quality of laws passed more than its quantity, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Wednesday.Pimentel made this remark in response to the statement of PDP-Laban partymate House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who chided the Senate for being “mabagal na... Read More

PAO to extend legal aid to Mandaluyong 'misencounter' survivor

MANILA -- The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) will provide legal assistance to one of two persons who survived the shooting incident in Mandaluyong City that left two people dead last December 28."It was the survivor in the shooting who was first to seek our assistance. Mr. Eliseo Aluad was referred... Read More

Federalism, Con-Ass top 2018 House legislative agenda: Alvarez

MANILA -- Top-billing the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives for this year are changing the three-decade old Constitution by convening Congress into a constituent assembly and shifting to a federal form of government.“Number one is the convening of Congress into a Constituent... Read More

Arrojado is new Joint Task Force-NCR chief

MANILA-- Former Central Command deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, formally took command of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) during short ceremonies Wednesday.Arrojado, who also served as commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, units tasked... Read More

Promoting Filipino language via spellchecker app, atbp.

MANILA -- Finetuning a Filipino spellchecker app, an exhibit of artifacts showing the evolution of the Filipino language, and refining initial translations of the Philippine Constitution in the past and present.These were the most significant endeavors of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino to promote... Read More

N. Samar, Leyte local officials charged at Sandiganbayan

MANILA -- The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan against the mayors of Palapag, Northern Samar, and Isabel, Leyte.In the records of the Ombudsman, Palapag Mayor Manuel Aoyang, Councilor Eleno Calot, and municipal council secretary Emil Go were charged for the... Read More

ASEAN welcomes new Secretary-General for 2018-2022

MANILA -- Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, a top trade official and diplomat from Brunei Darussalam, has assumed office as the new Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday.Lim is the 14th ASEAN Secretary-General succeeding Secretary-General Le Luong Minh from... Read More

LTFRB asks taxi operators to justify P50 flag down rate

MANILA -- Taxi operators should justify why a PHP10 hike from the current flag down rate of PHP40 is necessary, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Wednesday.LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said a petition should be filed in order for the Board to hear their views,... Read More

3,879 families so far affected by 'Agaton'

MANILA-- The number of families affected by Tropical Depression Agaton has now climbed to 3,879 or 16,142 individuals, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its Wednesday update.NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said these families are residents of 108... Read More

Military units to go all out vs. NPA with truce ending

MANILA -- With the conclusion of the Yuletide truce this Jan. 2, military units can now pursue New People's Army (NPA) terrorists who blatantly violated their own ceasefire declaration by attacking government troops and civilian communities."The AFP will resume focused military operations after the... Read More

Military, police units alerted for 'Agaton' relief efforts

MANILA -- Military and police units were alerted to help in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in wake of the onslaught of tropical depression 'Agaton'.This was emphasized by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo in a message late Tuesday."In... Read More

JV on Gatchalian’s Twitter outburst: We are also human

MANILA -- Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito on Tuesday defended colleague and seatmate Senator Sherwin Gatchalian from netizens who criticized him for cursing at bashers on his official Twitter account.Gatchalian on New Year’s Day reportedly responded to some Twitter users with curses when they... Read More

'Agaton' slows down as it begins exit; storm warning signals lifted

MANILA — Storm warning signals were lifted as tropical depression "Agaton" slowed down slightly as it begins to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Wednesday.In its 5 a.m. update, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration... Read More

Banner stories of Manila's leading newspapers, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018

BUSINESSMIRROR– Gov’t needs to spend P24T until 2030 to bridge infra gapINQUIRER– 3rd storm wreaks havoc in VisminPHILIPPINE STAR– Agaton kills 2 in CebuMALAYA - Duterte’s New Year Salvo: Sacking corrupt appointeeMANILA BULLETIN– 'Agaton' triggers floods,... Read More

Palace welcomes survey making PH world’s 3rd happiest country

MANILA -- Malacanang on Tuesday welcomed American polling firm Gallup International’s survey showing the Philippines as the third happiest country in the world.

“We Filipinos are known as a happy, resilient people. We even manage to smile amid difficulties. It is therefore not... Read More

SC: eSubpoena to be strictly implemented in all courts

MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered lower courts nationwide to strictly implement the “eSubpoena System" that is set to go in full swing this year.This was bared by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez through Circular No. ‎244-2017 issued last Dec. 21, which ordered the lower... Read More