MANILA— The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) to reconsider its position against mandatory drug testing on students after Education Secretary Leonor Briones rejected the proposal anew. “Unfortunately, the last meeting with our counterparts from the Department of Education did not win the nod of the Honorable […]
Inter-religious group calls for solidarity amid terror attacks
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Christian and Muslim leaders here came together in time for the World Interfaith Harmony Week to denounce the recent bombings in some parts of Mindanao, as they called on all sectors to unite in the face of violence that many feared aims to sow sectarian discord. During an interfaith prayer rally […]
Bello hopeful Duterte will sign expanded maternity leave bill
MANILA — Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III is confident that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign into law a proposed measure that will extend the maternity leave for female workers in the country. Bello noted that the bill is a priority legislation for the DOLE. “We strongly support its passage into law […]
Sarangani partners with academe, NGOs for watershed project
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of Sarangani has forged a partnership with the state-run Mindanao State University (MSU) and two other non-government organizations for the implementation of the PHP103-million watershed rehabilitation project in Maitum town. Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said Friday he signed memoranda of agreement earlier this week with MSU, Mahintana Foundation, […]
Davao del Norte town declares Satur Ocampo ‘persona non grata’
DAVAO CITY — Former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and 17 others are no longer welcome in Talaingod municipality after local officials declared them “persona non grata” following last year’s incident involving the alleged trafficking of tribal students. A resolution unanimously approved by the Talaingod Municipal Council on January 14 cited the November 2018 incident when […]
Jolo blast victim dies in Zambo hospital
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The death toll in the January 27 twin blasts that hit a church in Jolo, Sulu has reached 22 and the wounded at 101, a military official said Friday. Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said Thelma Villanueva, 68, died while undergoing medical treatment on Thursday. Besana said Villanueva, […]
No turning back for Manila Bay rehab: Cimatu
MANILA — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday said there’s no turning back for the planned rehabilitation of the historic Manila Bay. Cimatu led an estimated 5,000-strong contingent of public and private sector representatives, who committed to help rehabilitate Manila Bay to save it from further environmental degradation. He afterwards […]
Economic managers to endorse infra exemption from election ban
MANILA — Economic managers will formally endorse to President Rodrigo R. Duterte next week the exemption of infrastructure projects from the election spending ban, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday. During the weekly press event Breakfast with Ben, Diokno said economic managers will submit a memorandum to the President to ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) […]
4 persons of interest in Jolo Chuch bombing surrender
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four persons of interest in the double bomb attack on a church in Jolo, Sulu have surrendered to authorities to clear their names, a military official said Wednesday. Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, identified them as Alshaber Arbi, 18; Gerry Isnajil, whose age was not provided; Alsimar Mohammad […]
Duterte leads groundbreaking of new Malabon hospital
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital (SLRGH) in Panghulo, Malabon City. Duterte, in his speech, described the hospital’s expansion from a 10-bed capacity to a 200-bed capacity general hospital as a “promising development.” He said the hospital will serve […]
11th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship set next month
DAVAO CITY (January 29) — Kidapawan City will host the 11th Open Chess Championship next month with bigger prizes up for grabs. To be held on Feb. 24 and 25 at the Kidapawan Convention Center, the tournament has a total of PHP95,000 cash prizes at stake. The champion will earn PHP25,000 plus a trophy while the […]
Gov’t to determine if Jolo bombing linked to BOL: Esperon
MANILA — National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Sunday said that the government is still trying to determine if the twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu is related to the recently ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “We have yet to establish if the two explosions are related to the all-important BOL,” Esperon told reporters in a […]
House OKs medical marijuana bill on 2nd reading
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a proposed bill allowing the use of medical marijuana in the country. House Bill 6517 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis, which was principally authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, has the support of President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. […]