National

House members 'overwhelmingly in favor' of martial law extension

MANILA -- Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas on Tuesday said members of the House of Representatives are "overwhelmingly in favor" of President Rodrigo Duterte's request for a full-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.Fariñas made the statement after emerging from an all-party caucus... Read More

SolGen: ML extension in Mindanao has legal basis

MANILA -- Solicitor General Jose Calida said Tuesday the extension of martial law in Mindanao has legal basis, citing that rebellion is rampant in several parts of the region despite the liberation of Marawi City from Maute terrorists.“The President (Rodrigo Duterte) cited compelling reasons... Read More

Duterte wants Sanofi held liable for Dengvaxia fiasco: Roque

MANILA-- Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte stands by the Department of Health's (DOH) recommendation to hold French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur accountable for the dengue vaccine controversy.In a press briefing, Roque also confirmed that once the... Read More

Testimonies of 4 SC justices have credence: Alvarez

MANILA -- House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said he personally believes the testimonies of the four magistrates of the Supreme Court in the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno should be given credence.In an interview with reporters, Alvarez said the SC... Read More

126 new drug enforcement officers complete PDEA training

MANILA -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday conferred badges to 126 new Drug Enforcement Officers during their graduation rites held at the PDEA Academy, Camp Castaňeda, Silang, Cavite.PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said the class is the first batch to graduate under... Read More

Sereno spox: Testimonies weak, mere opinion

MANILA -- The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday said that the testimonies of the magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC) before the House justice committee hearing on the impeachment complaint against her were purely based on personal opinions and could not be used as grounds to... Read More

Ombudsman orders graft raps filed vs. Panglao mayor

MANILA -- Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing of one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, and four counts of unlawful appointment for violation of Article 244 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC)... Read More

Palace assures probe on DAP exec's 'anomalies'

MANILA -- Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte would surely "investigate" the reported irregularities in the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), under its president, Elba Cruz.Roque made the statement when asked regarding the Palace's reaction on... Read More

Alvarez confident of Congress nod on martial law extension

MANILA -- Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday expressed confidence that Congress would approve President Rodrigo Duterte's request for a full-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.In an interview with reporters, Alvarez said as a Mindanaoan, he sees no reason why the second martial law... Read More

CA junks insider trading raps vs. Ongpin

MANILA -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed insider trading charges against businessman and former trade minister Roberto V. Ongpin that involved shares of Philex Mining Corp. in 2009.In a 29-page decision dated Dec. 1, the CA’s Former Special 13th Division nullified the July 8, 2016... Read More

Pinoys abroad urged to be vigilant in wake of foiled NY attack

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday called on Filipinos abroad to exercise "higher level of vigilance" in the wake of another attempted terror attack in the United States.The DFA issued the advisory after a morning rush hour explosion at a major transportation hub in New... Read More

Duterte leads destruction of seized Maute Group arms Wednesday

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the destruction of around 400 weapons captured and recovered during the five-month battle to liberate Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group terrorists.This will take place 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Philippine Army grandstand in Fort Bonifacio,... Read More

DICT urges 3rd telco player to invest on 'fixed internet'

MANILA -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is urging telecommunications companies interested to become the third major player in the industry to invest in the installation of fixed lines to further improve internet service in the country.“The main reason why... Read More

Senate okays Quezon Service Cross for Miriam Santiago

MANILA -- The Senate on Monday approved a resolution to confer the Quezon Service Cross on the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.The Quezon Service Cross is the highest award the nation can bestow on a person for outstanding civilian service to the nation in memory of the late President Manuel... Read More

Pakistani frigate to arrive in PH for 3-day visit

MANILA -- A Pakistani Sword-class missile guided frigate, the PNS Saif (FFG-253), will be paying a three-day goodwill visit to the Philippines from December 14 to 17.Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Pakistani ship would be arriving at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila on Thursday.The... Read More

Duterte fires urban poor commission execs

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the firing of all commissioners of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Tuesday."The President stated two grounds -- number one, it is, according to him, a collegial body, and they have... Read More

DND seeks more volunteers to beef up disaster risk reduction measures

MANILA -- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has called for more volunteers who could help raise public awareness on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and implement measures that would check climate change.During the 19th Gawad Kalasag National Awarding Ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza... Read More

Senate bill allows resto, hotel workers 100% access to service charge

MANILA -- The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure that would allow restaurant and hotel employees 100 percent access to service charges collected from customers.Once Senate Bill No. 1299 is enacted into law, restaurant and hotel workers, whether regular, contractual, or... Read More

Congress likely to approve martial law extension: Drilon

MANILA -- Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday said he expects Congress to approve the extension of martial law extension in Mindanao for another year despite possible opposition by the minority.Drilon said that it is “expected” because President Rodrigo Duterte has the... Read More

DepEd orders monitoring of students administered with Dengvaxia

MANILA -- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones on Sunday called for a "strong monitoring" of students administered with anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia. Briones issued DepEd memorandum no. 199, series 2017, ordering the surveillance of students from both public and private schools... Read More