Maguindanao, Philippines — The military here announced Monday that one of four bodies of IS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) found in an ongoing military airstrike in Mt. Firis in Maguindanao was that of a wanted bomber trained by slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir. A certain Salahudin, also known as Abu Omar, was […]
Archives for January 2018
Malaya Publisher Amado “Jake” Macasaet passes away
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Veteran journalist and Malaya Newspaper publisher Amado “Jake” Macasaet died on Sunday, January 7. He was 81. The first day of the wake on Sunday, being held at the Heritage Park in Taguig City, is only open for family. Additional details will soon be announced. His daughter Carina Macasaet in a […]
Cocaine shipment found in Sorsogon not from Taiwan: TECO
MANILA, Philippines — The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) on Monday denied that the reported cocaine shipment found drifting in Sorsogon the previous Wednesday had come from Taiwan. The PHP120-million worth of cocaine packed into a container was believed to be from Jin Ming No. 16, a cargo ship that made a distress call to […]
Duterte remains PH most trusted official
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte remains the most trusted and got the highest approval rating among government officials. According to the last quarter survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Dec. 10-15, 2017, President Duterte got the highest approval at 80 percent and highest trust rating at 82 percent among the country’s top five […]
Sandiganbayan suspends Sipalay City Mayor
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension against Sipalay City, Negros Occidental Mayor Oscar Montilla, Jr. In a three-page Resolution, the anti-graft court directed Montilla “to cease and desist from performing and/or exercising the functions and duties as well as receiving and/or enjoying the salaries, benefits, and privileges of his present […]
3 Davao agri officials face 90-day suspension
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan slapped as 90-day preventive suspension against three officials from the Department of Agriculture XI. Facing suspension pending trial for violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices act are Senior Agriculturists Melani Provido; Isabelita Buduan, and Administrative Officer Marie Ann Constantino. The accused, who were all members of the Technical Working […]
UAE government bans use of Skype
DUBAI, UAE — The government of the United Arab Emirates has blocked the access to the widely used free internet App-Skype- here. Skype, an internet application which allow users to make voice and video calls between people with computers, smart phones has been blocked by the UAE government which upsets many overseas users including Filipino […]
Customs employee fined P5,000 for SALN violation
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — For failure to file his Statement of Assets and Liability (SALN), a special agent of the Bureau of Customs was fined P5,000. This after customs Special Agent Wilfredo Sebastian was convicted by the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) of Pasay City on two counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code […]
Maestra ug driver sa motor Patay human natumbahan ug lubi
DAKBAYAN SA TAGBILARAN, BOHOL—- Magtutudlo ug driver sa motor patay human aksidenteng natumbahan og punoan sa lubi sa nasudnong dalan didto sa barangay Poblacion 2, lungsod sa Mabini niadtong Enero 5, 2017. Mga biktima giila nga sila si Jacel Dajalos y Barsibal, 24 anyos, dalaga, usa ka magtutudlo ug uyoan niini nga si Rogelio Barsibal […]
Tourism stakeholders petition to retain their directors
DAVAO CITY , Philippines — Tourism stakeholders from different regions affected by the recent memorandum transferring/reassigning their regional officials are up in arms for the retention of their officials. The petitioners claim tourism officers must come from their regions because they know the language and culture of their respective areas which makes tourism promotion earlier. […]
80K devotees join Black Nazarene procession
MANILA, Philippines — An estimated 80,000 devotees joined teh 2018 procession of the replicas of the Black Nazarene took place in Quiapo, Manila Sunday afternoon. Devotees gathered in front of the St. John the Baptist Church in Quiapo. Manila Police District spokesperson Supt. Erwin Margarejo estimated the crowd to reach 80,000. Margarejo said the procession route […]
27 tourism officials reassigned for still unknown reasons
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The regional directors and directors of regions producing high tourist arrivals were transferred and/or re-assigned for still unknown reasons. Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo in a Memorandum dated January 4, 2018 cited “In the exigency of service” as the reason for the reassignment and the memo “Shall take effect immediately.” The reshuffling […]
TRAIN in Ph = VAT in UAE
DUBAI, UAE —- IF Philippines implements TRAIN, the United Arab Emirates impements Value Added Tax (VAT) starting January 1, 2018 respectively. VAt here is a tax on the consumption or use of goods and services levied at the point of sale. It is a form of indirect tax and is used in more than 180 […]