National

PCG aerial inspection finds no more oil in Verde Island waters

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reported no more signs of an oil spill in waters surrounding the Verde Island after an aerial inspection on Monday.In a statement, PCG Spokesperson, CG Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, said the aerial inspection was conducted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and... Read More

Blue ribbon wraps up probe on alleged human trafficking in NAIA

MANILA - The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (SBRC) is expecting new reforms at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as it ended on Monday its investigation on the alleged human smuggling at the airport as revealed by Senator Grace Poe during her Feb. 15 privilege speech.Blue ribbon committee... Read More

DBM elated as Maharlika bill reaches Senate plenary

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) welcomed the news that the bill creating the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) reached the Senate plenary on Monday.The measure reached the Senate floor three weeks after the committee ended its hearings on the MIF bills.DBM... Read More

403,567 to take gov’t career service exam on March 26

MANILA – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Monday said preparations are in place for the Career Service Examination – Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) for 403,567 examinees on March 26.The CSC said the number is more than double the 147,877 registrants of the Aug. 7, 2022 exams,... Read More

Parts of Manila, Taguig, Pateros, Rizal waterless March 22-24

MANILA – The Manila Water Company (Manila Water) on Monday announced that its customers in some parts of Manila, Taguig and Pateros, and Binangonan, Antipolo and Cainta in Rizal province will experience water interruption due to service improvement activities from March 22 to 24.In Manila, the... Read More

Bank secrecy law amendment hurdles second reading

MANILA – A measure promoting transparent governance and instituting anti-corruption mechanisms in the operation of banks and other financial institutions hurdled second reading approval at the House of Representatives.During the plenary session on Monday, the chamber passed through voice... Read More

Teves has 24 hours to appear before House panel or face sanctions

MANILA – The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Monday gave 24 hours for Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to personally appear at the House of Representatives amid his lapsed travel authority.Committee chair Felimon Espares warned that disciplinary sanctions will be meted out to... Read More

PH daily average of new Covid-19 cases up by 19%

MANILA–The country’s daily average of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases increased by 19 percent from March 15 to 19, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Monday.Daily infections increased to 167 from 140 infections on March 5 to 12.The DOH also reported 1,171 new cases and... Read More

DA upholds food safety, seizes P120-M smuggled agri-fishery goods

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday underscored the importance of food safety to public health, as it seized around PHP120 million worth of smuggled agri-fishery products in Navotas City. In a radio-TV interview, DA Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement James... Read More

DSWD extends cash-for-work program for oil spill victims

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended the cash-for-work program for the victims of an oil spill caused by the MT Princess Empress that sank on Feb. 8 off the coastal waters of Mindoro Oriental.In a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, DSWD Assistant... Read More

Enrile still pushes con-ass to amend Charter

MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile still believes that the constitutional assembly (con-ass) mode to introduce amendments to the 1987 Constitution makes better sense rather than convening a constitutional convention (con-con).In an interview over SMNI on Saturday,... Read More

Diocese in S. Cotabato warns vs. activities of ‘defrocked’ priest

MANILA – The Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato warned the faithful against activities officiated by one of priests who already left the Catholic Church for another religion."We regret to inform you that Fr. Alan G. Catigday has already left the Catholic Church," Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas... Read More

Compel students to declare fraternity memberships – Zubiri

MANILA – Students should be required to divulge their affinities with fraternities to give the schools reason to penalize them in case of unlawful activities, like hazing.At the close of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri... Read More

LTFRB seeks to speed up resolution of cases, cut red tape

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday issued a new resolution that aims to speed up the resolution of apprehension cases and reduce "red tape" in the agency.According to LTFRB Resolution No. 008, series of 2023, the chief of the LTFRB Legal... Read More

House signs historic MOU vs. gender-based violence

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would assist victims of gender-based violence, particularly House employees and their family members.The House, the Quezon City Protection Center (QCPC) under the Office of Mayor Joy Belmonte, and... Read More

Senate open to Cha-cha discussions with House members

MANILA – The Senate will suggest a caucus with House of Representatives leaders to discuss issues on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha), heeding the call of a senior congressman to refrain from airing their grievances in public.Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a press briefing on... Read More

House budget panel OKs ‘disaster food banks’ in all provinces

MANILA – The House Committee on Appropriations has approved the proposed measure seeking for the establishment of disaster food banks facilities in every province across the country, Dinagat Island Lone District Rep. Alan 1 B. Ecleo said on Monday.Ecleo authored House Bill (HB) 5245, which was... Read More

DAR farm biz school in SoCot equips farmers to be agripreneurs

MANILA – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) hopes to empower farmers to become "agripreneurs" through the establishment of a farm business school (FBS) in Polomolok, South Cotabato.In a statement Monday, the DAR said the FBS will equip farmers with knowledge in sustainable... Read More

Low-cost airline ramps up Cebu hub

MANILA – Low-cost airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) will ramp up its operations to and from Cebu province with new routes, increased flight frequencies in some destinations, and additional fleet at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).These boosts are expected to result in additional 76,000 seats... Read More

Solon, labor group back P150 across-the-board wage hike proposal

MANILA – Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Monday said the proposed nationwide PHP150 across-the-board wage increase will be approved soon as the country is reeling from high inflation rate.Revilla said Senate Bill No. 2002 or the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023, as proposed by Senate... Read More