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 […]
108-year-old grandma relishes long life with ‘malunggay’, camote tops
ECHAGUE, Isabela – Reaching the age of 108–and still counting, centenarian Juanita Cariaga of San Miguel, Echague, Isabela considers her longevity as a feat for herself. What is her secret? She told the Philippine News Agency that she has been fond of eating malunggay (horseradish) and camote tops, as well as other backyard-raised vegetables in her […]
Duterte, SAP Go discuss possible senatorial bid
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte and his long-time aide Christopher “Bong” Go are now discussing the Special Assistant to the President’s (SAP) potential senatorial bid, Malacanang said Monday. “Well, I understand, the President has broached it to SAP Go and it’s something that they are discussing between the two of them,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry […]
San Juanico Bridge to be lit up in November
TACLOBAN CITY — The San Juanico Bridge, the country’s longest, will be the first in the Philippines to have a new nighttime face with the approval of an PHP80-million budget to illuminate the 2.16-km. structure this year. Transforming the 45-year-old bridge would draw more visitors to Samar and Leyte provinces and attract tourism-related business in the […]
NBI files cyber libel raps vs. Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against online news website Rappler’s chief executive officer Maria Ressa and eight others in connection with the complaint filed by a businessman regarding an article it has published in 2012. In a transmittal letter signed by […]
DENR assures due process in eviction of violators in El Nido
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines –The local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here has said the eviction of establishments in El Nido with easement and other environmental law violations would not take effect without due process. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) chief Felizardo Cayatoc said this on Tuesday morning […]
Anti-big-scale mining coalition seeks mining law repeal
MANILA, Philippines — Anti-big-scale mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) is urging the government to replace Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 with a law that is “pro-Filipino and pro-environment”. ATM claimed the present law has paved the way for plunder of the country’s mineral wealth, as well as mining-related environmental destruction. […]
Charges filed vs 23 drug suspects arrested in Polomolok
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Police have filed charges Friday before the prosecutor’s office here against 23 persons arrested during anti-drug operation a day earlier in Polomolok, South Cotabato. Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, police regional director of Region 12, said illegal drugs, firearms and explosives recovered from 23 persons in five villages of Polomolok during […]
Comelec summons Aquino over immunization program
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) summoned former President Benigno Aquino 111 and several otehr officials in connection to the controversial dengue immunization program eve of the 2016 elections. Lawyer Manuelito Luna said of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) confirmed on Saturday that the Comelec has subpoenaed Aquino III and several other […]
Customs broker Taguba now under BJMP custody
MANILA, Philippines — Customs broker Mark Taguba is now under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in its detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Friday. NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46 issued the […]
NBI starts probe on Demafelis’ local recruiter
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday started its probe on the local recruitment agency of Joanna Daniela Demafelis, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was found dead inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait early last month. NBI National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Cesar Bacani invited two former […]
Zambo Norte wins SWAT team challenge
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Mobile Company (ZDNPMC) emerged champion in the recently-held 1st Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) SWAT Challenge. Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, on Tuesday said the ZDNPMC garnered a total of 1,650 statistical points in the five stages […]