National
PH, Japan, US, Aussie defense chiefs call out Chinese actions in SCS
May 4, 2024, 8:03 am
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The respective defense chiefs of the Philippines, Japan, the United States, and Australia have collectively called out China’s “dangerous use” of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea (SCS). The statement was made after the quadrilateral meeting… Read More
PBBM lauds journalists for ‘courage’ in unbiased reporting
May 4, 2024, 7:58 am
MANILA – In celebrating World Press Freedom Day on Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded journalists for their courage in delivering unbiased reporting, calling them "stalwarts of truth and transparency." In an X post, Marcos said that journalists’ commitment to their work is vital,… Read More
PAGASA warns of dangerous heat index in 30 areas
May 4, 2024, 7:13 am
MANILA – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of dangerous heat index levels in 30 areas across the country on Saturday. Based on the weather bureau’s forecast, the following areas may have a heat index ranging from 42°C to 47°C:… Read More
DSWD extends P101-M aid to El Niño-affected families
May 3, 2024, 9:52 pm
MANILA – More than PHP101 million in aid has been provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families affected by the severe drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon. Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a… Read More
Magnitude 5.8 quake jolts Leyte
May 3, 2024, 8:10 pm
MANILA – A magnitude 5.8 earthquake jolted Leyte on Friday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. In its earthquake bulletin No. 2, Phivolcs said the tectonic quake struck 36 km. northeast of the municipality of Abuyog at 6:16 p.m. It was 10 km. deep.… Read More
DA: Price freeze needed only in areas under state of calamity
May 3, 2024, 7:00 pm
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said that a price freeze of rice and other basic commodities should only be implemented in areas severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon. “Kung idadamay iyong buong bansa na hindi naman apektado ng El Niño, baka magkaroon ng… Read More
Senator renews call for new round of pay increase for gov't workers
May 3, 2024, 6:43 pm
MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada has called for a new round of salary increase spread over four years for approximately 1.9 million government employees. Estrada recently filed a bill for Salary Standardization Law (SSL) VI, outlined under Senate Bill (SB) No. 2611. The bill proposes a 10… Read More
Proposed amendments to RTL include mechanism to deter corruption
May 3, 2024, 6:26 pm
MANILA – The House leadership on Friday assured the public that proposals to amend the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) include a mechanism that would deter corruption at the National Food Authority (NFA). “Ultimately, ang layunin naman natin ay magkaroon ng access sa mas murang bigas ang ating… Read More
PCG ship crew in water cannon incident honored for bravery
May 3, 2024, 6:25 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) honored the ship crew of BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) with the Coast Guard Merit Medal and Ribbon in recognition of their bravery during the water cannon attack by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) near Bajo de Masinloc on Tuesday. The PCG said the 38 ship crew… Read More
PBBM expects ratification of PH-South Korea FTA deal this year
May 3, 2024, 6:23 pm Updated on May 3, 2024, 8:41 pm
MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expecting the ratification of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and South Korea this year. In an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper chairman and publisher Chang Dae-Whan at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, Marcos expressed… Read More
Focus on improving defense capabilities, not retaliation – senator
May 3, 2024, 5:55 pm
MANILA – The country should focus on strengthening its defense posture and readiness instead of retaliating against China for its aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday also suggested strengthening the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program and for… Read More
BuCor: 805 PDLs released in April
May 3, 2024, 5:40 pm
MANILA – Prison officials on Friday said 805 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from various operating prisons and penal farms in the country in April. In a statement, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said the number of inmates released in April was higher than the 783 released in… Read More
DENR chief wants stiffer penalties for wildlife violations
May 3, 2024, 5:18 pm
MANILA – Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga on Friday called on legislators to impose stiffer penalties against those involved in illegal wildlife trade. In a press release, Loyzaga urged members of Congress to prioritize measures that will strengthen the protection and… Read More
CBCP issues Oratio Imperata for bishops to pray for rain
May 3, 2024, 5:18 pm
MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday asked Catholic prelates and priests to pray the Oratio Imperata for rain amid the dangerously high heat indexes recorded in various parts of the country and drought due to the El Niño phenomenon. “We are… Read More
Motorists warned vs. online scammers issuing fake violation notices
May 3, 2024, 5:05 pm
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday warned the public against a slew of fake notices of violation being sent to motorists by online scammers. In a statement, LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the LTO has long stopped sending violation notices to motorists… Read More
High heat index to continue in coastal areas
May 3, 2024, 5:04 pm
MANILA – Coastal areas will continue to have high heat indices as the country continues to deal with the effects of El Niño this month, the head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday. PAGASA on Thursday said the heat index… Read More
PCG: China disregards int’l laws using ‘beyond normal’ actions
May 3, 2024, 4:57 pm
SAN NARCISO, Zambales – All Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are outright violations of international law, a ranking Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) insisted on Friday. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, said maritime security scholars used to call China’s moves… Read More
PH press continues to live up to reputation as Asia's freest – PTFoMS
May 3, 2024, 3:25 pm
MANILA – The Philippine media still lives up to its reputation as the "freest press" in Asia, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Friday. PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez made the statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, citing the vibrancy of… Read More
Calabarzon records highest number of colorum vehicles in April – LTO
May 3, 2024, 2:47 pm
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has apprehended a total of 248 vehicles nationwide in its intensified anti-colorum campaign for April. Region 4-A (Calabarzon) recorded the highest number of apprehensions with a total of 101. In a statement on Friday, LTO chief Assistant Secretary… Read More
Invest in renewables, water security to address climate change
May 3, 2024, 2:45 pm
MANILA – Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Friday sought more support for efforts to build resilience in communities vulnerable to climate change. In a statement, Legarda called for collective action, both at local and international levels, to address climate change through sustainable… Read More
