National
House ratifies bills on rice tariff, coco levy
November 28, 2018, 8:51 pm
MANILA -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee reports on the rice tariffication bill and the coco levy trust fund bill. The Lower House approved the reconciled version of House Bill 7735 and Senate Bill 1198, which seeks to replace the quantitative… Read More
Gov’t ready to fix Freedom of Information's flaws
November 28, 2018, 8:31 pm
MANILA -- The Freedom of Information (FOI) program is far from perfect, but a top communications official on Wednesday said the only way to improve it is to identify its weaknesses and learn from them. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan made… Read More
US, EU, Aussie envoys congratulate newly confirmed DFA chief
November 28, 2018, 8:00 pm
MANILA -- The envoys of the United States (US), European Union (EU), and Australia on Wednesday welcomed the confirmation of Teodoro Locsin Jr. as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary. Locsin, who breezed through the committee level, was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA)… Read More
Tobacco tax hike breezes through 2nd reading in House
November 28, 2018, 7:56 pm
MANILA -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure seeking to increase the excise taxes on tobacco products. Lawmakers gave their nod on House Bill No. 8677 only a day after it hurdled committee level. The proposal seeks to increase excise tax rates for… Read More
Allocations for district projects not pork: Andaya
November 28, 2018, 7:53 pm
MANILA – House of Representatives Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday clarified that what are "erroneously" being referred to as pork barrel in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) are funds initially allotted for all congressional districts in the country. Andaya made the… Read More
Financial inclusion helps families recover from Marawi crisis
November 28, 2018, 7:41 pm
MANILA -- More than a year after the Marawi conflict ended, organizations working for the Marawi rehabilitation stressed the importance of promoting access to financial services and Islamic finance, as part of the continuous recovery of families affected by the crisis. The call was made during the… Read More
Senate to work ‘double time’ to avoid reenacted budget
November 28, 2018, 7:31 pm
MANILA -- The Senate leadership on Wednesday said it is willing to “work double time, overtime” to approve the proposed 2019 national budget before Congress adjourns for its December break, following an appeal from the Executive department. “There’s an appeal from Malacañang and all… Read More
Senate ratifies revised Corporation Code
November 28, 2018, 7:17 pm
MANILA -- Voting 17-0, the Senate on Wednesday ratified the reconciled version of the proposed measure that seeks to amend the Corporation Code of the Philippines to provide for a more business-friendly environment and boost the competitiveness of the country's economy. Senate Minority Leader… Read More
CA orders parties to answer consumer suit vs. ERC
November 28, 2018, 6:57 pm
MANILA -- A ruling by the Court of Appeals (CA) has taken a second look at a suit seeking a review of an Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decision, favoring the power distribution company Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The appellate court's 3rd Division -- composed of Associate Justices… Read More
Bersamin assures work-filled term to correct judiciary's ills
November 28, 2018, 6:55 pm
MANILA -- Newly-appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday said he plans to make his stint count in terms of resolving the problems facing the judiciary. Bersamin, 69, took his oath of office as Chief Justice before Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who some said was a close… Read More
DOLE urged to follow Labor Code in hiring foreigners
November 28, 2018, 6:53 pm
MANILA -- A labor group on Wednesday urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to observe the Labor Code in providing alien employment permit (AEP) for foreign workers. The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) noted that the rule on hiring foreign workers under Article 40 of the Labor Code… Read More
PNP chief lauds QC cops for peace, order status
November 28, 2018, 6:05 pm
MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday lauded the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), headed by District Director, Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel, for maintaining peace and order in a highly populated city in Metro Manila. “It is certainly… Read More
PNP to purchase body cams next year
November 28, 2018, 6:02 pm
MANILA -- The acquisition of body cameras to be used by police officers in anti-crime and drug operations is set next year, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Wednesday. Albayalde said they are still in the process of bidding so that means the purchase… Read More
Substitute bets have until Nov. 29 to file COCs: Comelec
November 28, 2018, 5:49 pm
MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said candidates who are still unsure of running in the May 2019 mid-term polls have until Thursday to back out and field a substitute. “The deadline for the substitution of an official candidate of a political party, who withdrew,… Read More
PEZA to launch more 'green' zones in PH
November 28, 2018, 5:30 pm
BAGUIO CITY -- After launching its "Revolution Smoke-Free" mantra in the City of Pines this week, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is bent on introducing more green economic sites across the country. “PEZA is really committed to introduce more environment-friendly industries to… Read More
2 new Nat'l Commission on Muslim Filipinos execs named
November 28, 2018, 5:30 pm
MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed two new commissioners to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). Duterte signed the appointment papers of new NCMF commissioners Samad Sarip Pangandaman and Abubakar Mangelen on Monday (Nov. 26) and were released to the media on… Read More
Federalism cost won't exceed P30-B
November 28, 2018, 4:59 pm
MANILA -- A political analyst on Wednesday said the shift to a federal system of government would not exceed PHP30 billion, allaying fears that the shift might be too costly. In a federalism media forum held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall in San Juan City, Prof. Edmund Tayao, a member… Read More
Palace welcomes confirmation of Locsin as DFA chief
November 28, 2018, 4:53 pm
MANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the confirmation of Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. as Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary. “The Palace welcomes the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments of Mr. Teodoro Locsin Jr.'s appointment as Secretary at the Department of… Read More
DOH lauds bicam approval of UHC bill
November 28, 2018, 4:51 pm
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday commended the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Bill that seeks to provide affordable health care for all Filipinos. The bicameral committee is composed of lawmakers from both the Senate and the… Read More
PH eyes opening embassy in Colombia
November 28, 2018, 4:49 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine government has "expressed willingness" to open an embassy in Colombia as the two states start to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties. Manila and Bogotá last Friday held the 4th bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) meeting headed by Department of Foreign Affairs… Read More
