National
DA hopes for 'significant' retail price drop in rice after tariff cut
June 5, 2024, 7:00 pm
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday expressed hope for a significant drop in the retail prices of rice after the tariff on imported rice was slashed to 15 percent from 35 percent. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured efforts to realize this… Read More
PPA boosts info drive vs. port 'fixers'
June 5, 2024, 6:44 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will install signages and warnings in its ports against the use of "fixers" that offer passengers and motorists “priority boarding” for a fee. In a statement on Wednesday, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago ordered port managers in all Port… Read More
PH ties with UAE at ‘highest point’ – Manalo
June 5, 2024, 6:32 pm
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the relations between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at their “highest point” since the two states formally established diplomatic ties 50 years ago. Manalo issued the statement during a meeting with UAE Minister… Read More
NPC intensifies effort vs. unregistered businesses handling user data
June 5, 2024, 6:09 pm
MANILA – The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday reminded all businesses that process the data of their clients and workers to register with the NPC or possibly face fines for violations under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA). In a statement, the NPC said all businesses that process… Read More
Lawmaker: Urgent comprehensive rehab of Marawi needed
June 5, 2024, 6:01 pm
MANILA – Members of a House of Representatives panel have conducted an ocular site visit and public consultation in Marawi City in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s marching order for a swift and total rehabilitation of the city left in ruins after a five-month war between… Read More
PBBM declares June 17 regular holiday for Eid’l Adha
June 5, 2024, 5:26 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared June 17 a regular holiday to give way to the observance of Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice.” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation 579 on Tuesday declaring the holiday nationwide. The proclamation was issued… Read More
House leaders back Palace’s move to cut imported rice tariff
June 5, 2024, 5:16 pm
MANILA – Speaker Martin Romualdez and other House leaders on Wednesday lauded the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to cut the tariff for imported rice from 35 percent to just 15 percent. “The import levy reduction and the direct sale of imported rice by the government through its… Read More
Authorities crack down on online black-market sale of babies
June 5, 2024, 4:57 pm
MANILA – Three law enforcement agencies are setting up a technical working group (TWG) to crack down on the black-market sale of babies online. In a statement on Wednesday, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director Alexander Ramos said babies are being sold… Read More
Rabies cases from Jan - May 13% higher this year
June 5, 2024, 4:31 pm
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 169 human rabies cases have been recorded from January to May, about 13 percent higher compared to 150 in the same period in 2023. The Soccsksargen region reported the highest number of cases at 21. This was followed by Region 4-A… Read More
Senate executive session reinforces need to totally ban POGO in PH
June 5, 2024, 4:24 pm
MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros believes that the executive session convened on Wednesday by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality have strengthened the call of senators to totally ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the… Read More
37 Chinese nabbed for illegal retail ops in Parañaque
June 5, 2024, 4:15 pm
MANILA – Immigration authorities arrested 37 Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal retail operations in Parañaque City on Tuesday. In a statement Wednesday, BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the foreigners were nabbed in an operation inside the Multinational… Read More
Augustinians to turn over Makati parish to Manila archdiocese
June 5, 2024, 4:03 pm
MANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila will soon take over the administration of the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Gracia in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. In a statement Wednesday, the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) said the parish would be turned over to the archdiocese in simple rites on… Read More
BFAR launches FishSHIELDS vs. illegal, unreported fishing in PH waters
June 5, 2024, 3:46 pm
MANILA – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday launched the Fisheries Sharing Hub on Investigation, Enforcement, Litigation, and Detection System (FishSHIELDS) to combat illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUUF). FishSHIELDS equips enforcers with digital tools… Read More
DMW to file complaint vs. agency of unpaid Filipino fishermen
June 5, 2024, 3:42 pm
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will file multiple complaints against a manning agency that deployed around 100 Filipino fishers onboard fishing vessels, but failed to pay rightful wages. “The Department of Migrant Workers this morning welcomed nearly 100 fishermen who voiced… Read More
187 foreign, Filipino workers rescued in Pampanga POGO raid
June 5, 2024, 3:41 pm
MANILA – Authorities rescued 187 foreign and Filipino workers in a raid at a Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Pampanga province on Tuesday night. In a report on Wednesday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said its members together with the Criminal… Read More
Solons: Ensure water supply, price controls in Kanlaon-affected areas
June 5, 2024, 3:39 pm
MANILA – Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino and Senator Lito Lapid on Wednesday called on concerned government agencies to ensure the needs of residents affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. In a news release, Tolentino stressed the importance of ensuring the supply of clean water… Read More
BOC-Clark seizes P4-M kush, cannabis-laced vapes
June 5, 2024, 3:15 pm
MANILA – Customs officers at the Port of Clark on Wednesday intercepted more than 2 kg. of kush (high-grade marijuana) and 156 cannabis-infused disposable vapes estimated at over PHP3.9 million. In a statement, Port of Clark District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria said the contraband was… Read More
Gov’t mounting holistic campaign vs. online child sexual abuse
June 5, 2024, 3:13 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is calling on the implementation of a comprehensive and holistic strategy aimed at preventing and combating online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) in the Philippines. Department… Read More
Marcos eyes ‘defense council’ to protect cops, backs PNP ‘rightsizing’
June 5, 2024, 3:12 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a study for the possible creation of a legal office that will serve as a “defense council” that will protect police officers against harassment and flimsy accusations. During the 2nd Command Conference of the Philippines National Police… Read More
DSWD provides P758K in aid to families affected by Kanlaon eruption
June 5, 2024, 3:10 pm Updated on June 5, 2024, 3:35 pm
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field offices in Western and Central Visayas have provided PHP758,070 in humanitarian assistance to families displaced by the June 3 Mt. Kanlaon volcano eruption, an agency official said on Wednesday. DSWD Assistant Secretary for… Read More
