National

DOH remains alert vs. leptospirosis

MANILA--The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said it is still on heightened surveillance and monitoring on leptospirosis cases in the country especially with the rainy season."We never let our guards down," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview with the media as he cited that... Read More

Larger e-gates for PWD airport passengers mulled

MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) plans to procure larger electronic gates (e-gates) to accommodate passengers on wheelchairs, an Immigration official told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Thursday evening.BI Port Operations Division chief Red Mariñas, during the launching of e-gates... Read More

Int'l, domestic flights diverted to Clark due to bad weather

MANILA -- Several international and domestic flights were diverted to Clark as of Thursday evening due to bad weather, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said. CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the following flights were diverted due to the inclement weather and for safety... Read More

Quezon City urges hiring of PWDs in gov’t offices

MANILA -- The Quezon City Council on Thursday passed a resolution urging the city government to implement Republic Act (RA) No. 10524, the law that expands positions reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs).Currently, the Quezon City government has about 14,000 employees, 100 of whom are... Read More

No need to rush charter change: Sotto

MANILA -- Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Thursday said the Senate sees no need to rush Charter change as there are a lot of debatable issues to hurdle, even as majority of Filipinos are still in the dark about the concept of a federal government.“Karamihan ng mga... Read More

Hospital exec bats for corporatization of public hospitals

MANILA--- A top official of a private hospital called on the government Thursday to pursue the corporization of public hospitals in the country to achieve better health outcomes."Perhaps, one way that private hospital can cooperate with the government is to perhaps share with the government's... Read More

Former NABCOR president faces graft raps

MANILA -- The former president of the defunct National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) is now facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly paying PHP4.8 million to a contractual staff member in 2012.The Office of the Ombudsman filed a count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic... Read More

More info drive for federalism push: Palace

MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday admitted the government has to boost further its information drive to explain the benefits the country will get under proposed federal form of government.Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this reaction amid criticisms and surveys, which said that... Read More

Monsoon rains to prevail over Luzon: PAGASA

MANILA -- Expect rains in Luzon due to the southwest monsoon on Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned.In its 4-p.m. weather bulletin on Thursday, PAGASA said the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bataan, Zambales,... Read More

DoJ to aid prosecutors on drive vs. corruption

MANILA -- Government prosecutors who are stepping up the campaign against corruption will be provided with the necessary resources, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.“Corruption, sad to say, I have to admit na nandyan yan kasi may element of discretion (corruption is there... Read More

Comelec to hold special PWD registration in Region I

MANILA -- A special offsite registration for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be held in three provinces in Region 1 on Friday, July 20, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.The poll body said the simultaneous satellite registrations will be held in all covered courts in the... Read More

Police to motorists: Avoid roads in Batasan area on SONA day

MANILA -- Police urged the public to avoid the roads near the area of the Batasan complex in Quezon City on Monday, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).Speaking to newsmen at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Camp... Read More

Solon hopes SONA includes elderly empowerment

MANILA -- A party-list lawmaker representing the senior citizens is hoping that President Rodrigo R. Duterte prioritizes four vital measures that would have a direct impact on the health, opportunities, protection, and empowerment of country's growing elderly population as he delivers his State of... Read More

Duterte likely to sign BBL before SONA: Palace

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte will possibly sign into law the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday (July 23), Malacañang said on Thursday.The bicameral conference committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate... Read More

Gov't offers to repatriate Pinoys amid civil unrest in Nicaragua

MANILA -- The Philippine government is ready to shoulder the repatriation of Filipinos who wanted to come home amid the continuing civil unrest in Nicaragua, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.“We would like to assure our kababayan in Nicaragua that we are ready to fly them... Read More

Nurses applying for jobs in Germany need not pay anything: POEA

MANILA -- The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Thursday reiterated that the hiring of 400 Filipino nurses in Germany is a government to government project so applicants are not required to pay anything.In an interview, POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said: "It’s a... Read More

PAF looks for possible sources of combat choppers

MANILA --- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is now identifying possible sources of combat utility helicopters capable of meeting its specifications, an official said on Wednesday."We are going to talk to them to one by one so the Philippines, in this case, the Air Force will get what is best for our... Read More

NDRRMC remains on blue alert for 'Inday'

MANILA -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its member agencies met in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Wednesday to minimize the possible ill-effects of Tropical Storm "Inday".The PDRA, held at NDRRM Operations Center, was... Read More

US aid boosts PH’s counterterrorism efforts

MANILA -- The United States will contribute USD26.5 million over the next two years to boost counterterrorism support for Philippine law enforcement agencies.The assistance will include training, equipment, and other support to build comprehensive law enforcement capacity within a rule of law... Read More

PRRD Year 2: Gov't dedicated to protecting PH territory, sovereignty

MANILA -- The Duterte administration remains focused on protecting the country's national territory and sovereignty.This was emphasized by National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon during the "Tatak ng Pagbabago" Pre-SONA Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay... Read More