National
PH, China foreign ministries press for dialogue on maritime issues
December 21, 2023, 11:44 am
MANILA – The Philippines and China’s top diplomats are pressing for continuous dialogue in tackling the current situation in the South China Sea as tensions heat up over Beijing’s previous actions in the disputed area. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday said he and Chinese… Read More
2024 budget to spur PH economic growth
December 21, 2023, 11:25 am
MANILA – The recently-approved PHP5.768-trillion 2024 national budget will help spur Philippine economic growth, government economic managers said. In a statement on Thursday, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the timely passage of the 2024… Read More
AFP chief fetes 8ID troops for outstanding counterinsurgency work
December 21, 2023, 11:07 am
MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. feted the troops of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) for their efforts in neutralizing the remaining New People's Army (NPA) insurgents in their area. "I am very proud that the 8th ID and JTF (Joint Task… Read More
DND chief sees enhanced AFP upgrades with signing of 2024 budget
December 21, 2023, 10:18 am
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed hope that the modernization of the Armed of the Philippines (AFP) would be intensified with the timely enactment of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Teodoro said this would pave the way for the… Read More
Isolated rain showers to prevail over most of PH
December 21, 2023, 8:45 am
MANILA – A huge part of the country will experience isolated rain showers due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms, the weather bureau said Thursday. However, the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Quezon will continue to experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms… Read More
CBCP: Vatican nod on blessing for same-sex couples 'self-explanatory'
December 20, 2023, 10:49 pm
MANILA – The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday said Pope Francis' pronouncement of allowing Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples is self-explanatory. “In fact, in paragraph 41, What has been said in this Declaration regarding the… Read More
Muntinlupa court orders transfer of 11 inmates in De Lima case to NBP
December 20, 2023, 10:47 pm
MANILA – The Muntinlupa court trying the remaining criminal drug charge against former senator Leila de Lima has approved the defense lawyers’ plea to transfer back to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) the 11 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) from their present incarceration at the Sablayan Prison… Read More
Japan turns over air surveillance radar system to PAF
December 20, 2023, 10:00 pm
MANILA – The Japan embassy on Wednesday turned over a Japanese-built air surveillance radar system to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) during a ceremony at the Wallace Air Station in San Fernando City, La Union province. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.,… Read More
PBBM swears in 4 new MIC directors
December 20, 2023, 8:36 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday administered the oath of office of the four new directors of the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC). The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shared several photos of the oath-taking of Vicky Castillo Tan, Andrew Jerome Gan, German… Read More
China denies funding destab efforts in PH
December 20, 2023, 8:32 pm
MANILA – China denied funding any destabilization effort in the Philippines amid speculations that the “trolls” attacking government officials over their stance on the West Philippine Sea might be on Beijing’s payroll. Senator JV Ejercito earlier decried a pattern of social media attacks… Read More
Funding for cash aid for 'near poor' families to continue in 2025
December 20, 2023, 7:02 pm
MANILA – Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Wednesday that funding for the new PHP60 billion Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program will continue in 2025. Romualdez made the statement as he welcomed the signing by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the PHP5.768-trillion national budget for… Read More
Senator seeks amendment of rules on citing witnesses in contempt
December 20, 2023, 6:53 pm
MANILA – The Office of Senator Francis Tolentino showed on Wednesday a copy of Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 889 he filed on Tuesday that seeks to amend Sections 16 and 18 of the Resolution No. 5, or the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in aid of Legislation. This came after the Supreme… Read More
Ticket sold in QC wins P310-M Super Lotto jackpot
December 20, 2023, 6:47 pm
MANILA – A lone bettor from Metro Manila can look forward to a merrier Christmas after hitting the PHP310-million jackpot prize of the Super Lotto 6/49 draw on Tuesday night. In a statement on Wednesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the winner from Quezon City got the… Read More
BI nabs elusive S. Korean wanted for grave threat
December 20, 2023, 6:43 pm
MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) authorities have intercepted a South Korean fugitive wanted for grave threat and evaded arrest for more than a decade. In a news release Wednesday, BI border control and intelligence unit (BCIU) deputy chief for operations Joseph Cueto said 40-year-old Yoo… Read More
3 QC cops axed over viral video of response to actor's death
December 20, 2023, 6:33 pm
MANILA – Three members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were removed from their posts after a video of their operation in response to the report of the death of veteran Ronaldo Valdez circulated online. In a press conference held at Camp Crame on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean… Read More
Focus crimes down 18% from Sept. 1 to Dec. 19: PNP
December 20, 2023, 6:25 pm
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded an 18-percent drop in focus crime incidents from Sept. 1 to Dec. 19 this year. Citing the latest data as of Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said 10,268 focus crimes were recorded during this period as compared to 12,554… Read More
Gov't allots P450M to assist drivers affected by PUV modernization
December 20, 2023, 6:22 pm Updated on December 20, 2023, 6:44 pm
MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday said it is ready to assist jeepney drivers affected by the government's public utility vehicle modernization program. Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said the government particularly the Department of Transportation (DOTr)… Read More
Multilingual mastery should be the new focus of colleges – solon
December 20, 2023, 6:15 pm
MANILA – A lawmaker on Wednesday said colleges and universities should focus on producing more graduates with multilingual mastery, particularly in European and Asian languages, to offset the "waning edge" in English. Bohol Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas Tutor suggested having more degree programs… Read More
PNP: No muzzling of cops' guns for holiday revelries
December 20, 2023, 5:51 pm
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said the guns of police officers will not be muzzled for this year's holiday season. “We received instruction from Maj. Gen. (Leo) Francisco (PNP Director for Operations) based sa guidance ng ating Chief PNP Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ay… Read More
CTA: CamSur province can't impose franchise tax on power coop
December 20, 2023, 5:15 pm
MANILA – The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) junked a suit filed by the Camarines Sur provincial government seeking to impose a franchise tax on an electric cooperative which already pays a franchise tax to Naga City. In a 15-page decision dated Dec. 19, the tax court’s Special First Division… Read More
