National
House leaders assure Zambales fisherfolk of help
May 24, 2024, 8:02 pm Updated on May 25, 2024, 1:08 pm
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Friday assured help for thousands of Zambales fishers in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and other disputed areas inside Philippine waters. During a hearing of the Committee on National Defense and Security and the Special Committee on the West… Read More
PTFoMS, Comelec to classify violence vs. media as poll offense
May 24, 2024, 7:28 pm
MANILA -- The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) is set to forge an agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to classify violence against journalists during election period as an "election offense." In a statement on Friday, PTFoMS Executive Director Undersecretary Paul… Read More
Bill outlawing POGO filed as crimes tied to industry rises
May 24, 2024, 7:19 pm
MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a measure seeking to outlaw operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country as criminal activities linked to the industry continue to rise. “The main goal is ultimately to outlaw and prohibit offshore gaming operations… Read More
Resource persons detained for lying in PDEA leaks probe released
May 24, 2024, 7:15 pm
MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero on Friday announced the release from detention of former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales and former National Police Commission staff Eric Santiago, who were both cited in contempt for lying during hearings on the so… Read More
PAF commissions another C-130 plane from US
May 24, 2024, 4:53 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Friday announced it has commissioned into service another Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" transport aircraft. The aircraft with tail number 5157 was commissioned during rites at the Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday, PAF… Read More
BOC: State-of-the-art airport scanners tighten watch vs. contraband
May 24, 2024, 4:49 pm
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday announced the installation of state-of-the-art scanning machines at key international airports to further enhance airport security. In a statement, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said these include the Rapiscan 920CT (Computed Tomography) and… Read More
Postpone non-essential travel as Aghon intensifies – PPA
May 24, 2024, 4:43 pm Updated on May 24, 2024, 7:15 pm
MANILA — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) urged the public to postpone non-essential travel to areas affected by Tropical Depression Aghon. This after the the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in… Read More
PBBM may touch on WPS dispute in Asia security summit in Singapore
May 24, 2024, 4:05 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might touch on the country's maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. In a Palace briefing, DFA's Office of the… Read More
Cotabato prelate vows mental health aid for chapel blast victims
May 24, 2024, 3:37 pm
MANILA – The Archdiocese of Cotabato on Friday said it would extend mental health assistance to the victims of last weekend's explosion inside a chapel in the city. Archbishop Angelito Lampon said it is important to address the extreme fear of some 20 individuals who were at the Sr. Sto. Niño… Read More
BI: Canadian 'drug lord' stays in PH to face local raps
May 24, 2024, 3:15 pm
MANILA – Canadian Thomas Gordon O'Quinn tagged as a suspect in the PHP9.6-billion shabu shipment in Batangas province would stay in the country to face local charges before he can be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday. “He has to stand trial and face his crimes locally,… Read More
PNP chief sees highly capable, more mission-ready SAF in 2 years
May 24, 2024, 3:11 pm
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Friday he sees the Special Action Force (SAF) to be highly capable of dealing with various internal security threats in the next two years. This is also possible through the acquisition of additional assets, such… Read More
Navy ramps up external capability to support PH new defense concept
May 24, 2024, 3:09 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) is now focused on "reorienting and enhancing" its capabilities to focus on external defense cooperations in support of the military's adoption of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), its chief said Friday. This is necessary as the country… Read More
Angara: New gov't procurement act to curb wastage, boost efficiency
May 24, 2024, 2:49 pm
MANILA – The New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) ratified by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday is seen to enhance efficiencies, especially in government purchases, and prevent wastage in public transactions, Senator Sonny Angara said Friday. Angara said Senate Bill… Read More
PDEA warns vs. consumption, sale of 'magic mushrooms'
May 24, 2024, 2:47 pm
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday cautioned the public against the use, sale, distribution and cultivation of “magic mushrooms” which contain a substance prohibited by Philippine laws. In a statement, PDEA said these products contain psilocybin or commonly… Read More
Gov't prioritizes farmers' welfare under 'Bagong Pilipinas'
May 24, 2024, 2:30 pm
MANILA – The government will prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers under the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) policy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday. In his speech during the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) and electronic titles (e-titles) to… Read More
Año: Batanes PCG station to heighten PH maritime security
May 24, 2024, 2:22 pm
MANILA – National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Friday said the establishment of a new Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Itbayat, Batanes will greatly enhance the country's "maritime domain awareness" capability and security. "The establishment of this new monitoring station is a… Read More
Toll rebate for agri trucks to help cut commodity prices
May 24, 2024, 2:08 pm
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the move to exempt accredited trucks transporting agricultural products from toll fee increases and get rebates, noting that this would benefit consumers through bringing down prices of agricultural commodities. In a news release on Friday,… Read More
DND chief: China provokes with threat to arrest WPS trespassers
May 24, 2024, 1:59 pm
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said China's threat to arrest and detain foreigners entering what it claims are its territorial waters is a form of provocation. "They threatened to arrest. That is a provocation and a violation, to me, of the… Read More
More areas under signal no. 1; 6 Siargao flights canceled due to Aghon
May 24, 2024, 12:49 pm
MANILA – More areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression (TD) Aghon maintained its strength. In a bulletin issued 11:30 a.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said under signal no. 1:… Read More
Agri trucks exempted from toll fees hike starting June 1
May 24, 2024, 12:13 pm
MANILA – Department of Agriculture-accredited trucks transporting agricultural products will be exempted from toll fee increases and receive rebates beginning June 1. Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Alvin Carullo said the program reduces the impact of the toll rate increase on… Read More
