Here are the latest news and events that happened today, Tuesday, February 07, 2023.

Makabayan bloc calls for dropping of charges vs. local journ Cumpio, activists

The Makabayan bloc has called for the charges against Tacloban City-based community journalist Frenchie May Cumpio and four other activists to be dropped, saying their detention is a use of law to stifle press freedom. House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel See more...

Kris Aquino sa kaniyang Kuya Noynoy: Best Kuya any bunso could've wished for

Sa nalalapit na kaarawan ng kaniyang namayapang kapatid na si dating Pangulong Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, bumati at humingi muli ng paumanhin si Kris Aquino sa kaniyang kuya dahil sa pagiging “brat” niya noon at nasayang na mga taon. Sa kaniyang Instagram, nag-post si Kris ng mga lumang larawan ng kanilang pamilya, na sinabing maaga na siyang bumati para makabawi See more...

Vergeire: One country to donate 300K of COVID-19 bivalent vaccines to Philippines

One country will be donating more than 300,000 doses of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccines to the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday. DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, did not yet identify the expected donor country as “ agreements are being finalized.” These additional 300,000 doses of the second-generation vaccines targeted against the Omicron variant will be on See more...

Marcos expects lowering of inflation rate after drop in prices of fuel, agri products

The inflation rate is expected to go down after the expected lowering of prices of fuel and agricultural products, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Tuesday. Marcos lamented that the inflation rate has continued to increase, adding that the efforts implemented by his administration "have not yet gone through the system." According to the President, the inflation rate is expected See more...

DOJ: Suspected Japanese robbery boss 'Luffy' to be deported Feb. 8

MANILA — Alleged Japanese robbery ringleader Yuki Watanabe, who authorities in Tokyo believe to be “Luffy,” is set to be deported on Wednesday evening, Feb. 8, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday. This, after a Pasay regional trial court dismissed the violence against women and children charges filed against Watanabe and fellow Japanese robbery suspect Tomonobu Saito, paving the See more...

Ending clan wars crucial to sustaining peace in Muslim south

A peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government has ended a decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao, but experts warn clan wars remain a threat to sustainable peace and development in the region. Clan wars, or rido, are recurring hostilities between families and kinship groups marked by a series of retaliatory acts of violence to See more...

Miley Cyrus continues Billboard top streak to 3rd week

American pop star Miley Cyrus continued her hot streak as she topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a third week in a row with her comeback single "Flowers." According to Billboard, "Flowers" drew 56.4 million radio airplay audience impressions, 48 million streams, and sold 37,000 last January 27 to February 2, citing figures from Luminate. "As magical as this moment See more...

Lalaking sumilip sa bahay at nagnakaw ng cellphone sa Caloocan, nahuli-cam

Nakuha sa CCTV ang pagsipat ng isang lalaki sa loob ng isang bahay, bago niya tangayin ang isang naka-charge na cellphone sa Caloocan City. Sa ulat ni Bam Alegre sa Unang Balita nitong Martes, sinabing nangyari ang insidente sa 12th Avenue pasado alas-dose ng tanghali. Kita sa CCTV ng bahay na dumaan ang suspek sa harap ng bahay na suot See more...

Lalaki, arestado matapos mahulihan ng mahigit P7M halaga ng hinihinalang shabu

Arestado ang isang lalaki sa Quezon City nitong Lunes ng gabi matapos siyang mahulihan ng mahigit P7 milyong halaga ng hinihinalang shabu. Nakilala ang suspek na si Ian Torres na nahuli sa buy-bust operation sa FPJ Avenue, ayon sa ulat ni James Agustin sa Unang Balita. Ang suspek ay ikalawang most wanted drug personality ng Quezon City Police District (QCPD). See more...

DENR, PhilSA to create database of natural resources

MANILA — The environment department and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) are teaming up to create a database of natural resources. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and PhilSA on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement to use satellite imagery in the creation of the national environment and natural resources geospatial database. “A geospatial platform is See more...

House passes bill on protection of workers in movie, TV, radio entertainment industry

The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed on third and final reading the proposed measure seeking the institution of policies for the protection and promotion of the welfare of workers or independent contractors in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry. A total of 240 House members voted "yes" to the passage of House Bill 1270 which sought to See more...

'Kailangan talagang tanggap niya': Ina, may payo sa single moms na nais umibig muli

MAYNILA — Maraming naging reservations si Louise Santos sa pagpasok sa relasyon noong single mother pa siya. "Todo-todo 'yung pag-iingat ko," sabi ni Santos sa programang "Sakto" sa TeleRadyo nitong Lunes. "Kailangan talagang tanggap niya kasi hindi puwedeng ako lang tapos half lang 'yung isa. Kailangan kumbaga total package siya." Kuwento ni Santos, nag-focus muna siya sa kaniyang anak noon See more...

Why Marjorie Barretto doesn’t want Leon to enter showbiz

MANILA – A firm Marjorie Barretto rejected the idea of his son Leon Barretto joining the entertainment industry. In a vlog of Leon, Marjorie was quick to say no when he asked about the possibility of him entering the showbiz just like her older sister Julia. “Oh, my God, please. I don’t like,” Marjorie told Leon. According See more...

George Clooney to remake hit French spy show 'The Bureau'

PARIS -- Hollywood star George Clooney is to direct an English-language remake of hit French spy series "The Bureau." The new version of the thriller that originally starred Mathieu Kassovitz will be called "The Department," and will begin production this year, US station Showtime announced on Monday. It compared it to "Homeland," another successful spy show that mixed espionage and See more...

Philippines to send team, aid to quake-hit Turkey —Marcos

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said an 85-man team would be deployed to Turkey to assist the victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the said country and Syria on Monday. According to Marcos, he is in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the deployment of assets. See more...

Marcos: Pay correct taxes on time, support economic recovery

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the Filipinos to pay taxes on time to help the country's road to economic recovery. "I encourage the public to pay the correct amount of taxes on time to support the country’s economic recovery and expansion so critical in this time," Marcos said at the launch of the 2023 National Tax See more...

Philippines records first cases of COVID variants XBB.1.5, CH.1.1

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippines has confirmed its first case of the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which experts said is the most transmissible form of COVID-19, a Department of Health report showed on Tuesday. Out of 1,078 samples sequenced by health authorities from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 196 were classified as XBB, including 1 case of XBB.1.5, the DOH said See more...

Lalaking anim na taong wanted sa kasong attempted rape, arestado sa Pasig

Arestado ang isang lalaki na halos anim na taong tinutugis ng pulisya sa kasong attempted rape sa Bulacan. Ayon sa ulat ni Emil Sumangil sa “24 Oras” nitong Marte naaresto ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - Detection and Special Operations Unit (CIDG - DSOU) sa Pasig City ang suspek na kinilalang si Erick Solis. “2017 pa actually nangyari, [pero] See more...

Vergeire: No discussions with Marcos yet on who will be next DOH chief

After expressing her willingness to be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday she has not yet discussed the matter with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Both Marcos and Vergeire met during the National Kidney and Transplant Institute’s (NKTI) celebration of its 40th founding anniversary on Monday, but the DOH official said See more...

Korean trot singer Young Tak performs on 'It's Showtime'

South Korean trot singer Young Tak graced the "It's Showtime" stage on Tuesday, as part of his series of promotional activities in the Philippines. The 39-year-old singer opened the noontime variety show with a performance of his hit single "Jjiniya." During his talk with the "It's Showtime" hosts, Young Tak said it was his first time in the Philippines, and See more...

Coast guard finds 29 violations of distressed Chinese vessel

The Coast Guard in Eastern Visayas found 29 violations of the Chinese vessel, MV Kai Da 899, which is still docked off San Pedro Bay in Tacloban City after being distressed last January 26 in Suluan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The district commander of the Philippine Coast Guard for Eastern Visayas, Commodore Romeo Polido, Jr., said that out of the See more...

End of shortage? Local PlayStation retailer announces ‘regular stocks’

MANILA - A local retailer of the Sony PlayStation 5 on Tuesday announced that it will be “having regular stocks” of the popular gaming console, which used to have a long waiting list of buyers. DataBlitz said people who want to buy a PS5 can visit any of its stores or buy from its e-commerce shop. The PS5 had See more...

248 Filipinos affected by 7.8-magnitude Turkey quake —envoy

At least 248 Filipinos in Turkey were affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the said country and Syria on Monday, according to the Philippine Embassy on Tuesday. Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Ambassador Maria Elena Algabre said so far, there have been no reported Filipino casualties due to the quake. “Ang mga Pilipino na 248 na nasa See more...

Envoy: Higit 200 Pinoy sa Turkey, naapektuhan ng 7.8-magnitude na lindol

Walang Pinoy na naiulat na nasawi sa 7.8 magnitude na lindol na tumama sa Turkey at kalapit nitong bansa na Syria. Pero tinatayang 248 na mga kababayan ang naapektuhan ng naturang kalamidad sa rehiyon, ayon sa Philippine Embassy doon. Sa panayam ng GMA News’ Unang Balita nitong Martes, sinabi ni Ambassador Maria Elena Algabre wala silang natatanggap na impormasyon tungkol See more...

DOH: ROTC curing mental health problems would vary for every learner

The possibility of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program curing mental health problems may not be applicable for all learners as every person has different needs to be mentally healthy, Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday. The health official made this remark when asked at a press conference for a comment on Defense Secretary Carlito See more...

ROTC cures mental health? Not the same for every person, DOH says

MANILA — "It's not going to be the same for every person." Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said this Tuesday when asked to comment on Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.'s remark that the Reserve Officer Training Corps could cure mental health problems. "Unang-una, hindi naman po ako psychiatrist o eksperto for me to understand and be able to See more...

4-anyos na bata, labis umano ang pagkahilig sa mentholated na pamahid

Sa loob ng isang araw, kaya umanong makaubos ng hanggang tatlong menthol rub ang isang batang apat na taong gulang sa Maguindanao na kaniyang ipinapahid sa iba't ibang bahagi ng katawan at inaamoy. Ang kaniyang mga magulang, labis nang nababahala. Sa nakaraang episode ng "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," makikita ang batang itinago sa pangalang "Joy," na umiiyak sa kaniyang ama See more...

Small asteroid 'serendipitously' detected using James Webb telescope

European astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected a previously unknown asteroid about the size of Rome's Colosseum in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid measuring between 300 and 650 feet (100 to 200 meters) in length is the smallest object observed to date using the telescope, the US space agency NASA said Monday. See more...

Why is Turkey an earthquake hot spot?

More than 3,500 people died and many more were injured in the massive earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday. The number of victims is expected to rise. Emergency workers are working around-the-clock to rescue people from the rubble, but they have to contend with adverse weather conditions. Temperatures in the affected areas frequently dip below freezing, and some See more...

Internet transactions bill reaches Senate plenary

The proposed Internet Transactions Act was sponsored in the Senate plenary on Tuesday. Senator Mark Villar, chairperson of the committee on trade, introduced Senate Bill 1846 which seeks to ensure that all goods and services transacted digitally will be as advertised, and that e-commerce transactions be reliable, secure, and accessible to all consumers. Villar said the most notable provision of See more...

Vergeire yet to discuss DOH chief post with Marcos Jr.

Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire has yet to discuss with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the possibility of being appointed as the agency's chief. Vergeire said Tuesday that both their schedules have been packed, and noted that it would be better to just wait for the President’s decision on the matter. “Wala kaming pag-uusap ukol dito. Parehong busy See more...

Arrested UP prof says police violated her rights

The University of the Philippines professor who was arrested for alleged non-remittance of Social Security System contributions on Tuesday accused the police of violating her rights to due process. “Merong paglabag sa aking karapatan at sa tinatawag nating due process,” Prof. Melania Flores said during a press conference. (There is a violation to my rights and what we call due See more...

AFP says no info received that Chinese vessels allegedly stalked Philippine ship

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it has not received information on a reported incident where at least 2 Chinese vessels allegedly tried to intercept a patrol mission by the Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio in the West Philippine Sea. “It was already confirmed by the PCG that the information did not come from See more...

Faith Da Silva, napatawad na ang kaniyang ama na si Dennis

Emosyonal na inihayag ni Faith Da Silva na napatawad na niya ang kaniyang amang nakakulong na si Dennis. May madamdaming din siyang mensahe para sa dating matinee idol. “Actually medyo matagal-tagal nang napatawad ko siya. I’ve made peace with fact na ‘yung buhay na meron ako ay hindi normal. He has his own family now,” sabi ni Faith sa Fast See more...

Inflation sa Enero, tumaas pa sa 8.7%; higit sa inaasahan ng BSP

Inanunsyo ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) nitong Martes na sumirit sa 8.7% ang inflation rate nitong Enero, 2023. Higit ito sa inaasahan ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) na nasa 7.5% hanggang 8.3% lang. Ang 8.7% January 2023 inflation rate ay mas mataas sa 8.1% na naitala noong December 2022. Sa press briefing, sinabi ni National Statistician at PSA chief See more...

OFW, naka-jackpot sa lotto sa Dubai; ang premyo, katumbas ng mahigit P200-M

Maraming Pinoy ang nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa sa pag-asang makahanap doon ng suwerte upang maiahon sa hirap ang mga mahal sa buhay. Pero ang isang overseas Filipino worker sa Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), hindi lang basta sinuwerte, naka-jackpot pa sa lotto na 15 million dirhams ang premyo, o katumbas ng mahigit P200 milyon. Sa nakaraang episode ng "Kapuso Mo, See more...

Health shorts: Sports programs for kids, mental health song, and more

MANILA -- Check out some of the latest news related to health, fitness, and wellness. These are not endorsed by ABS-CBN News. MENTAL HEALTH SONG RELEASED Telehealth service provider KonsultaMD recently launched the mental health song "I Want To Be Here," which aims to encourage the younger generation to speak up and seek help. The track was performed by See more...

House eyes more evidence-based policies, inks MOA with Ateneo for research

The House of Representatives on Tuesday vowed to pursue more evidence-based legislation after inking a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Economics and Center for Economic Research and Development. The pact, titled Evidence-Based Research Project, was signed by House leaders led by Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ. “It has been See more...

Poe urges DOTr, MIAA to address ‘Bukas Maleta’ incidents

Senator Grace Po filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to address the "Bukas Maleta" incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). "'Bukas Maleta' incidents in our airports should not be the norm and must be properly address by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority, in See more...

AFP gearing up for PH-US Balikatan exercises in April

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is gearing up for this year’s Balikatan exercises with the United States amid a refreshed security alliance between the two countries. The Balikatan is the largest annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the AFP with the US Armed Forces. “The AFP and the US Armed Forces are once See more...

Marcos: Philippines to send rescue team, aid to quake-stricken Turkey

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) - The Philippines will send medical and rescue assistance to Turkey following a deadly earthquake, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said on Tuesday. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near the Turkish city of Gaziantep before dawn on Monday, killing more than 4,800 people in Turkey and neighboring Syria. Marcos said 85 Philippine personnel, including health workers and See more...

What we know about the Turkey and Syria earthquake

A large earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and neighboring Syria in the early hours of Monday, devastating cities and killing and injuring thousands. Here's what we know about the disaster so far: - When and where - The first 7.8-magnitude quake struck at 04:17 am (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 18 kilometers (11 miles) near the Turkish city of See more...

Zubiri: RCEP ratification possible within February

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday he expects the chamber to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade deal involving Asia-Pacific nations, including the Philippines, within this month. "We are looking at a [technical working group] within this weekend [and] up to next week. It could be sponsored on the floor, hopefully, either on Wednesday (next See more...

Bill amending law on AFP officers' fixed term sponsored in Senate plenary

The bill limiting the coverage of the three-year fixed term in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was sponsored in the Senate plenary on Tuesday. Senate national defense committee chairman Jinggoy Estrada reported out Senate Bill 1849 containing Committee Report No. 23 which seeks to amend Republic Act 11709. Under SB 1849, the tour of duty will be limited See more...

Slime robot looks like 'Spider-man' villain's venom symbiote

Remember Spider-Man's enemy that originated from a venom symbiote or black goo in the "Spider-Man 3" movie with Tobey Maguire? Or how about Tom Hardy's alter ego in "Venom"? Believe it or not, that venom symbiote now exists in real life! The black magnetic slime robot was formed at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It's made from neo See more...

Nora Aunor to return to big screen with Alfred Vargas

Nora Aunor is returning to the big screen very soon! According to Lhar Santiago's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, the one and only Superstar will be working on a film with Alfred Vargas. Nora said she has been hospitalized several times last year, so she almost lost hope that she can still return to acting. "Ito ay parang handog ko See more...

DOH logs 67 new COVID-19 cases; active tally down to 9,268

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday logged 67 new COVID-19 infections, only the third time since April 2020 of a two-digit new daily case total. According to the DOH’s latest figures, the country’s COVID-19 tally is currently at 4,073,980. The tally of active cases has decreased to 9,268, from 9,338 on Monday. Tuesday's 67 new cases is the third See more...

Gabbi Garcia honored with Taiwan Tourism Award

Gabbi Garcia has received an award from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Attending the ceremony in a bright red tube dress and a pulled-back hairstyle, the Kapuso It Girl received the award For Contributions to the Promotion of Taiwan Incentive Travel. “My heart is full! To be recognized for your hard work is truly an honor,” the actress said in her See more...

Khalil Ramos shares BTS shots on last taping day of 'Maria Clara at Ibarra'

Khalil Ramos is a brilliant actor who portrays Basilio in "Maria Clara at Ibara," but he is also a splendid photographer in real life. During the last taping day of the historical portal fantasy series, Khalil shared photos he took through his lens while on the set. First in the series of photos was Barbie Forteza, who gives life to See more...

'It's reasonable': Marcos agrees with proposals to hike tax on luxury items

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he agrees with proposals to increase the tax on luxury items, adding that demand for these goods continues despite high prices. Speaking to reporters in Pasay, Marcos said the proposal was "reasonable." "I think because right now the tax on luxury goods only covers very specific items. And luxury See more...

Pinoy survivors sa Turkey quake nananawagan ng tulong

MANILA - Nakipagsiksikan sa kubol kasama ang asawang Turkish at pamilya sa gitna ng zero degree temperature ang Pinay na si Caroline Cengiz. Isa si Cengiz sa mga biktima nang tumama ang magnitude 7.8 na lindol sa South Central Turkey na malapit sa Syria border. Bumagsak ang unang palapag ng gusaling tinitirhan nila sa Hatay province. Ang See more...

Vermeer shines at 'once in history' Amsterdam show

AMSTERDAM -- The Dutch master Johannes Vermeer himself never got the chance to see so many of his paintings in the same place. Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum has brought together 28 of Vermeer's luminous masterpieces from around the world, in the largest-ever exhibition of the 17th century artist's works. Curators hope the blockbuster show, featuring some three-quarters of his modest output of See more...

Kim, Bela reunite with Angelica in baptism of Panganiban’s baby

MANILA – Kim Chiu and Bela Padilla reunited with their “momsy” Angelica Panganiban during the baptism of the latter's child. Chiu took to Instagram to share a compilation of what happened during the christening of Panganiban and Gregg Homan’s first child. “Welcome to the Christian world baby bean! congratulations momsy @iamangelicap and @gregg_homan sa napakagandang bata na si bean,” See more...

Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne has advice for Bb. Pilipinas 2023 candidates

MANILA -- Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne helped choose this year's batch of Binibining Pilipinas candidates. Also part of the judging panel during the screening were Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman, Miss CosmoWorld 2022 Meiji Cruz, and reigning Bb. Pilipinas queens Nicole Borromeo, Gabrielle Basiano, Roberta Tamondong, Chelsea Fernandez, and Stacey Gabriel. "I had the absolute pleasure of See more...

Rushdie releases new novel, 6 months after knife attack

LONDON -- Six months after being stabbed, British author Salman Rushdie on Tuesday publishes his new novel "Victory City", an "epic tale" of a 14th-century woman who defies a patriarchal world to rule a city. Written before the US knife attack that nearly took the Indian-born author's life, the novel purports to be a translation of a historical epic See more...

Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio plan to expand cafe business

MANILA – Celebrity couple Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte are not just romantically involved but are also business partners During their stint on “Magandang Buhay,” the two revealed that the uncertainty of the pandemic spurred them to go into business. In 2022, Andalio and Alonte opened a cafe in Cavite and are now constructing the second branch in See more...

GMA Network reaches more Filipinos on-air and online, leads in content in 2022

Media giant GMA Network continued to widen its viewership and reach for Full Year 2022, while further strengthening its dominance across online platforms. Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data from January to December 2022, GMA Network’s combined people net reach, including GTV and its other digital channels, was at 96 percent or 78 million viewers in Total Philippines. GMA, See more...

Altai mining firm says 'voluntarily' halting exploration, testing activities in Sibuyan

MANILA — Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (APMC) on Monday said it is voluntarily stopping all exploration and testing activities on Sibuyan Island in Romblon. The development comes after fierce opposition from residents and environmental groups who have said the firm's mining activity would cause long-term impact on the ecosystem of the so-called "Galapagos Islands" of the Philippines. In a statement See more...

UN expert to launch forensic program for gov’t doctors, authorities — Remulla

Forensic expert and United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz will launch a program to improve the capacity of government doctors and authorities on forensic pathology in the country, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday. “We invited Dr. Tidball-Binz to come over, to help us build capacity so that we will have program for the doctors of the See more...

Stricter regulation of alcohol sale, task force sought to address teen pregnancies

Stricter regulations on alcohol sale and the creation of a task force to implement the government's national action plan are among the suggestions that senators discussed Tuesday to address teenage pregnancies in the country. At a Senate hearing, Senator Imee Marcos asked the government institutions for updates on the implementation of Executive Order 141, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, See more...

Philippines deports 2 wanted Japanese nationals

The Philippine government deported Tuesday morning Japanese fugitives Toshiya Fujita and Kiyoto Imamura back to Japan. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday their flight was around 9 a.m. on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 via Japan Airlines flight 746. They were escorted by Japanese police who arrived in the country last night. The two were See more...

Remulla: Immigration Bureau’s Port Operations Division to be deactivated

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is set to sign an order deactivating the Port Operations Division of the Bureau of Immigration. On Tuesday, Remulla told reporters that centralizing port operations under one person is one of the "defects" of the immigration system in the country. "I'm about to sign an order that will deactivate one office in the Bureau See more...

Nintendo cuts profit forecasts as chip shortage hits Switch sales

TOKYO - Nintendo cut its full-year profit forecasts on Tuesday, saying the global chip shortage had dampened Switch sales, with analysts warning of waning momentum for the hit console nearly six years after its release. New games have performed well, the Japanese company said, including "Splatoon 3" and "Pokemon Scarlet and Violet", which in November scored the highest global sales See more...

Visual artist-Navy reservist Kristine Lim leads National Arts Month celebration

MANILA -- Missionary visual artist and Philippine Navy reservist Kristine Lim recently led the celebration of National Arts Month. She launched her solo show at the Manila Clock Tower Museum as part of the "Kuwento ng Alon" international exhibit tour, where she interprets the songs of composer Jonathan Manalo. The said exhibit is set to make stops in Australia, Japan, See more...

Pay up to 12 months? BNPL player Atome eyes extending payments scheme

MANILA - Buy now pay later (BNPL) firm Atome said Tuesday it is planning to move beyond pay-in-3 deferred payments, and will soon launch multi-tenure plans of 6 and 12 months. Atome said this was in response to strong demand and interest from both retailers and consumers. The company said merchandise sales through its platform have boomed by 30 See more...

LOOK: Star-studded screening of Coco Martin’s ‘Batang Quiapo’

MANILA – It is safe to say that Coco Martin’s TV comeback is not only anticipated by fans but also by personalities in showbiz. On Tuesday, the upcoming ABS-CBN series “Batang Quiapo” held its celebrity screening at TriNoma mall. Martin and his leading lady Lovi Poe led the event along with Charo Santos, John Estrada, and Cherry Pie Picache. See more...

'Nandito kami': MC gets group hug from 'Showtime' family in touching moment

MANILA — In a touching moment on "It's Showtime" on Tuesday, comedian MC was given reassuring words and a group hug by his co-hosts, after Vice Ganda noticed he appeared to be in low spirits. During the "Girl on Fire" segment of the noontime program, Vice Ganda brought up a Facebook post of MC addressed to someone specific. While neither See more...

Senate to set guidelines before ratifying RCEP trade deal

MANILA - The Senate will form a technical working group to help decide whether to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. This was the Senate's decision after holding a hearing on Tuesday with various agricultural groups and government representatives. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said guidelines need to be set to See more...

Carla Abellana on marrying Tom Rodriguez: 'Talagang nagsisisi ako'

MANILA – Carla Abellana turned candid as she reminisced about her failed marriage with Tom Rodriguez. As part of a lie-detector challenge for Bea Alonzo's vlog, Abellana was asked if she ever regrets getting married. “Hindi pa ako natatanong niyan… Lagi kong nire-ready 'yung sarili ko sa question na iyan na wala pa namang nagtatanong tapos hindi ko rin naman See more...

DOH: 80 of 81 Philippine provinces now malaria-free

During a Tuesday press conference, Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that 80 out of 81 provinces in the Philippines were now malaria-free, with Palawan the only province where malaria cases were detected in the past several years. Most provinces had been declared malaria-free since 1995, with Cebu, Bohol, and Catanduanes tagged as “malaria-free historically.” Oriental Mindoro, Rizal, See more...

Palace announces latest appointments in LWUA, OP

Malacañang on Tuesday announced the latest appointments under the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Vicente Homer Revil was named as acting administrator and member of the Board of Trustees of the Local Water Utilities Administration. His date of appointment was February 6, 2023, the PCO said. Jovy Bernabe was appointed as See more...

Catriona Gray denies she's now married to Sam Milby

MANILA – Beauty queen Catriona Gray admitted that she was surprised when she saw on social media last month that there were reports of her being married to actor Sam Milby. “I was surprised to read about me getting married just when the 71st Miss Universe pageant was taking place,” Gray said, as quoted by Inquirer. “I guess there will See more...

Scientists concerned spread of bird flu to mink signals growing threat to humans

It started in October 2022, when several dead mink were discovered on a farm in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Veterinarians initially blamed the coronavirus. But tests revealed that the highly pathogenic avian flu virus H5N1 was the culprit. To stop the spread of the dangerous pathogen, more than 50,000 mink on the farm were killed. While farm workers themselves were See more...

Philippines detects one case of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5

The Philippines has detected one case of the highly contagious Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday. Based on the 1,078 samples sequenced by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) last January 30 to February 3, 2023, at least 196 Omicron XBB subvariant See more...

8.7 percent inflation in January is 'as high as it's going to get', Marcos says

MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Tuesday the measures implemented by the government have yet to make an impact on the inflation rate, which again quickened in January. "As I said, the importation of many of the agricultural products, which have been a large part of the inflation rate... we have already taken some measures so that the See more...

Poultry, agri groups call for clear sector development path before RCEP ratification

Poultry and agriculture producers on Tuesday asked the government to give a “clear path for development” for their sectors before the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). During the Senate committee hearing, United Broiler Raisers Association President Jose Inciong said there was only a path for “importation development.” “Before you ratify, patupad ninyo muna yung design, patupad ninyo See more...

Rains expected over Philippines due to Amihan, localized thunderstorms

The northeast monsoon (Amihan) and the localized thunderstorms will continue to bring rains in various parts of the country, weather bureau PAGASA reported Tuesday. Based on its 24-hour public forecast, PAGASA said the Amihan is affecting extreme Northern Luzon, bringing cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol Region, Aurora, and Quezon. It will also bring partly See more...

Google unveils ChatGPT rival Bard, AI search plans in battle with Microsoft

Google owner Alphabet Inc on Monday said it will launch a chatbot service and more artificial intelligence for its search engine as well as developers, an answer to Microsoft Corp in their rivalry to lead a new wave of computing. Microsoft, meanwhile, said it planned its own AI reveal for Tuesday. The cascade of news reflects how Silicon Valley is See more...

Inflation climbs to 8.7% in Jan. 2023, highest since Nov. 2008 —PSA

Prices of consumer goods and services continued their upward trajectory in the first month of 2023, hitting a fresh record as food prices remained elevated during the period, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday showed. Inflation, or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services, clocked in at 8.7% in January 2023, the See more...

Agri officer testifies vs. Enrile, Napoles in PDAF scam

A municipal agriculturist testified Tuesday in the plunder and graft cases of former senator and now Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, his former senate chief of staff Gigi Reyes and former businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles. Witness Leonora Bolinas testified through her judicial affidavit that her town, Doña Remedios Trinidad, did not receive any agricultural package from the Priority Development See more...

Group seeks end to ‘destructive’ mining, commends Sibuyan Island protesters

An environmental group on Tuesday called for an end to “destructive” mining in the country, denouncing the police's “violent” dispersal of protesters on Sibuyan Island. The Earth Island Institute Philippines (EIIP) issued the call after police broke through a barricade of residents to allow a mining company's trucks to pass, during the residents' ongoing protest on the island in Romblon See more...

DND, AFP defend military expansion deal with US

MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday defended the expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States. The expansion, which involves the addition of 4 EDCA sites on top of the 5 predetermined locations when the agreement was signed in 2014, was announced See more...

Love of sea turtles turns Philippine poachers into protectors

LA UNION - Armed with a wooden stick, a bucket and a headlamp, Philippine construction worker Johnny Manlugay hunts every night for the eggs of sea turtles on the pristine beaches of the northern province of La Union. The 55-year-old can easily spot nesting sites, having been trained in his youth by his grandfather how to track the animals and See more...