MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) on Monday started the recount of votes for the electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. SC spokesman Theodore Te said the principal objective of this exercise is to ascertain the number […]
FVR visits fellow veterans at the VMMC
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who just celebrated his 90th birthday last month, spent part of the Holy Week by visiting fellow veterans confined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City on Saturday. After playing a round of golf at the VMC golf course, Ramos went straight to the veterans’ […]
Palace : Deployment ban to Kuwait stays until MOA is signed
MANILA, Philippines — The deployment ban to Kuwait stays until a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the minimum terms and conditions of employment of Philippine nationals in Kuwait is reached or signed, Malacañang announced Monday. “As you know [Labor] Secretary [Silverstre] Bello and other cabinet members will be leaving for Kuwait on the 7th, which means that […]
Congressman Baguilat enters ‘not guilty’ plea to graft charges
MANILA, Philippines — Ifugao Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat, Jr. on Monday entered before the Sandiganbayan a plea of “not guilty” over the allegedly overpriced purchase of a second-hand vehicle for his province in 2003. During his conditional arraignment at the Sandiganbayan 5th Division, Baguilat pleaded “not guilty” of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. […]
Bello: Recall of HK labor attaché part of due process
MANILA — Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III explained that the recall of Hong Kong Labor Attache Jalilo dela Torre is part of the due process as they are investigating the complaint against the latter. In an interview, he noted that the decision is not a penalty, as the probe is […]
Aklan residents appeal : Don’t close Boracay
BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Residents and establishment owners here coalesced and asked the government not to close the island. In an attempt to save the island from closure, the group claimed they are open for rehabilitation but not closure. This is after the inter-agency task force composed of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources […]
Filipina assumes top UN post in Cambodia
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday announced that Filipina Pauline Tamesis, has assumed the highest ranking post in the United Nations system in Cambodia. As UN Resident Coordinator, Tamesis will oversee the UN family of more than 20 specialized agencies, as well as affiliated programmes and funds, in Cambodia. At a welcome […]
Aguirre on ouster calls: ‘I still enjoy Duterte’s trust’
MANILA, Philippines – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said he is ready to step down once President Rodrigo R. Duterte tells him so. Aguirre made this reaction amid calls for him to resign following the dismissal of drug cases against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, Peter Lim and their accomplices. He […]
Duterte to “ultimately” decide on divorce bill
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has not yet indicated what he will do “as president” once the proposed divorce bill reaches his desk, Malacanang said Tuesday. “I think, I made public his personal views on divorce, but he has not indicated what he will do officially as president. So he articulated his personal perceptions on […]
PH airports ready for passenger influx on Holy Week
MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said all the 37 airports that it manages are ready for the passenger influx this coming Holy Week. All the area managers handling these airports across the country were told maximum deployment of service and security personnel must be ensured during Holy Week. CAAP […]
4 dead, 14 hurt as fire razes Manila Pavilion Hotel
MANILA, Philippines – At least four persons were confirmed dead while 14 others were injured in a fire that razed the Manila Pavilion casino in Ermita, Manila on Sunday. The authorities have identified the two casualties, but the other two remain unidentified. The four were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The injured victims […]
PH, Kuwait to sign MOU on OFW protection this month
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine and Kuwaiti governments are set to sign this month the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). This, after labor officials from both countries approved the final MOU draft on Friday in Manila. “In two weeks, the panels agreed to have the signing most likely […]
High teen pregnancy rate in NorMin alarms POPCOM
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines –Northern Mindanao’s teenage pregnancy rate is higher than the national average. Commission on Population (POPCOM) Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez bared this on Wednesday, even as he called on parents to take an active role in addressing the problem. Perez presented the results of the National Demographic Health Survey of […]