TABUK CITY, Philippines — The provincial government here will attempt for a Guinness world record for the most number of gongs gathered and being played at one time at the 2018 “Aweng chi Gangza” ( The Call of a Thousand Gongs) Bodong Festival during the 23rd foundation of the province on February 14. Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac in […]
2 Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Zamboanga mall
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) at a shopping mall in this city, a top police official said Saturday. Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested suspects as Emran Ismael, who carries the aliases of Bantong Basintin […]
Palace welcomes higher PH ranking in world’s most powerful passports
MANILA, Philippines — Palace welcomes higher PH ranking in world’s Malacañang on Saturday welcomed the country’s climb in the latest Henley and Partners Passport Index, which ranks all of the world’s passports according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free. The Philippines rose three notches higher to 72nd place in 2018 […]
Central Bank addressing BDO card fraud mess
MANILA, Philippines –— The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has allayed fears of some BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) clients who reported loss of money from online transactions they allegedly did not conduct personally. BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said officials of BDO have reported to the central bank about the unauthorized withdrawals. “We requested some […]
Construction of P350-M rehab center in Sarangani starts
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Ground works for the construction of the China-funded P350 million regional drug treatment and rehabilitation center in Alabel town in Sarangani Province started here yesterday, January 12, 2018. The Chinese government, through project implementer China Aid, tapped state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd. (CSCEC) to build the facility […]
DoT revamp worries Davao tourism sector
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The major shakeup in the Department of Tourism (DoT) stirred opposition from the tourism sector given its cost to the industry, especially in Davao. City Tourism Officer Generose Tecson confirmed various associations and tourism councils nationwide had submitted their respective positions in the reshuffling at the national and regional offices. DoT […]
I-ACT apprehends 244 road unworthy PUVs
MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) apprehended 244 public utility vehicles (PUVs) during the first day of the full implementation of the ‘Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok’ campaign to flag down road unworthy public transport in compliance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) last Wednesday. The council said in a statement Thursday that it […]
Congress to ensure free tuition only for deserving students
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will ensure ensure that state funds allocated for the government’s free college tuition program would be used only on deserving students and not wasted on malingerers and recidivist absentees or ‘bulakbol’ students. House Appropriations Committee Chair Karlo Nograles said state and local colleges and universities should not become “Iskul […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ati-Atihan fest pays tribute to Mindanao
KALIBO, Aklan- The 2018 Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival version pays tribute to Mindanao and its people, its organizers here said on Friday. Albert Menez, chairman of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation Incorporated (KASAFI), said in a press conference that colorful flags similar to the colors of Mindanao are being installed in the major thoroughfares […]
PDEA Academy needs 5,000 applicants
SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Academy formally opens on Friday 5,000 slots for applicants to the Drug Enforcement Officer Basic Course (DEOBC) Qualifying Examinations. To apply, interested individuals must be 21-35 years of age with a minimum of 5’2’ height for males and 5’ for females. Applicants must also be a […]
Dan Isleta is new Army chief of staff
MANILA, Philippines — Brig. Gen. Danilo “Chad” D. Isleta was appointed as Philippine Army (PA) chief of staff during change of command ceremonies in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Thursday morning. He replaced Major Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay, who was appointed head of the Tarlac-based Mechanized Infantry Division. Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson said the ceremony […]