National

Lapeña to relieve port execs failing to meet February target

MANILA -- Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Monday said he is ready to relieve port personnel including District Collectors, who will not be able to meet their collection target this month.In a memorandum dated Feb. 6, the BOC chief noted that aside from District... Read More

DSWD mulls purchasing commercial rice

MANILA --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday it is considering options to purchase commercial rice in case the National Food Authority (NFA) runs insufficient of supply.“In case there will be a shortage of NFA rice, the Department will explore purchasing... Read More

DOJ files criminal raps vs alleged Spanish terrorist

MANILA -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed criminal charges against a suspected Spanish terrorist who was nabbed in a checkpoint in Basilan last month.In an eight-page resolution dated Feb. 8 but was released to media on Monday, the DOJ panel of prosecutors, led by Senior Assistant State... Read More

PRRD not renewing appointments of 2 SSS execs

MANILA -- The appointments of Social Security System (SSS) Chairman Amando Valdez and Commissioner Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña will not be renewed, Malacañang said Monday.Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the announcement in a Palace briefing.“The... Read More

Duterte confirms new MMDA OIC general manager

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has confirmed Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. as the Officer-in-Charge General Manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).In a letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim dated February 9, 2018, he confirmed that... Read More

Groups file criminal raps vs Aquino, et al. over Dengvaxia mess

MANILA -- The Vanguard of the Philippines, Inc. (VCPI) and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Monday filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former President Benigno Aquino III, two former Cabinet officials and several former and incumbent health... Read More

DILG now 100% FOI-compliant

MANILA -- The public is now ensured of better access to official records and documents in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has certified the department as fully compliant with the Freedom of Information (FOI)... Read More

DFA wants 'concrete action' from Kuwait over OFW abuses

MANILA -- Following developments on the issue of reported abuses on Filipinos in Kuwait, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said it called for a "concrete action" from the Kuwaiti government to address maltreatment suffered by Filipinos in their state.

Upon instructions by DFA... Read More

DOLE ‘working out’ efforts to send repatriated OFWs to China

MANILA -- Malacañang on Monday said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is currently “working out” efforts to send repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait to other countries such as China.Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Labor Secretary... Read More

Palace: No ill will vs. lawyer in ICC case vs. Duterte

MANILA -- Malacañang on Monday said it does not have any ill will against lawyer Jude Sabio, who was responsible for filing a communication before the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity in relation to the government's war on... Read More

DOLE orders total deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait

MANILA -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday officially ordered a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait effective immediately.This move is pursuant to President Rodrigo R. Duterte's directive amid reports of several deaths of Filipino workers... Read More

Ombudsman dismisses Gwen Garcia; Lady Cebu rep doubts order's timing

MANILA -- Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered former Cebu governor and now Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia dismissed from service for grave misconduct.The dismissal order, which House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is directed to implement on Monday, stemmed from the lady politician's... Read More

Over 300 distressed OFWs from Kuwait arrive in PH

MANILA -- A total of 317 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait arrived in Manila on Monday.They were repatriated by the government and came in two batches--220 onboard Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR 669 and 97 via Gulf Air flight GF 154.President Rodrigo Duterte had instructed... Read More

PH to scrap P12-B helicopter deal with Bell, CCC: Lorenzana

MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) is now preparing the letter for the cancellation of the purchase of 16 Bell EPI combat utility helicopters (CUHs) worth PHP12 billion from Canada.Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday he will sign the letter anytime this week."The formal... Read More

10K more Filipinos to be repatriated from Kuwait: DFA

MANILA -- The Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuwait are now rushing to repatriate as many as 10,000 overstaying Filipinos who are expected to avail an amnesty program arranged with the Kuwaiti government, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Sarah... Read More

PH, China to hold 2nd WPS dialogue in Manila

MANILA -- The Philippines and China will meet for the second bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) on Tuesday (Feb. 13) to tackle their ongoing dispute on the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), Malacañang said Monday.“The second meeting of this Philippine-China bilateral... Read More

Sereno failed to comply with SALN requirement: 2 SC justices

MANILA -- Two magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC) said on Monday that Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno's application for the top judiciary post in 2012 should have been rejected when she failed to submit her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).During the impeachment hearing of... Read More

Nolcom, PDEA units destroy marijuana plantation in Kalinga

MANILA -- Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) units in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) discovered and destroyed a 100-square meter marijuana plantation in Kalinga Sunday morning.Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, Nolcom spokesperson, said the operation took place 11:30 a.m. at the... Read More

PRRD to lead unveiling of 'Malasakit Center' in Cebu City Monday

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte will lead the unveiling of ‘Malasakit Center’ located inside the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City together with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan and other government officials on Monday... Read More

Winners of 'PNP Model Families 2017' named

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police announced the five winners of its "PNP Model Families 2017" during flag-raising ceremonies Monday at Camp Crame, Quezon City.The contest was organized by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in cooperation with the Department of Interior and Local... Read More